Not
particularly well known outside the US, Cornel West is a
Princeton University Professor, author, orator and
recording artist who has been called one of the worlds
most influential intellectuals.
On this his second album he again takes
a step out of the classroom to embrace music and the hip
hop culture as a medium for raising awareness on the state
of the world. Addressing issues of racial profiling,
politics, 9/11, war, poverty and a litany of other
concerns of not just America but the world at large.
Never Forget is a powerful
musical statement on how to ask and demand the answer to
challenging questions targeted at the status quo,
understanding the enormity of the problems and yet holding
out hope for the human condition through unity, love and
solidarity. If this seems like subject matter that is too
heavy for you then you will be missing some of the best
socially conscious music ever to be recorded.
Though sounding at times like Samuel.
L. Jackson in his spoken word delivery it is his fellow
musicians on this project that will persuade you to search
it out. Like a who's who of soul music joining the person
who was also an influencing force behind the storyline of
The Matrix are in no particular order, Prince, Jill Scott,
Gerald Levert, Outkast, Chukii Booker, David Hollister and
Lenny Williams.
Indeed, Prince delivers in Dear Mr
Man one of his best laid-back funk tunes for ages and
Jill Scott's shortish neo-soul What time it is also
stands out as a classic. Then there is real soul from
Darryl Moore in the ballad Soul Sista, the gentle
two stepper positive message of Everything Gone be
Alright from the combined talents of David Hollister
and Chukii Booker and we haven't even mentioned the full
soul/slow funk of Gerald Levert yet who also gets a
posthumous mention for his genius.
Frankly, this album is a milestone both
musically and lyrically in its thought-compelling
approach. Though it can be enjoyed just for the music on
offer it is doing the album and Dr. Cornel West a great
disservice, as it also deserves to sit in your collection
as an intellectual stimuli for the plight of the world and
a reminder that you should Never Forget that you
are also an important part of the force for change
