Music Review: Ghostface Killah, Ghostdini: The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City (Def Jam, 2009)

So, I'm sitting back listening to the new Ghostface and I start to wonder what the Def Jam meeting was like. It's like Def Jam told all its rappers, if they wanted to release an album this year, it had to be all R&B songs. Hence the Jadakiss album, Fabolous album, and now this.

Ghost has appeared on various R&B records throughout his long career. Ghostface Killah has never allowed a subject such as love(yes, L.O.V.E.) to dictate the entire direction of a project.  He has touched upon the subject on his own records in one way, shape or form, at some point. Dominate though? NEVER.  This is definately his most ambitious project to date, Ghostdini, The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City is backed by a different Tony Starks, one who sees fit to elaborate on the various ups and downs that the heart can put one through.

The album kicks off with Sharfeea laced, “Not Your Average Girl” Shareefa blesses the joint as Ghost’s chick "not like other bitches" I beg to wonder whether or not this track was crafted with Keyshia Cole in mind?  Next we are hit with the self-proclaimed “R&B Neo-Soul Hippie Rockstar” Raheem DeVaughn. He joins Ghostface for two cuts, the soulful “Do Over” allows the Wu soldier an effective foundation as he goes over past indiscretions after his infidelity leads to the loss of his good girl, his “crown jewel”. Raheem also returns for the head nodding "Baby" the reflective 1st single. I guess he didnt get the memo from Jay-Z about autotune being dead?  The chorus is autotune-riddled as Ghostface rhymes about the beauty and rigors (hunger cravings, Popeyes!) of pregnancy.

Next up is sullen soundscape of “Lonely” echo a different aspect of Ghostface’s, down and out, he is so heartsick at the thought of another dude cuddled up at night with his boo that with even his son picks up on his detached state of mind: “Most of the time we watch flicks, on your Surround Sound, he watch boxing/ You better go beg or something, before she go love him/ He’s taking your spot cause you was dissin Mommy, you buggin/ They don’t argue, he send her flowers for no reason/ She’s cheesing… I’m wishing you could come back and see this”. It is also on the throw back cuts “Stay” and “Forever” where the Ghostdini is his most sincere especially on "Forever" in which he promises eternity to his girl, backed by hypnotizing instrumental.

It should be clear by now that the R&B themed album, was aimed at his female listeners. In a recent interview Ghost clearly states, “I focus a lot on women. I just threw my dart at women and other types of situations, too.”  Where alot of other rappers have failed with this theme, Ghost pulls it off. It's his storytelling that continues to shine brightest through this album. The very raunchy “Stapleton Sex” is Ghost at his best, presenting a porn on wax bascially, between he and wifey (played by the sexy, Milani Rose) that would make even Too Short say , 'DAMN!". The piano driven "Paragraphs Of Love" is a masterpiece as Ghostface enlists the talents of  singer Vaughn Anthony and UK songstress Estelle play out the "love at 1st sight" story as Ghost comes across another man’s pregnant wife, “the most beautifulest queen I’ve ever seen” brings out the inner gentleman in him as he questions whether she is in need of help and even offers her "cheese crackers" as only Ghost can. If you have a keen ear, you will recognize the beat on the next track as Rick Ross’ “Yacht Music”, Ghostface flips the Justice League’s triumphant horn-driven beat into “Guest House”. Ghostface is best with the paranoia storytelling, as he frantically searches for his wife only to find her in the arms of Fabolous(uh-oh!).

With the release of this album, Ghostface further cements his place among the greatest emcees to ever grace the mic. While also not closing the door on personal growth. The album is superbly produced throughout and Ghostface utilizes his stellar pen to paper to mic game and continues to paint for us, the vivid pictures he sees in his head. Instead of the same ol' vintage tales of coke dealing and deals with Columbians(rolling eyes). Ghost instead, decides to focus on dealings of the heart, I can't be mad at him for it. For every "tough guy" out there, whether they admit it or not, have fell for a chick at some point.

The concept of the album for the most part works but toward the end it starts to taper off abit. The bland Lloyd-assisted “Goner” and the questionable adding of the remix to “Back Like That” with Kanye, a record that appeared on More Fish in 2006, but the 1st ten to eleven tracks are solid and more than make up for the fillers. Obviously sticking out from his other records in his extensive catalogue, Ghostdini, The Wizard of Poetry in Emerald City further validates Ghostface’s placement among the hip-hop titans of this game.

Rating:  ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ out of ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫  

Track Listing:
1. Not Your Average Girl (ft. Shareefa)
2. Do Over (ft. Raheem "Radio" DeVaughn)
3. Baby (ft. Raheem "Radio" DeVaughn)
4. Lonely (ft. Jack Knight)
5. Stapleton Sex
6. Stay
7. Paragraphs of Love (ft. Vaughn Anthony and Estelle)
8. Guest House (ft. Fabolous and Shareefa)
9. Let’s Stop Playin‘ (ft. John Legend)
10. Forever
11. I’ll Be That (ft. Adrienne Bailon)
12. Goner (ft. Lloyd)
13. She’s A Killah (ft. Ron Browz) (Bonus Track)
14. Back Like That (ft. Ne-Yo and Kanye West) (Bonus Track)

-ESantiago