AFTER a 10-year haitus, Haitian-born Wyclef Jean, the world renowned ex-Fugee artiste, songwriter, producer, rapper, guitarist, good willambassador and social activist through his Yele Haiti foundation is back with Carnival Volume II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant (Sony BMG).A contrasting crowd including Paul Simon, Mary J. Blige, Norah Jonesand Louis Farrakhan feature on this album.
The first track features Wyclef speaking, noting that the world hasradically changed since The Carnival Vol 1 (1997) and sets the stage forthe socially conscious lyrics of this follow-up album.
Then in comes Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill), featuring Akon, Niia & Lil'Wayne, followed by post-Katrina hymn Any Other Day, featuring Norah Jones. Talk about diversifying your melody.
The musical styles are just as distinct, from the raga-reggae mash-up King And Queens with Shakira and Welcome To The East with Farrakhan on violin and a verse by reggae supremo Sizzla, to the pseudo rap-rock Riot,with Serj Tankian of System Of A Down's surprisingly decent emceeing skills - all of them vibrant.
Slow Down and Heaven's In New York are both feel-good R&B jams. There are some racy lyrics, but they're smart and don't overshadow theintoxicating blend of music and overall intent of the album.
The Paul Simon-assisted Fast Car comes with a gospel choir. Amid the meandering verse and dull strumming, Wyclef buries a vague reference to Sean Bell, the unarmed black man shot by the New York Police Departmentafter his bachelor party.
The Eastern-tinged Hollywood Meets Bollywood, with a guest spot from Chamillionaire, is a bloated pro-immigration history lesson, while WhatAbout Baby has Wyclef and Mary J Blige singing about family break-ups.
The 13-minute outro Touch Your Button Carnival Jam with its careening Caribbean mishmash features a bevy of energetic guests including BlackEyed Peas member will.i.am, Trini legend Machel Montano, samba goddessDaniela Mercury and dancehall icon Shabba Ranks.
It's an ambitious ride through a carnival of global music too rarelyexplored. Wyclef's sonic scope is breathtaking, complemented by imaginativelyrics.
Carnival Volume II: Memoirs Of An Immigrant strives to give theimmigration problem a face, turning those thousands of marchers we see inthe new on the telly into 1,000 personal stories of struggle and hope.
It does this while pulsating with life and displaying an unabashed loveof music that's rich, daring as well as utterly delightful. – NST 10/02/2008
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