Four years after his debut release, Poly Sci, John Forté returned with a substantially different album titled I, John. Unlike his fun debut, this album takes a more serious approach to music-making. Anyone who heard Poly Sci will find the high level of introspection quite surprising. Forté works with co-writer Joel Kipnis and accomplished yet low-profile artists such as Tricky, Esthero, and Herbie Hancock on I, John. Furthermore, he throws the rules out the window, making his own style of music rather than the hot sound of the moment. (allmusic.com)
Track Listing
1 What a Difference (featuring Dinah Washington)
2 Harmonize (featuring Robyn Springer)
3 What You’re Used To
4 Trouble Again (featuring Tricky)
5 All The Pretty People
6 Take Time, Slow Down (featuring Herbie Hancock)
7 Beware (featuring Jeni Fujita)
8 Been There, Done That (featuring Carly Simon)
9 How Could I? (featuring Esthero)
10 Out of Bed
11 Hungry (featuring Ben Taylor)
12 Dearest Father
13 Lady
14 Reunion (featuring Machan Taylor)
As a protegé of hip-hop supergroup the Fugees, and a member of adjunct group the Refugee All Stars, John Forté exhibits the same intriguing mix of street and mainstream culture that helped the band rise above all prescribed boundaries. Poly Sci displays the same pumpin’ beats blended with pop elements and articulate lyrics, that made groundbreaking hits out of The Score and Wyclef Jean Presents the Carnival, both of which Forté wrote, produced and performed on. Filled with all the swagger and attitude essential to hip-hop, yet tempered with softer pop sensibilities, as on the quirky “Ninety Nine (Flash the Message),” and the slightly psychedelic “Madina Passage,” and the easygoing title tune, this debut promises a flourishing solo career for Forté. (allmusic.com)
Track Listing
1 Hot (Intro)
2 They Got Me (featuring Fat Joe)
3 Ninety Nine (Flash the Message)
4 God Is Love God Is War
5 We Got This (featuring DMX)
6 P.B.E. (Powerful, Beautiful, Excellent)
7 The Right One / Father to Son Interlude (featuring Jeni Fujita)
8 Madina Passage
9 All You Gotta Do
10 All ****** Up Now
11 Poly Sci
12 Born to Win / Riddle of Steel Interlude (featuring 20 Grand Pikasoe)
13 Flash the Message (featuring Butter)
14 Hot (Outro)
