Besides my friends, I first heard about how great Lauryn Hill was when Matt
Redman said he really liked her music during an interview on cMusicWeb.com.
Since then, I have to admit that I never checked her music out, but did
listen to some of this casually at a friend's house recently. So, do not
consult me, but get it straight from our hip-hop source, Jon!

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UNPLUGGED - LAURYN HILL (2002)
by Jonathan Corbin

Lauryn Hill has grown up right before our eyes, bringing us incredible depth
and fashionable hip-hop, first with The Fugees and then as a solo artist.
Hill has been known for her incredibly powerful voice, soul-stinging lyrics
and in her later years, much controversy. She killed us softly back in 1996.
She warned us about that thing in '98. She reintroduced us to Bob Marley
just two years ago. Now she is bringing us a new message, one so powerful it
had to be kept under wraps. She hasn't delivered an album in over four
years, but now hip-hop diva Lauryn Hill emerges again in unexpected fashion
to tell the world: "It's freedom time."

Lauryn Hill Unplugged is a collection of new songs that literally document
Hill's life over the past four years. She says during one of the album's
many interludes, "These songs are about me first." Indeed they are. We
listen with baited breath as the former Fugee exorcises past demons with her
guitar and words of enlightenment. She speaks directly to the traps of life
that had "made her a prisoner" in "Mr. Intentional." The record's first song
logs in at seven minutes. In fact, only a handful of Hill's songs are less
than five minutes on this double disc, with more than 100 minutes of music
and testimony.

Testify she does. Lauryn Hill is giving us an intimate window into her
world, her head and her heart. "I Find It Hard To Say" was originally
intended as a response to the shooting of Amadou Diallo in New York.
However, it is calmly explained to us that the song transformed itself into
one that serves as a marking post for a radical change in Hill's life. She
moves from her visions of humanity ("Adam Lives In Theory," "Oh Jerusalem")
to her new perspective on life in "Just Like Water" and "Just Want You
Around." These songs are direct responses to God's tug on this young lady's
life. She freely opens up to the crowd about how she has given up trying to
maintain a pristine public persona and simply live her life as God would
intend. The first disc ends with the nine minute tune "I Gotta Find Peace of
Mind." Her passionate cry is absolutely moving as she weeps when singing of
the "wonderful, merciful God."

As the second disc opens, Hill regains her composure and builds on her
message for people to "free their minds" from a world system that oppresses
their individuality. She continues on for twelve minutes, taking every
opportunity to direct the focus back to God. Using the analogy of the
American Justice system, Lauryn breaks into one of only two hip-hop verses
in "Mystery of Iniquity." Hill proves to everyone that she can still rap,
dubbing herself a "hip-hop folk singer," as she brings the house down with a
scorching hot verse chastising corrupt messages portrayed by popular
society. From there we see her reggae influence with "I Get Out," inspired
by Ziggy Marley with a very personal Lauryn Hill musical stamp. As the album
winds down, Hill's voice gradually worsens. She misses notes altogether as
she struggles to finish.

However, Hill will be the first to tell you that she doesn't mind. This is
not a musician's project. Instead, it is a revelation to the masses of life
lessons from one who has learned many of them the hard way. She admits that
she is through trying to front, evidenced by the many missed notes and the
occasional restarting of songs. This is real life and Lauryn Hill has been
sent to encourage us to live it again. Just like those in the audience, this
record will mean something different to everyone who listens. The testimony
of her life that has been touched by God will serve as a great encouragement
to many. This album is a must, not simply for musical enjoyment but as food
for the soul.

Note: This album contains one mild profanity and the use of the phrase 'O My
God' used in context of describing a relationship. Discernment must be used
for all those who might consider this offensive.


CREATION EAST IS DONE...CREATION WEST IS COMING
Last week was a great time at Creation East in Pennsylvania. We have word
that a couple important announcements were made, and we will have news
posted on cMusicWeb.com about those very soon. Coming later this month is
Creation West in Washington, another half-week of tons of artists, lots of
camping, and lots of fun.
http://www.creationfest.com/


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JUNE 18 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

THE ART AND CRAFT OF POPULAR MUSIC - JOY ELECTRIC
No contest here. This amazing collection of Joy Electric's best work into a
2-disc, 34-track set leaves not much to be desired, aside from the next
release from the acclaimed techno-rockers. It's the PICK OF THE WEEK, of
course!

I COULD SING OF YOUR LOVE FOREVER KIDS - VARIOUS
The modern version of those "Wee Sing Praise" kids tapes, this disc is 12
tracks of today's modern worship favorites recorded with the kids singing
them. It's perfect for the kids at home to sing along with, but not for much
else.

LIFESTYLE - THE KATINAS
The Katina brothers have been leading worship for years, and Gotee has
finally made a CD out of their worship events. Most of the tracks on here
are familiar songs, but expect a bit of a different flavor to them.

THE MADNESS OF THE CROWDS - ACE TROUBLESHOOTER
From the looks of the cover, the boys in Ace Troubleshooter are looking to
imitate the quirky Relient K style. Well, they are just another punk rock
band, so maybe it will work.

RETROSPECTIVE - GHOTI HOOK
Here we have fourteen of the best tracks in Ghoti Hook's punk rock career.

THRIVE: LIVE FROM THE ROCK AND ROOL HALL OF FAME - THE NEWSBOYS
If you missed the PAX TV special, then buy the DVD! However, there's
probably no extras.


AVAILABLE TUESDAY, JULY 2 (at cMusicWeb.com or your local music store)

CONTACT - THE BENJAMIN GATE
Even bolder rock sounds and more experienced songwriting make this a major
release of 2002. Be sure you make contact with this PICK OF THE WEEK.

TURN THE TIDES - 38TH PARALLEL
Not as hardcore as their Squint predecessors Chevelle, 38th Parallel
nevertheless brings intelligent punk rock to the airwaves on their first
release.


WIN CREATION STUFF
More winners will be chosen for the Creation Festival giveaway this week, so
check your e-mail often to find an e-mail from us! And, congratulations to
Kelsey from West Virginia for winning the final prize pack from the Rebecca
St. James contest.


OTHER NEW STUFF ON cMUSICWEB.COM
Review: Can You Hear Us? - David Crowder Band
http://cMusicWeb.com/worship/davidcrowderband/canyouhearus.shtml

Review: Slick Shoes (self-titled)
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/slickshoes/slickshoes.shtml

Review: Behind Enemy Lines
http://cMusicWeb.com/movies/behindenemylines

Review: Factors of the Seven - GRITS
http://cMusicWeb.com/hiphop/grits/factorsofthe7.shtml

Review: Blender - Collective Soul
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock/collectivesoul/blender.shtml

Feature: Denison Marrs - Lessons in Convalescence
http://cMusicWeb.com/features/denisonmarrs

Review: Hooray for Now - Viva Voce
http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative/vivavoce/hoorayfornow.shtml

Review: The Sum of All Fears
http://cMusicWeb.com/movies/sumofallfears


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
- steve Undergoing Band Member Changes
- Several CCM Artists Join Push for Relief in Africa
- And more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


Thanks for reading this week's cMusicMail, and we'll be back next week with
even more great content. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd love to hear
from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music