The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book

1	Columbia Records 1:53
2	Where Fugees At? 3:48
3	Kenny Rogers-Pharoahe Monch Dub Plate 3:04
4	Thug Angels 6:35
5	It Doesn't Matter / The Rockin' Highliners 3:57
6	911 / Mary J. Blige 4:19
7	Pullin' Me In 4:38
8	Da Cypha 4:26
9	Runaway / The Product G&B 4:56
10	Red Light District 0:40
11	Perfect Gentleman 4:09
12	Low Income 4:20
13	Whitney Houston Dub Plate 1:42
14	However You Want It 3:03
15	Hollyhood to Hollywood 4:45
16	Diallo 7:22
17	Something About Mary 5:19
18	Bus Search 0:47
19	Wish You Were Here 4:06

Barnes & Noble

Anyone who thought that Lauryn Hill was the most talented member of the Fugees will reconsider upon listening to Wyclef Jean's lyrically ingenious and musically boundless sophomore disc, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book. Picking up where his dazzling, world music-splashed solo debut, The Carnival, left off, The Ecleftic is a testimony to Jean's beat-savvy production and vast musical knowledge -- from the Dirty South sensibility of the pulsating "Thug Angels" to the hip-hop-meets-acoustic rock cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here." Throughout the disc, Jean conveys his eclectic musical vision with tremendous charm and a biting sense of humor, and he's joined by an unlikely host of collaborators, including Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston, Earth, Wind, & Fire, and World Wresting Federation superstar The Rock. But it appears that Jean wasn't charismatic enough to coax his former bandmantes back into the Fugees fold. "Lauryn if you listening/Pras if you listening/Give me a call in the lab in the Booga basement," he wryly pleads on the anthemic "Where Fugees At?" But on the same track, he scorns his fellow Fugees with lyrical lashes such as: "We used to rap/Now you want to come at me with a bat/Y'all must be smokin' crack/Like Pookie from New Jack." Meanwhile, the reggae- and African rhythm-infused protest "Diallo," describes the New York City police officers who shot West African immigrant Amadou Diallo 41 times as "vampires in the middle of the night/suckin' on human blood." Whether he's providing pure entertainment or political food for thought, The Elcleftic proves that Wyclef Jean is no ordinary MC. On the contrary -- he's an extraordinary talent. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

Wyclef Jean serves up another slice of his music and remixing creativity with The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book. Loaded with pop culture commentary and often directly naming social names, The Ecleftic is sure to stir up some emotions from not only the famous, but from the general public as well. The purest example is "Diallo," named after the man who was shot 41 times by patrolling night officers when he reached for his wallet, not a gun as the police had thought. With this, Wyclef shows his refugee camp roots, acting as a 21st century Bob Marley. As much as it is loaded with serious urban observations, Wyclef also serves up a good party and even some love songs. In the beginning, The Ecleftic is loaded with classic and catchy samples, such as the song about his undying love for a stripper paying her way through college entitled "Red Light District." Though older listeners will probably cringe at the thought of Kenny Rogers singing of turntables, this move is no surprise from a man who introduced the Bee Gees to the hip-hop generation with the sample of "Staying Alive" on his album The Carnival. On Ecleftic, Wyclef comes full-fisted with commentary on the police system, urban ills, and stereotypes. Though some are merited, after the first dozen they lose their impact and are swallowed by catchy beats. Overall, another commentary and playfully meticulous production by Wyclef, who has struggled to separate himself from the Fugees. It is clear, with a good retrospective listen, how much Wyclef's production style was a large part of the praised trio. With The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book, Wyclef takes another strong step toward solidifying his own identity. ~ Diana Potts, All Music Guide