Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com's Best of 2000
Talib Kweli is probably the only MC who could do justice to "For Women," Nina Simone's righteous, ragged battle cry, and he does so with his cover on Reflection Eternal. That cut illustrates this album's timeless quality, its personal poeticism, and its strength. Kweli's lyrical skills have only improved over time, approaching the stuff of legend. And producer Hi-Tek's supple grooves balance the wordcraft perfectly. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Amazon.com
Silencing any suggestions that he's any less capable than his more high-profile Black Star partner Mos Def, Talib Kweli, along with DJ Hi-Tek, crafts a masterful debut with Reflection Eternal. Like Mos, Kweli displays an impressive range of styles and sensibilities--whether popping party lyrics on "Move Something," reflecting on the mysteries of the heart for "Love," or musing on hip-hop's death and rebirth for "Good Mourning." In comparison to Mos Def's status as a new funk soul brother, Kweli's more of a b-boy bookworm--erudite and articulate, but he can also let fly with fire and spark on the mic anytime. DJ Hi-Tek finally gets to show off his full range of production ability with a blend of hot, aggressive tracks ("Blast") and relaxed groovers ("Memories"). As good a debut as you could ask for. --Oliver Wang

Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought,Talib Kweli,Hi-Tek,Rawkus (Uni),Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

Tracks:

Experience Dedication
Move Somethin'
Some Kind Of Wonderful
The Blast
This Means You
Too Late
Memories Live
Africa Dream
Down For The Count
Name Of The Game
Ghetto Afterlife
On My Way
Love Language
Love Speakeasy
Soul Rebels
Eternalists
Big Nel From Da Natti
Touch You
Good Mourning
Expansion Outro

Amazon.com's Best of 2000

Talib Kweli is probably the only MC who could do justice to "For Women," Nina Simone's righteous, ragged battle cry, and he does so with his cover on Reflection Eternal. That cut illustrates this album's timeless quality, its personal poeticism, and its strength. Kweli's lyrical skills have only improved over time, approaching the stuff of legend. And producer Hi-Tek's supple grooves balance the wordcraft perfectly. --Lizz Mendez Berry

Amazon.com

Silencing any suggestions that he's any less capable than his more high-profile Black Star partner Mos Def, Talib Kweli, along with DJ Hi-Tek, crafts a masterful debut with Reflection Eternal. Like Mos, Kweli displays an impressive range of styles and sensibilities--whether popping party lyrics on "Move Something," reflecting on the mysteries of the heart for "Love," or musing on hip-hop's death and rebirth for "Good Mourning." In comparison to Mos Def's status as a new funk soul brother, Kweli's more of a b-boy bookworm--erudite and articulate, but he can also let fly with fire and spark on the mic anytime. DJ Hi-Tek finally gets to show off his full range of production ability with a blend of hot, aggressive tracks ("Blast") and relaxed groovers ("Memories"). As good a debut as you could ask for. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews:

Talib Kweli and Hi Teck Makes You Want To "Move Somethin" (Rating: 10 out of 10- -5 stars).......2007-01-31

You can argue that Talib Kweli & DJ Hi Teck are the best emcee and DJ duo since Pete Rock & CL Smooth. When I first discovered them was when I was at home listening to the Music Choice Rap Channel, when the song "This Means You" popped on. That song alone wanted me to go and get that album, because of it's excellent wordplay by Kweli and Mos Def, with the production of Hi Teck.

There is not much I can say that already hasn't been said, seeing the average rating is at it's max. As I mentioned before, Kweli's rhymes are superior to hear. Being as young as I was at the time this dropped (around 14 or 15), trust me, I've never heard someone rhyme like that before. A perfect example where Kweli runs free on the mic is the song "Some Kind Of Wonderful". Another track that stood out was "The Blast" where even Hi Teck spits a verse that is also dope (the video had Talib doing two verses, but that is not on here. I'm kinda mad, since this is reissued).

Guest appearances are dope as well. My favorite would be Xzibit and Rah Digga popping up for the song "Down For The Count". Another would be the De La Soul contributed verses in "Soul Rebels". Production is also excellent by Hi Teck. Some of the song here are kind of laid back to listen to, but you can easily catch a vibe towards them.

"Reflection Eternal" (or "Train Of Thought" to some people) is one album that I can enjoy on many levels again and again. I remember listening to this album back in high school, and only a hand full of people knew who these guys were. If you ever get a chance, pick this us. The production on here is soothing and can clear your mind. If you are not familiar with Kweli, you might want to check out "Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star". I just found out Hi Teck was in a group called Mood back in '97 and will listen to that as well. Arguably one of the best that came out of Rawkus. Word up.

Lyrics: A+
Production: A+
Guest Appearances: A+
Musical Vibes: A+
Overall: A+

Favorite Tracks: Move Somethin', Some Kind Of Wonderful, The Blast, This Means You, Memories Live, African Dream, Down For The Count, Name Of The Game, On My Way, Love Language, Soul Rebels, Touch You, For Women (Bonus Track)

Honorable Mention: Good Morning

Peace Everyone!!!

Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought: Best CD you've never heard of.......2006-12-20

One of the best albums I've ever heard, I'd give it 6 stars if Amazon let me. With the exception of Gangstarr (though I think Kweli is lyrically superior to Guru), I have never heard an MC and producer mesh so effortlessly on a consistent basis like Kweli and Hi-Tek. This is a CD I put in and listen to without touching a button.

Both Talib and Hi-Tek display impressive versatility in their respective trades, starting the CD with a party track like "Move Something," then moving to songs like "Memories Live," and "Love Language". You see Hi-Tek's jazz influence in songs like "Love Speakeasy," and "Good Mourning,". I also love the Nina Simone samples. The bonus track "For/Four Women," is a song which chronicles the trials and tribulations of Black Women since they arrived to this country centuries ago. Finally, on a personal note, "The Blast" is my favorite song in the whole wide world. Not saying you should care, but that tells you how I feel about this CD. I will listen to this when I'm 50 years old and I have no doubt about that.

That being said, it absolutely KILLS me that Kweli later comes out with LPs like "Quality" and "Beautiful Struggle," and gets very few to no tracks from Hi-Tek. It boggles my mind. When you look at the results of Reflection Eternal/Train of Thought and Blackstar, it becomes clear that the duo makes great and refreshingly intelligent music. In today's rap climate, that is clearly not the norm. I don't have an afro and I don't wear Cowrie shells or dashikis, but yes, it is great to hear rap music of some substance, celebrating black music and black people. I still treasure my copies of Reasonable Doubt, Illmatic and Life After Death, but this one's also in my special CD case...

The CD is a blast.......2006-10-09

I love the concious rap, the nature of it is so real. I can go by these tracks because of what they represent; the essence. The top 5 songs of the album:
1 The Blast
2 move somthin
3 Down for the Count
4 Good Mourning
5 Eternalists

Very impressive........2006-09-01

I'm always up for intelligent hip-hop, and "Reflection Eternal/Train Of thought" is filled to the brim with creative rhymes, head-bobbing beats, and powerful messages. For example, "Too Late" is a song that mourns hip-hop's downfall. "Nowadays rap artists coming half-hearted/Commercial like pop or underground like black markets/Where were you the day hip-hop died?" It's so true it's almost eerie. Plus, the beat is amazing.

Another note-worthy song is "Name of the Game". An amazing piano sample plays in the backround, and Talib's crazy MC skills are practically jaw-dropping:

"'The name of the game is..'
Persistance, dedication
Consistant motivation
Resistance to stagnation of information
Distribute it free to the entire population
No hesitation
Makin it public
No privitazation from corporations"

Genius!! Seriously, no true hip-hop collection is complete without this gem. "RE/TOT" is sure to be remembered for years to come.

Brought a tear to my eye!.......2006-05-31

This is an absolutely amazing album created by the reflection eternal. Another release that focuses on making classic songs that mean something positive to people. Songs that you can play twenty years from now and they are still dope and relevent to your life. Support emcees that have talent, not materialistic artists that make songs that will help you into a jail cell.

Soul Music:

Soul Music

soul music

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