On classic albums such as 'Like Water For Chocolate,' Common painted a picture that captured the experience of the average person. On 'Be,' Common continues to raise the standards by spitting masterfully crafted story raps and conceptual rhymes that showcase the depth of his ability as a storyteller. The bulk of 'Be's production is helmed by Kanye West who helps shape the overall sound of the LP while Jay Dee (aka J Dilla) also produces two cuts. The result is a superlative collection of successive gems that finds Common, a seasoned vet, rhyming with the hunger, intensity and fire of a newjack.

Take, for instance, "Testify," a rugged, cinematic, suspense thriller that finds Common spinning the tale of a woman testifying for her man in court. Other highlights include "Faithful," wherein Common contemplates the connection between God and woman while the soul-stirring voices of Bilal and John Legend tug at the listener's heart strings. On "The Corner," The Last Poets enhance Common's lyrical portrait of inner city blues. 'Be' won't just raise the bar for hip-hop albums, it is destined to have the name Common said in the same breath as artists like Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley and Donny Hathaway.