I’ve been giddy since news dropped that Jill Scott’s latest CD was dropping this month (this past Tuesday was THE day). Trust and believe, I was at Circuit City BRIGHT AND EARLY, waiting for them to open the doors. Shoot, I think I got there before the employees!

I love Jill’s music – her vocal range is amazing. And the content of her songs touches on everything from love, heartache, self-esteem, societal ills, family dynamics, neighborhood drug dealers, etc. There’s an earnest, heartfelt quality to her music…naked truth set free.

That voice, taking us from neo-soul richness to the gustiness of the Bottom Blues to operatic notes where you least expect them and back to the heart and soul of rhythm-and-blues. Yes, her voice pulls us in and before we know it, we are captivated by her the beauty of her spirit. Scott is a talented singer, actress, writer, poet (make no mistake – she will tell you herself “I was born as a poet, I will die a poet”.). She is a beautiful woman. But her spirit – that’s what radiates out to us - her spirit. Beyond the music, there just seems to be a sense of peace about her…joy.

Be warned: Jill’s new CD “The REAL Thing: Words & Sounds, Vol. 3” is strictly for grown-folk. She says unapologetically that this CD is passionate and that she’s painting “erotic and sexual energy imagery that’s very clear”. Gurrrrrrlllll, you ain’t NEVA lied. One listen to “Crown Royal” and you’ll be able to testify to the truth of her statement.

Whenever your favorite singer drops new music, you hope for more of their flavor but with some growth. In my opinion, Jill delivered in multiples. There’s definitely a different vibe to this CD. Beyond the sexual imagery, I sense a woman who’s settling deeper into who she is, becoming more at peace with her life (good, bad, rocky and smooth), a woman who’s stretching out in the fullness of her world. Courting joy. (Oooooo, I feel a poem coming on.). What’s not to love about THAT?

When I heard Jill was gracing the September cover of Essence magazine, I was close to stalking my mail person. The day the magazine was delivered, the sun shone brighter than normal. I opened the mailbox slowly; with white gloves on, gently pulled the magazine from the box leaving the rest of that crap in there. (It’s not like anybody sent me jellybeans.) I took the ceremonial walk back to my front door, majestic music playing in my wake. (Ok, Ok, it was playing in my head. Sheesh!) I got inside, lovingly placed the magazine on the coffee table (a table covered by an antique tablecloth for this very occasion). I poured myself a glass of libations in a brand new crystal champagne flute. Walking back to the living room, I paused long enough to cue the music, carefully light the white tapered candles in brass holders and lightly tap the chimes twice to clear the atmosphere of negative vibes. I prop myself up on a bed of fluffy, colorful pillows and slowly peel the magazine open to THE article. The sound of harps being strummed fill the air. And all was well. Beyond well. I sigh contentedly into the air and begin to read…..

Ssssssccccccrrrrrrreeeeeeccccchhhhh!

Uh, how did I miss the memo? Why ya’ll ain’t tell a sister that Ms. Te.rry. McMi.llian was conducting the interview?? Now, I find it interesting to see who Essence will pair up to do an interview but I have to tell you, finding Jill interviewed by Ms. M was…extra. Maybe it’s because in my head, while they’re both artists, their vibes are soooooo different. Perhaps that’s why they were paired. At any rate, I didn’t really enjoy the article. I’m not sure why. I think it was the insertion of “Terry-ness”. Don’t get me wrong – she’s a good writer but Terry’s one of those writers that I have to be in the “mood” for because her style is…erratic. It generally takes me a chapter or two to get into the rhythm of her writing, her flow, how she’s working. Once I get that down, I can roll with her. I wasn’t expecting that in this article. I just wanted to hear Jill tell her story, nudged gently across topics by whoever was interviewing her. Honestly ya’ll? I think I just had a Ter.ry.Mc.Mil.lan block. I’m going to revisit the article later and see. Truthfully, Jill spoke on everything I expected to hear and to the level I expected (not that I was key) so it wasn’t that I wanted to hear more details. I…well heck, here’s the link to the interview. You tell me. Maybe it IS just me. It’s gotta be that T.e.r.r.y. McM block of mine.

By contrast, I found my girl on the cover of “Upscale” Magazine too. And this article? I LOVED IT! Same subject but I felt the serenity, the sincerity, the joy in spite of what was going on. I felt her spirit. Uninterrupted.

I’m telling you - pick up this CD. You can’t go wrong.