Common - "Like Water For Chocolate"

Common’s fourth studio album, “Like Water For Chocolate”, was released on March 28, 2000 on MCA records. By the time production of “Like Water For Chocolate” had begun, Common had left his hometown of Chicago and was living in New York City where he linked up with Questlove and other members of the Soulquarians.  The Soulquarians were a music collective featuring Hip Hop artists (Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common, Q-Tip and Jay Dee), Soul singers (D’Angelo, Erykah Badu and Bilal) and a few other talented musicians (Roy Hargrove, James Poyser and Questlove). “Like Water For Chocolate” served as the formal introduction of the Soulquarians as a production team. “Like Water For Chocolate” spans across Hip Hop, Soul, Funk, Blues and Fela-esque rhythms.  Common flips back and forth between conscious and enlightened and braggadocios and perpetrating the stereotype.  He even has a skit and a song where he jokes about the juxtaposition. “Like Water For Chocolate” may not be Common’s best work but it was well received and definitely served as a turning point in his career.

Guest request Sean's (@bort_sampson_) 3rd review

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Chris: Why did you want to review “Like Water For Chocolate”?

Sean: I wanted to review it because quite frankly, I hadn’t listened to in a while and was wondering if it was as good as I remembered it. It also was released during a pretty influential period of my music life, along with other albums like Blackstar, “Black on Both Sides”, “Hi-Teknology”, stuff like that. Not that they all released around the same time as each other, more that I really discovered a lot of them around the same time.

Chris: I thought it was kind of funny that you chose “Like Water for Chocolate” because I recently within the last couple of weeks read Laura Esquivel’s book by the same name and although I was aware of the book, I had always thought the title  “Like Water For Chocolate” was harkening back to Jim Crow laws and I still do but I wasn’t aware of the double-meaning. Common is comparing himself to Tita (the main character in the book) whose emotions were key ingredients in the food she made.

Sean: Can’t say I ever read the book but I see the connection – the main character poured out her emotion in the food, Common poured his emotion into his music. Especially as related to this relationship at the time with Erykah Badu.

Chris: Obviously “Like Water For Chocolate” has a different feel to it than his other releases up to this point in his career, what did you think of the production on this album?

Sean: It’s weird, because I was simultaneously feeling this album as much as I used to and not as much. The production was tight for the most part but sometimes I felt like there was a bit of a disconnect between it and Common’s flow. I think maybe it maybe it has more to do with his flow by itself. He just has a lot of hard pauses and it sounds a little jerky to me and I found myself kinda getting taken out of the music, if that makes sense. I didn’t realize that J Dilla produced 75% of the album. I still love that Bobby Caldwell sample.

Chris: I’m thinking the jerkiness you’re describing was the influence of Dilla. That is very much a Dilla/Slum Village quality. I remember around this time my appreciation for Jay Dee was at a fever. I loved the soulfulness of this album. I feel like it’s a foundational album for a lot of other albums with that sound that came out around this time.  This album propelled me into listen to a lot of more that Philly Soul/Neo-Soul for next 4 or 5 years or so. I still listen to D’Angelo, Erkyah Badu, Goapele, Bilal, Angie Stone, Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Ledisi, Kindred the Family Soul and Lina because of this album’s influence on me.

Common feat. Black Thought and Rahzel – “Cold Blooded”

Chris: Let’s talk about “The Light”. Jay Dee’s flip of Bobby Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes” was the perfect complement to Common’s ode to Erykah Badu. I think that “The Light” is the definitive Hip Hop love song of our generation. What are your thoughts on “The Light”?

Sean: It holds up perfectly, in my opinion. It what I would think of if I had to pick a perfect example of a Common track – very thoughtful with a clear message.

Common – “The Light”

Bobby Caldwell – “Open Your Eyes”

What is the standout track or tracks for you?

Chris: There are so many! It’s very difficult to narrow it down to or even a couple but if I had to, maybe “Thelonious” and “Funky For You”. I just love the vibe of both of those songs. You? “Sixth Sense”?

Sean: “Sixth Sense” and probably “Heat” or “Questions”. It’s funny that I gravitate towards the lone Primo track on the album. His stuff has always gotten to me.

Common – “Sixth Sense” (produced by DJ Premier)

Chris: When The “Like Water For Chocolate” Tour came through Albuquerque in November of 2000, that was actually my first ever concert and still to this day one of my favorite concerts ever. You were there! Do you have any memories from that show?

Sean: When he came out in the red Adidas track suit and started break dancing! That was amazing and completely unexpected! You?

Chris: For sure that was dope! I think just the live band and how awesome they were.

Sean: Yeah, a live band just brings a different energy and depth to performance.

Chris: How do you feel about “Like Water For Chocolate” now after re-listening to it for this review?

Sean: I enjoyed it but it probably not something I’ll listen to regularly. It’s not “Black on Both Sides” for me lol

Chris: I like it just as much, no more, no less.