Jill Scott has returned with her new release, Woman. As her first release under a newly attained deal with Atlantic Records, saying Woman was highly anticipated would be quite the understatement. While fans have gotten somewhat accustomed to the long breaks between albums for Jill, it still can seem a bit unbearable, considering the quality we've also grown accustomed to. Truth is, Jill releases damned good music, and it's only a testament to her lengthy career. This year marks 15 years that we've been blessed with her soulfulness, so it’s only right she bless us with something on this anniversary.
So does Woman live up to expectations that have been set? I think that answer is an emphatic yes. Fans have come to love the realness of her music and how genuine she is in her delivery, and Jill stays true to her heart.
Woman jumps off with the Warren Campbell-Produced, spoken word-esque Wild Cookie, and follows right into “Prepared”, which I think is one of the albums hottest tracks. Prepared was produced by longtime Jill Scott collaborator Andre Harris, who actually provides much of the album’s backdrop. Other standouts on “Woman” include ‘Can’t Wait”, “Closure” which features production from David Banner over Curtis Mayfield’s “Get Down” and Graham Central Station’s “The Jam”, “Lighthouse”, “You Don’t Know”, and the album’s lead single “Fool’s Gold”.
Other producer throughout woman include Andrew ‘Pop” Wansel, who has produced in the past for the likes of Nicki Minaj, Alicia Keys, Trey Songz, and so many others, Philadelphia producer Steve Mckie, Adam Blackstone, who his known for his work with the likes of Nicki Minaj, and Adam Levine & The Voice, The Isley Brothers, Angie Stone, and more.
Jill definitely elevates us to the next level with Woman, providing solid production and well-written lyrics throughout. This release is sure to be at the top of the charts.
