2 strong 4 2 long

FROM December 17, 2005

* if you know where to get a good-sized molcajete for cheapish in brooklyn heights/surrounding/anywhere closer to boerum hill than sunset park (not trying to lug 90 lbs of volcanic rock on the bus), please holler a moi.

* "I know where the drugs is at. Staten Island. i gotta feel it in my soul!" yes, the new Mary J Blige is feeling like god's proof. Like seeing family after long absence. This is the work of a woman with a solid hearth: big hugs to Kendu. Also, I can get with this spate of vocodor-love in R&B/crunk'n'b (see first couple verses of MJB's i-ain't-had-no-daddy-around thurrapy joint "Father in You": "when yr wife is speaking, pay attention!" In tasteful amounts of that underwater vocal-FX box, like T-Pain grousing bout the dishes.)

Coulda done without the Bono guest spot, however, even though "One" is a classic--the Bono/MJB re-do comes off too "Senior Prom Theme Song": prefab triumph, fists up at mid-tempo.