When I think of Lenny Kravitz, it’s the same thoughts: his incredible tattoos, his diverse hairstyles that he’s sported throughout his career, his fabulous body, and last but not least, his timeless music that is accompanied with very creative videos. It has been three years since Kravitz has delivered a studio album; It Is Time For A Love Revolution was released in the first quarter of 2008. The 47-year-old singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist spent nearly the last year and a half composing and arranging his new collection of songs, Black and White America. One would wonder why Kravitz would give his album such a title, but it is until you dive into this latest disc that you understand why.
Kravitz thrills with his America
In my opinion, this album has no flaws. The artist himself said to well-known media personality Tavis Smiley that this is the best work that he has ever compiled. If I was given a survey, I would check “strongly agree”. Kravitz has always been innovative with his musical craft and continues to transform throughout his artistry. The album begins with the title track, entering a world of well-blended funk and gives you a “in your face” social message. The lyricism is very catchy, but at the same time, it powerfully drives all its points to home base with a personal tale from the artist. It is an introduction to the whole collection and paints the concept of the title. Let the disc play on and you will run into “Liquid Jesus”, a groovy grind that could be a gospel song, but is made very secular, showcasing that spirituality is a very important part of Kravitz’s life and he uses it as artistic fuel to twist it into something else. In addition, there are many droplets of Marvin Gaye’s classic sound. “Stand”, which is the second single released after “Come On Get It”, can be interpreted in multiple ways. The vocal melody and the instruments used make one think of the music that was produced during the 1960’s hippie subculture, an amazing flight back to that nostalgia. It would be incredible to hear this song on his upcoming tour with a more stripped down vibe, and Kravitz wearing a unique tie-dye shirt and sandals on stage. Another highlight on America is “Sunflower”, a beautiful Anita Baker-esque composition that I would hear riding down in a convertible near a California beach. It features a rap performance by Drake, who in his recent works has sounded recycled, but here, his rhyme-spitting goes along with the warm sunshine. One of the songs that is near the closure of the album, “Dream”, aims straight for the soul and reminds me of John Lennon’s “Imagine” with the soft strikes of piano keys and Kravitz’s vocals being calm and gentle as if he is singing a lullaby to Mother Earth.
The anticipation of this album was worth it. It shows here that the time that Kravitz spent in isolation in the Bahamas for over a year was very productive. The songs collected here have made me think of what he has explained in his interviews for promotion of America, about him being the result of biracial parents and what they suffered because of their interracial marriage. The album cover is authentic and expresses that the energy of peace and love has been with Kravitz since he was a kid. There are diverse musical genres assembled here that represent the heritages of the artist, a ongoing stream of his personal life sewn between all of the songs that anyone can feel. So here is my recommendation: get this album, put it on your iPod or cd player, take a load off one afternoon with a iced summertime beverage, and you will understand Black and White America. I have my copy on repeat.