Mos Def is an actor, host of Def Poetry and Hip Hop artist. The artist is on Geffen and recently put out an album called True Magic that many didn't know about. I found out about a week before it came it and upon looking at it was shocked that it had no front or back cover art, credits and came in a plastic clear case. It wasn't even on sale. If not for the fact it was Def and I was interested it maybe still sitting on the shelf! I'm glad I didn't though because I'd be missing out on a very good product.

This is a product that should be playing on a lot more speaker that it probably well because of presentation and feel. I must first say that this album has a mixtape feel. I mean it has basic beats you'd think you can hear at a backpacker convention or on a corner so when I popped it in I was skeptical...did this dude just put some crap out to get one album closer to his out with Geffen? Well I don't know the truth to that but if so he's gifted because a "lazy" effort is still nice!

The album starts with the album's namesake "True Magic", a song where talks about his skills and time in the game and says it just gets better with time.

"Undeniable" is funky track that will have the B-Boys going crazy as Mos flips his verbiage and sings the chorus.

"U R The One" is a personal track where Mos talks about a lady (Maybe his wife who left him recently I don't know if it's autobiographical) who recently left his life and how it began and ended.

The culture of Thug is something that is killing urban youth everywhere and Mos talks about on "Thug Is A Drug".

The GZA's great track Liquid Swords gets a slight makeover on "Crime & Medicine", a track about the title and it's impact in the communities: seen and unseen.

"A Ha" is a fun track were Mos shows you his skills on an upbeat track. Dollar Day is a fun but serious track because Mos Def made it in response to the Hurricane Katrina tragedy and the lack of response by the people and most importantly the American government. It's done of the beat used in "Nola Clap". Napoleon Dynamite is about reaping what you so and tries to let you know you can't be playing people for stupid for too long before you get played.

"There Is A Way" is my favorite track because it's simple and everyone should be able to

associate with it. There is two main lines..."'There is a way, no matter what say"'.

"Sun Moons, Stars" takes you back to the motherland or at least the fields of slavery and Mos talks about fulfilling you life.

"Murder Of A Teenage Life" is about that title specifically and over a dark beat Mos gives you a common story people from the cities and suburbs have heard too many times.

"Fake Bonanza" reminds me of President Bush's crusade against the Middle East in the name of "freedom and democracy"(I'm not saying no more). There are a couple more tracks on here but you get the point...it's a good listen if its played to you and you don't get mad when u see the lack of normal art and track listings.

I'll give it 4 GeoGlobes.

Post your own review on GeoBoards