Erykah is back with the second installment of New Amerykah!  Boasting an impressive list of like-minded collaborators (including James Poyser, Karriem Riggins, Jay Dilla, Madlib, Georgia Anne Muldrow, 9th Wonder, ?uestlove, etc), Return Of The Ankh proves she's still on top of this neo-soul/future r&b game. If you're looking for that new new sound of soul, this is it. Seriously, you can put this album on and just leave the turntable 'cause there isn't anything to skip or pass up. From "Window Seat" with ?uestlove on the drums, the Dilla produced "Love," the Sylvia Striplin cover "Turn Me Away (Get MuNNY)," the amazing jazz-funk groove of "Agitation" written by Shafiq of SA-RA, the smooth grooves of "Gone Baby Don't Be Long" produced by Ta-Raach and "Umm Hmm" produced by Madlib, the steady head nod of "Fall In Love (your funeral)" with those witty lyrics warning any future Badu-daters, to the beautiful "Strawberry Incense" with Kirsten Agnesta, this is a thoroughly satisfying album worth repeated listens. 11 tracks total over 2 LPs. Awesome gatefold pic sleeve too.

• music label: Universal Motown / 2010

reviewed by Snackmaster 04/2010