C.L. Smooth – American Me (2006) (CD) (FLAC + 320 kbps)

Allmusic: ”More than a decade after his last release with Pete Rock, one of the most heartfelt lyricists of the 1990s returns with his debut solo album, AMERICAN ME. Surprisingly enough, the high-quality production from largely unknown beatmakers (Kaygee and Tramp of Divine Mill, Arsonist of the Heatmakerz, and Mike Loe) maintains that same balance of smooth and hardcore, making Pete Rock’s virtual absence (he did produce one joint) a moot point. While the title track might never achieve the status of pointed political criticism, it certainly is poetry. Arguably the tightest comeback album of 2006, CL Smooth’s AMERICAN ME has to make rap fans wonder what took him so long.”