Electric Circus

1	Ferris Wheel / Vinia Mojica 2:48
2	Soul Power 4:38
3	Aquarius / Bilal 4:54
4	Electric Wire Hustler Flower 5:54
5	The Hustle 4:20
6	Come Close 4:35
7	New Wave 5:08
8	Star *69 (PS With Love) / Bilal 5:30
9	I Got a Right Ta / Pharrell Williams 4:54
10	Between Me, You and Liberation 6:23
11	I Am Music / Jill Scott 5:21
12	Jimi Was a Rock Star 8:32
13	Heaven Somewhere / Bilal 10:24

Barnes & Noble

Prior to the release of this eclectic Electric Circus, Common debuted the material live, in frenetic performances accompanied by his badass band A Black Girl Named Becky, his "queen" Erykah Badu, and Prince-ly neo-soulster Bilal. The shows were strong -- maybe too strong. Could the album live up to the hype? The answer is a captivating yes. Expanding on 2000's Like Water for Chocolate, the artist formerly known as Common Sense draws deep from the well of cosmic rock and soul pioneers such as Prince -- who plays guitar and keyboards on the "Erotic City"–esque "Star 69 (PS with Love)" -- and Jimi Hendrix, to whom a crooning Common and Badu pay homage on the electric guitar–laden "Jimi Was a Rock Star." Although the unsinkable Neptunes contribute two tracks, including "Come Close," featuring Mary J. Blige and reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest, the disc is anchored by the jam session–inspired production of Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from the Roots. As ringmaster, Thompson keeps this music event under control even under the crush of a multitude of guest stars, as Common recruits a posse of like-minded hip-hop-and-soul bohemians including Cee-Lo (the mantra-like "Between Me, You, & Liberation), Jill Scott (the big band swing "I Am Music"), and Brit hipster Omar (the ensemble jam "Heaven Somewhere") to join his Circus. Amid all the spectacle, though, it's Common, as poetic as ever, and so in love, who commands attention. So light up the Nag Champa, open your third eye, and let this visionary MC entertain you. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

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. ~ Jack LV Isles, All Music Guide