As one of the last beacons of positivity in mainstream hip hop, Chicago’s own Common has held that title for many years with each and every record he puts out. Now age 39, the veteran continues this consistency with The Dreamer/The Believer LP. Something not to be overlooked is that the entire album is produced by his old friend and now Def Jam Records executive No I.D., known to many as the production mentor of Kanye West and the man behind the beats on Common’s first few critically acclaimed albums with songs such as the hip hop classic “I Used To Love H.E.R.” To many hip hop fans, this reunion is like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen returning to the court and playing together once again.

With the somewhat lackluster acclaim given to Common’s past couple of releases, the competitive hunger has reinvigorated him on this record; delivering some of his most potent material since his return album Be. No I.D., who has been quite busy producing hits for Jay-Z, Kanye West, Big Sean and many others gives the impression that he has been training himself this whole time to prepare for The Dreamer/The Believer. The beats are not too conventional but not too experimental either, which mesh well with an experienced lyricist in Common who has found the right type of balance to convey his message. It goes without saying that this modern incarnation of I.D has stepped up his drum game to trunk rattling heights. Yes, this is the same conscious Common album (his dad dropping knowledge at the end as always) but with incredibly banging beats.

The collaborative vocalists are kept to a strict minimum and truly capitalize on quality over quantity with guests such as Nas on the hard edged yet poignant observation on females “Ghetto Dreams”; who together with Common have ignited anticipation for their upcoming joint LP. Legendary poet Maya Angelou, despite her surprise with Common’s content, delivers a well placed poem at the end of the highlight introductory track “The Dreamer” while John Legend lends great vocals to bookend the album on the outro track “The Believer”. Known for his verses more than his hooks, Common usually has a record scratch pattern or a melody sung by guest vocalists during choruses. James Fauntleroy II is utilized as the hook man for the majority of songs on this album with great results that balance well with Common’s heavy verses.

As for lyrical content, Common is still the uplifting spirit and voice of the weak and underprivaleged he has been all these years, but shows some spurts of diving into carnal territory with many mentions of dealing with “bad bitches”, a shocking viciousness (prime example: the reportedly subtle Drake diss “Sweet”) and the Hollywood lifestyle he has experienced in his acting career. It seems like whenever Common is in that territory, No I.D juxtaposes by increasing the boom bap and soul on the beats to balance out the track. This reborn chemistry between the two former partners carries the entire project. A prime example is the current single “Celebrate”, which is an almost ranchy (by Common’s standards) party oriented track that ends up in soulful b-boy territory. It is indeed a good time to celebrate as the storied lyricist has put another very memorable album to his discography.

Highlights: “The Dreamer” (ft. Maya Angelou), “Ghetto Dreams” (ft. Nas), “Sweet”, “Gold”, “Cloth”, “Celebrate”, “The Believer” (ft. John Legend)

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