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Firmly out of the underground by the time Electric Circus came out in late 2002, Common takes the vision to the next level, employing high-profile producers ?uestlove, Dilla (Jay Dee), and the Neptunes. It's no surprise that the ?uestlove tracks push the most unclaimed territory. The Roots' Phrenology record, which appeared concurrent with Electric Circus, also flips the script on preconceived notions of beats and rhymes. Frequently the new sound on both records is pushed into a strange, sometimes aggressive, blunted rock/soul hybrid that still pulls the line for able-bodied MCs. Then there's also the Neptunes' tracks here, which are perfectly suited for MTV and urban radio. The Mary J. Blige duet, "Come Close," is a slow-paced dialogue between Common and Blige that borders on typical, but will still find a great number of fans. "Electric Wire Hustler Flower" is the true centerpiece of the record, though -- another ?uestlove jam, the song is tough but sensitive enough to maintain the layers of rhythm, rhyme, and abstraction. Electric Circus does suffer from that which ails many contemporary hip-hop albums -- too many guests (including a strange appearance by Laetitia Sadier [Stereolab]) and a generally lengthy program drag this one down a tad. Nonetheless, Electric Circus is a brave and ruthless statement wrapped in sincerity.
© Sam Samuelson /TiVo
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Steef van de Gevel, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Vinia Mojica, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Anthony Bell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Russell "The Dragon" Elevado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Shinobu Mitsuoka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Marie Daulne, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Tocci, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Pino Palladino, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Chestek, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, Co-Producer, Clapping, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Co-Producer, Assistant Mixer, Clapping, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jay Dee, Producer - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer, Programmer - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Soulgo, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bilal, Background Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Pino Palladino, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Chestek, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Jon Adler, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Erykah Badu, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Todd Fairall, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer, Programmer - Franklin Walker, Percussion, AssociatedPerformer - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ebi Breezy, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Tye tribbett, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - James Poyser, Producer, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Sunny, FeaturedArtist - STEVE Russell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Timothy Day, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - G.A., Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer, Drums, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Storm Martinez, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - DJ Badu, Orchestra/Member, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Karriem Riggins, Producer, ComposerLyricist - Omar, FeaturedArtist - Common, MainArtist - Chris Steinmetz, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Dart Chillz, FeaturedArtist - Dartanian Donaldson, ComposerLyricist - Omar Lye-Fook, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shawn Taylor, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Chad Hugo, ComposerLyricist - The Neptunes, Producer - Pharrell Williams, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - PHIL TAN, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nick Howard, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Coleman, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, Background Vocalist, FeaturedArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Common, MainArtist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Laetitia Sadier, FeaturedArtist - James Poyser, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Shinobu Mitsuoka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Timothy Day, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Tocci, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Bilal, FeaturedArtist - Prince, Guitar, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer - Jeff Chestek, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Femi Jiya, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jim Bottari, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Moys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Timothy Day, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Shawn Taylor, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Dustin Kreidler, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Joe Lepinski, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
The Neptunes, Producer, Executive Producer - Pharrell Williams, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Nick Howard, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andrew Coleman, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pat Viala, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Common, MainArtist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Larry Gold, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Cee-Lo, FeaturedArtist - Pino Palladino, Producer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Chestek, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Anthony Bell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Shinobu Mitsuoka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Mixer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Timothy Day, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Bobbi Humphrey, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Todd Fairall, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Damon Bennett, Flute, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Tocci, Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bob Power, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Nicholas Payton, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Steef van de Gevel, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pino Palladino, Producer, ComposerLyricist - James Poyser, Producer, Piano, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Mark McLaughlin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Jill Scott, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jef Lee Johnson, Producer, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Shinobu Mitsuoka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Mixer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - Ryan Moys, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Gregory Tardy, Trumpet, AssociatedPerformer - Mike Tocci, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Andy Brooks, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Producer - Soulgo, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Vincent Gardne, Trombone, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Jeff Johnson, Producer - Steef van de Gevel, Assistant Mixer, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Pino Palladino, Producer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Russell "The Dragon" Elevado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Mixer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer, StudioPersonnel - James Yancey, ComposerLyricist - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, ComposerLyricist - Erykah Badu, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dilla, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Bilal Oliver, ComposerLyricist - Larry Gold, String Arranger, AssociatedPerformer - Tye tribbett, Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Bilal, FeaturedArtist - Josh Butler, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Cee-Lo, FeaturedArtist - Steef van de Gevel, Assistant Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Pino Palladino, Producer, Bass Guitar, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Jeff Chestek, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Scott Kieklak, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - James Poyser, Producer, Keyboards, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Anthony Bell, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mary J. Blige, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jill Scott, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Jef Lee Johnson, Guitar, AssociatedPerformer - Russell "The Dragon" Elevado, Mixer, StudioPersonnel - Shinobu Mitsuoka, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson, Producer, Drums, AssociatedPerformer - Timothy Day, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Common, MainArtist - Ahmir Thompson, ComposerLyricist - Lonnie Lynn, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Erykah Badu, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Omar Lye-Fook, FeaturedArtist, ComposerLyricist - Steve Mandel, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - G.A., Background Vocalist, AssociatedPerformer - Todd Fairall, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Mike Tocci, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Dylan Koski-Budabin, Asst. Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel
℗ 2002 Geffen Records
Album review
Firmly out of the underground by the time Electric Circus came out in late 2002, Common takes the vision to the next level, employing high-profile producers ?uestlove, Dilla (Jay Dee), and the Neptunes. It's no surprise that the ?uestlove tracks push the most unclaimed territory. The Roots' Phrenology record, which appeared concurrent with Electric Circus, also flips the script on preconceived notions of beats and rhymes. Frequently the new sound on both records is pushed into a strange, sometimes aggressive, blunted rock/soul hybrid that still pulls the line for able-bodied MCs. Then there's also the Neptunes' tracks here, which are perfectly suited for MTV and urban radio. The Mary J. Blige duet, "Come Close," is a slow-paced dialogue between Common and Blige that borders on typical, but will still find a great number of fans. "Electric Wire Hustler Flower" is the true centerpiece of the record, though -- another ?uestlove jam, the song is tough but sensitive enough to maintain the layers of rhythm, rhyme, and abstraction. Electric Circus does suffer from that which ails many contemporary hip-hop albums -- too many guests (including a strange appearance by Laetitia Sadier [Stereolab]) and a generally lengthy program drag this one down a tad. Nonetheless, Electric Circus is a brave and ruthless statement wrapped in sincerity.
© Sam Samuelson /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 01:12:21
- Main artists: Common
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Geffen*
- Genre: Hip-Hop/Rap
© 2002 Geffen Records ℗ 2002 Geffen Records
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