June 04, 2008 @ 9:55 pm

Jim's New Jones

Brad Wete

Jim Jones previews fourth solo album exclusively for VIBE

Last night in Lower Manhattan’s Chung King Studios, Harlem rapper and king of cool Jim Jones previewed his still-untitled fourth solo album, due in September.  Along with former Roc-A-Fella co-captains Dame Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke, Jimmy filled up more than his fair share of trays with blunt ashes while playing the strong 15-song set.

Jones has been criticized in the past for his lackluster rhymes, but Dash, who has coached artists like Jay-Z and Kanye West to huge album sales in the past, says he applauds Jones for not listening when he initially advised Jimmy not to rap.

“About seven years ago, he told me he was going to start rapping,” said Dash, who’s now managing Jones. “I actually told him not to. I was teasing him like ‘Naw, Jim. Don’t do that!’ I never understood what was going on with him and why he felt the need to. He’s the only dude that went against my advice and did all right and better than expectations.”

The album’s single first, “Vroom, Vroom,” though currently in heavy rotation on New York’s Hot 97[WQHT 97.1], is far from the album’s highlight and sounds more like “Ballin’ Pt. 4.” It’s the album cuts that show life. With heavy hand claps and a plinking piano, the Chink Santana-produced “Pull Me Back” finds Jones recalling the days when his now-bejeweled wrists danced over crack pots.

“I could make coke spin on it’s back like Krush Groove,” Jones raps.

The smooth, synth-driven Magneto-produced “Blow the Bank” has a joyful summer bounce. And “Medicine,” another Chink Santana track, is classic strip club fodder. “Pussy is my medicine, I’m talking about that estrogen,” Jones confesses.

Noteworthy guests include Juelz Santana representing for Dipset on “Girlfriend” and Ludacris, briefly outshinining the uptown New York hero on “How to Be a Boss”

But unlike previous efforts, this time around, substance is as important as style. Jones has clearly improved lyrically. “Rain” might be the set’s most thoughtful track. With Rell singing the hook, Jones raps of rising above the street’s call. And “Let It Out” could be a smash. With drums that recall Kanye’s “Heard ‘Em Say,” but stronger, Jones’ raps are perfect for a Western shootout.

Showing off new skills as well as the confidence needed to experiment—one track boasts Jimmy crooning with a vocoder, a la T-Pain—the Capo may be splashing the meek with swagger come this Fall.

Article tags: Dame Dash, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Ludacris 

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