Jilly from Philly shines on new album

Four years after her debut album Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds, Vol. 1, Jill Scott returns to the music scene with the beautifully-written album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds, Vol. 2.\nIt is hard to call Beautifully Human a follow-up album (despite its title) because of how different and unique her new songs are this time around. \nAfter first making herself known with her work on fellow Philadelphia natives The Roots' fourth album Things Fall Apart, Scott, along with other artists such as D'Angelo and india.arie, helped to bring back the R&B sound of the '60s and '70s while also adding their own modern flavor.\nScott's combination of poetic lyrics and her jazzy voice help set her apart from other contemporary artists, including Erykah Badu, whom Scott is often confused with. Her style is reminiscent of jazz greats such as Nina Simone and Sarah Vaughn as well as '70s soul artists such as Minnie Riperton, who is thanked in the albums linear notes.\nSongs like the album's first single "Golden" and the addictive "Fact Is (I Need You)" feature catchy hooks and smooth beats that resonate long after the first listening. Other highlights include the '70s funk-inspired "Family Reunion" and the short but sweet love riff, "Nothing."\nMusically, Beautifully Human is one of the better albums released so far this year and will hopefully bring some well-deserved attention toward this Philadelphia gem. Jill Scott's sophomore album shows a great deal of growth and maturity in her sounds and proves that R&B is still alive and strong as ever.