I, John

( 3 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Tracy E. Hopkins
John Forté opens his sophomore disc, I, John, with a reggae-tinged take on the jazz standard "What a Difference a Day Makes," featuring the sampled vocals of Dinah Washington. It's a telling choice, given the life-changing day the eclectic rapper had in 2001 when he was sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug-trafficking charges. "I've made plenty of mistakes in the past," the onetime member of the Fugees' extended circle, the Refugee Camp, told The New York Times. With, I, John, however, Forté proves he's also capable of doing plenty of things right. A far cry from his uneven debut, Poly Sci, this disc is an autobiographical collection of soul-searching, repentant,...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - Tracy E. Hopkins
John Forté opens his sophomore disc, I, John, with a reggae-tinged take on the jazz standard "What a Difference a Day Makes," featuring the sampled vocals of Dinah Washington. It's a telling choice, given the life-changing day the eclectic rapper had in 2001 when he was sentenced to 14 years in prison on drug-trafficking charges. "I've made plenty of mistakes in the past," the onetime member of the Fugees' extended circle, the Refugee Camp, told The New York Times. With, I, John, however, Forté proves he's also capable of doing plenty of things right. A far cry from his uneven debut, Poly Sci, this disc is an autobiographical collection of soul-searching, repentant, and at times bitter songs penned mostly during the time between his arrest and sentencing. On the breezy, Fugees-reminiscent "Harmonize," the dreadlocked rapper -- who sings à la Bob Marley as much as he raps on I, John -- trades verses with female vocalist Robyn Springer. As the duo sing in unison, "Think of me when you sing in key/The way we harmonize," Forté sounds as if he's lamenting a love he left outside prison walls. Just as reflective is the electric guitar- and horn-accented "Trouble Again," featuring trip-hop star Tricky, where Forté makes light of his adventures, or misadventures, as the case may be. On the string-laden ballad "All the Pretty People," Forté ponders African Americans' place in the American Dream: "It's easy to see who made us not so equal/The TV told us we weren't the pretty people/...Where do we classify in your stories?" Perhaps the disc's only misstep is the off-key rock number "Been There, Done That," featuring Forté's friend and supporter Carly Simon. Still, I, John is an impassioned testimony from one of hip-hop's most talented artists.
New York Times - Neil Strauss
...a beautiful, reflective set of songs more influenced by Bob Marley and Finley Quaye than by mainstream rap. The songs smoothly blend trip-hop, rhythm-and-blues, rap and reggae, resulting in a soulful sound that is breezy on the surface but solid in the foundation.
Rolling Stone - Robert Christgau
Recorded in the month before his 2001 trial, I, John seems to be one of those rare albums that make the most of personal crisis -- think Marvin Gaye's Here, My Dear, or Paul McCartney's Run Devil Run. 1/2

Recorded in the month before his 2001 trial, I, John seems to be one of those rare albums that make the most of personal crisis -- think Marvin Gaye's Here, My Dear, or Paul McCartney's Run Devil Run. 1/2
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/27/2006
  • Label: SONY BMG EUROPE
  • EAN: 5099750816028
  • Catalog Number: 508160

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 What a Difference (3:28)
  2. 2 Harmonize (4:26)
  3. 3 What You're Used To (4:28)
  4. 4 Trouble Again (4:27)
  5. 5 All the Pretty People (4:39)
  6. 6 Take Time, Slow Down (3:55)
  7. 7 Beware - Jenni Fujita (3:56)
  8. 8 Been There, Done That (3:49)
  9. 9 How Could I? - Esthero (4:35)
  10. 10 Out of Bed (5:02)
  11. 11 Hungry (4:01)
  12. 12 Dearest Father (4:03)
  13. 13 Lady (4:14)
  14. 14 Reunion (5:48)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
John Forté Primary Artist, Percussion, Piano, Violin, Keyboards
Carly Simon Track Performer
Herbie Hancock fender rhodes
Dinah Washington Track Performer
Robyn Springer Track Performer
Gerald Tarack Violin
Olivia Koppell Viola
Regis Landiorio Violin
Jesse Levy Cello
Ben Taylor Track Performer
Ben Wisch Guitar
Larry Ciancia Drums
David Flemming Organ
Bette Sussman Organ, Piano
Esthero Track Performer
John Sneider Trumpet
Technical Credits
J.K. Producer
Mark Morris Digital Editing, Pro-Tools
Will Schillinger Engineer
Ben Wisch Engineer
Tom Coyne Mastering
David Flemming Programming
Bette Sussman Producer
David Passick Executive Producer
John Forté Programming, Producer
Marc Algranti Engineer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 3 )
Rating Distribution

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(3)

4 Star

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    amazaing

    this album is tight from start to finish its a breath of fresh air ....... raspects Jahn for this........

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    musical genius

    I, John shows Forte is more than a rapper; He is a musician. This album can be listened to from beginning to end with no programming. Buy this album. It doesn't matter if you have never herd the artist before.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    This is an amazing album

    WOW is all I can say. This album is unexpectingly great. A review really will not do it justice. This is really a great album that John Forte pours his heart into. Everyone who loves music really need to pick this one. You will never ever see him more honest then on this album. There is nothing but pure music on all of these tracks. Definitely check it out, you will not be disapointed.

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Sort by: Showing all of 3 Customer Reviews