Erick Sermon's fifth solo album marks his move over to Universal Motown, after a two-album stint spent with J Records. As most could have only expected,
Chilltown, New York offers nothing fancy.
Sermon produces everything and is helped out on the mike -- yet is rarely outshined by -- the likes of
Talib Kweli,
Redman,
Keith Murray, and
Def Squad newcomer Sy Scott. He has yet to coast on his legacy; actually, he has to be one of the first MCs to underestimate it, claiming to be a 15-year veteran when he could lay claim to close to two decades of business.
Chilltown won't be thought of as a classic down the line, but it hardly weakens the MC/producer's reputation. It's unfortunate that most will remember the album for "Feel It," a slight sop to the charts. Those who have been following
Sermon all along, however, will see
Chilltown for what it is: a hardly disposable, if imperfect, addition to a remarkable back catalog. ~ Andy Kellman