Search - Pharoahe Monch :: Desire (Clean)

From its short, choral intro through the plodding opening cadence of its first proper song, "Free," Desire clearly shouts out Pharoahe Monch's topical preoccupation with freedom. The track progresses predictably enough, dropping references to Harriet Tubman and emancipation with the recognizable delivery Monch's been developing since he entered the scene with Prince Poetry (on the eponymous Organized Konfusion) in 1991. Borrowing from Public Enemy, the criminally under-sampled Millie Jackson, and others, Monch's rotating stable of producers supports his lyrical workouts with compelling variety. "Push" and the nine-and-a-half-minute closer, "Trilogy," feature stacked and wandering horn lines, respectively. "What Is It" omits the beats for a hissed chorus out of far left field. "Body Baby" bounces along on hand-claps and finger-snaps like a contemporary Will Smith cut. Erykah Badu adds oohs n' aahs and a lovely chorus to the feel-good message of "Hold On," the album's most radio-ready song. Elsewhere, a few forgettable fillers--"Bar Tap," "So Good"--stud the latter half of Desire, but after the eight years of singles and guest verses since his solo debut, Internal Affairs, these 13 songs combine for a welcome return to the Pharoahe Monch catalogue. --Jason Kirk