In the midst of all the financially inspired Hip-Hop artists, there are still a few MC's that make music from their heart and soul. Common is one such MC. Always known for his potent lyrics and infectious flow and vibe, Common's fourth and latest album, Like Water For Chocolate, is no different. It is 16 tracks of pure Hip-Hop and soul that proves you don't have to rock a million dollars in diamonds and platinum to make a good album.

Produced almost entirely by Jay Dee and The Roots, this album has a soulful sound that keeps it consistent the whole way through. Opening with the mellow yet conscious "Time Travelin'," you get a good example of what is to come. Then moving directly into "Heat," Common gives MC's proof that he can rhyme and battle with the best of them. Layered with a Roots-esque beat with heavy drums and drawn-out bassline, this track shows just how far this MC has come with his clever metaphors and sharp one-liners. Other tracks that display this harder edged Common are "Dooinit," "Funky For You," and the hit single, Primo banger, "The 6^th Sense," which has one of the best lines of the year as Common spits "If I don't like it/ I don't like it/ It doesn't mean that I'm hatin'." A bold and truthful statement that needed to be said in this "keeping it real" Hip-Hop society.

On the other side of the coin Common has plenty of conceptual, story telling tracks like always. The piano driven "The Light" is a moving song dedicated to his life partner and how much her love has affected his him mentally, physically, and spiritually. "Pay Back Is A Grandmother" is another one of his robbery tales like on his last album but with his Grandma getting stuck-up instead of his house getting robbed. And then there is the best combination on the whole album as he employs with D'Angelo to sing the sweet, soulful chorus of the uplifting hood life tale of "Geto Heaven Pt.II."

Like Water For Chocolate is another classic album from one of Hip-Hop's best MC's. He has once again evolved and grown and become Hip-Hop's most conscious and inspiring MC. This album is not only entertaining and sonically pleasing but it is educational, uplifting, and very thought provoking as Common is one of those rare people who can pull that off and make it look easy the whole time.

By JC