**Introduction**

In the late 1990's a new sound emerged from the American R&B scene. This new sound was called Neo Soul which was led by D'Angelo and Jill Scott amongst others. Jill Scott released her debut album Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 in 2000 when D'Angelo had already established the men's neo soul sound. Her debut album reached 17 on the US Billboard charts but was a bigger success with music critics and she followed up in 2001 with the live double album Experience: Jill Scott 826+. The album featured a mix of unreleased studio recordings and live versions of tracks from her debut album released the year before. She has since released two other studio albums with Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol 2 being the album I am reviewing now.

**Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol 2**

Released on 31st August 2004, August 31, Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol 2 took two years to eventually be recorded and was her second studio album and third album release. It's the hightest charted album from Jill Scott reaching number three in the Billboard chart upon release. The album features well known producers Dre & Vidal and Raphael Saadiq aswell as the lesser known Anthony Bell, Darren Henson, Keith Pelzer, Pete Kuzma, Jimmy White, Ronald "PNutt" Frost, Omari Shabazz, Carvin "Ransum" Haggins, Ivan "Orthodox" Barias and Kelvin Wooten and James Poyser. The album features a slower more mellow feel than her debut album with a slightly more diverse mix of tracks.

1.) Warm Up

Most Neo Soul albums have a short interlude to open the album and this is no different. This short introduction to the album features a sweet vocal from Jill Scott and is a decent intro to the album, it features a beatbox which sounds a lot like fellow Neo Soul star Musiq Soulchild.

2.) I Am not afraid

This is an interesting track due to the mix of Jill Scott's sweet vocals and the hard charging hip hop beats. This track features smooth backing vocals and is a decent first full track on the album. I feel that it would benefit a little from a small change or two in direction somewhere throught the track.

3.) Golden

This can be heard on the soundtrack to the film Beauty Shop starring Queen Latifah and is also one of the tracks played on the radio station The Vibe 98.8 on the hugely popular Grand Theft Auto IV. This is a confident track about living the high life. This track showcases Jill Scott's vocal control and poise aswell as her power.

4.) The Fact Is (I Need You

This is the first ballad from the album and it works really well, Jill Scott's voice sounds sweet and detailed and the gentle backing vocals work well alongside the beat and gentle keys. This track hints at the best tracks on the album and is one of the best ballads on the album.

5.) Spring Summer Feeling

This track was co written with Raphael Saadiq and is another gentle neo soul ballad which works really well.This track is about the real connections in relationships that mean more than money or anything like that. A really sweet feel good ballad which is one of the highlights of the album.

6.) Cross My Mind

Another ballad here but this is a lighter ballad to start off with, This track is about finding the one and knowing that nobody can compare to them with you and the looking back and realising that they were the one you should be with for the rest of your life. A great ballad

7.) Bedda At Home

This hip hop style track has the feel of a jam session. Heavy drum beats blending with jazz piano and Jill Scott's emotive vocals. This is a very good track indeed. I can imagine this track being a huge fan favourite during Jill Scott's concerts.

8.) Talk to Me (break it down)

Another ballad here but with a punchy beat than before. I love the D'Angelo like flow of this track, Jill Scott's vocals are again sweet and wonderfully detailed. This is about asking someone how they really feel about you. A great track yet again.

9.) Family Reunion

This is a great track with a funky hip hop beat and an expressive vocal from Jill Scott. This track is about remembering time spent with the whole family. When things go well and when things don't go so well. A really clever track which showcases her talent for songwriting.

10.) Can't Explain (42nd Street Happenstance)

This track is about saying sorry to your partner for cheating on them and trying to save the relationship as you realise your mistake. Another great track which shows deep regret. Jill Scott's vocals are superbly emotive on this track and it is amongst the best on the album.

11.) Whatever

This is one of the more catchy tracks on the album, A very flowing uptempo track which features a deep bass hook alongside Jill Scott's sweet vocals. Not quite as good as this track could be but a very decent track indeed. Very good indeed.

12.) Not Like Crazy

This is different to many of the previous tracks on the album and has a more experimental feel. Jazzy piano is joined by a fantastic beat and her sweet vocals accompanied by some softer drum beats which add a great effect. One of the most different tracks on the album.

13.) Nothing (Interlude)

This short interlude leads into the final section of the album, Dre and Vidal supply the beats on the interlude and Nothing is a rather decent interlude.

14.) Rasool

This is an uptempo track with some great beats and hooks. It features a sample of Barry White's "Mellow Mood. This is about a guy Jill Scott knew aged 15 named Rasool who was killed. A great track which should be a lesson to anybody.

15.) My Petition

This is a gorgeous track written with Dre & Vidal, The format for this track is about a petition to a partner about how you want to be treated by them. This is a gorgeous track with Jill Scott's vocals amongst the best on the album. A superb track which deserves massive credit.

16.) I Keep"/"Still Here

This opens with a deep bass beat and some gentle guitar tones. Jill Scott's voice comes in and blends well with the beat and guitar to create a great soundstage. This track is basically two in one with Still Here following seconds after the end of I Keep. I have to say that Whilst I Keep is a great track Still Here is even better.

17.) Bedda at Home (Acoustic Version)

This is a much better version of the song than the original as this has a much more intimate feel. her vocals are up there with Soul legends. This track really shows the talent she has. I'd like to hear her peform covers in this way. A stupendous bonus track.

**Overall**

This album is very close to getting my full five stars but falls slightly short due to the difference in quality between the opening of the album and the best tracks. Don't get me wrong there are no bad tracks here but just a couple that bring the stars down. If I could give the album four and a half stars then I would. Jill Scott is one of the biggest stars in the Neo Soul genre and has many more great albums in her.

Also posted on Dooyoo as Lakerfanster