Jill Scott, The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Vol 3

As Jill Scott's third album was being written and recorded, the singer's five-year marriage was breaking down; over the course of The Real Thing, she goes through every possible emotion. Though the blues are at the heart of the album, what makes the most impression is Scott's sensual bravado. Commanding the listener to "bask in my glory" on the title track and hollering no-holds-barred defiance on Hate On Me, The Real Thing finds Scott throwing herself bodily into her music as never before. Referring to herself as "Mount St Scott" at one point, her lyrics are frequently X-rated. On The Real Thing, Scott luxuriates in herself - and with good reason.