The Ecleftic

Just how eclectic is Fugee founder Wyclef Jean’s sophomore solo album? Well, when was the last time you cranked up a hip-hop song with an intro by The Gambler himself, Kenny Rogers? Magically, The Ecleftic’s hip-hop-and-the-kitchen-sink formula doesn’t blow up in his dreadlocks, blending rap, reggae, rock, country, and folk into one potent, if sometimes puzzling, groove. Collaborators like Earth, Wind and Fire we understand, but why does WWF superstar The Rock stop by? Maybe to help Wyclef put a pile driver on the record company, the press, and the cops he disses in his lyrics for not giving him enough respect. Fortunately, the large chip on Wyclef’s shoulder is only outweighed by his ability to pull this ambitious project off.