Bridging The Gap [Enhanced CD]

Rating

Album: Bridging The Gap [Enhanced CD]
#	Song Title		Time
1)	B.E.P. Empire Album Version	More Info...	4:40
2)	Weekends Album Version	More Info...	4:47
3)	Get Original Album Version	More Info...	2:53
4)	Hot Album Version	More Info...	4:05
5)	Cali To New York Album Version	More Info...	4:48
6)	Lil' Lil' Album Version	More Info...	4:11
7)	On My Own Album Version	More Info...	3:53
8)	Release Album Version	More Info...	5:08
9)	Bridging The Gaps Album Version	More Info...	4:57
10)	Go Go Album Version	More Info...	4:54
11)	Rap Song Album Version	More Info...	3:34
12)	Bringing It Back Album Version	More Info...	3:35
13)	Tell Your Momma Come Album Version	More Info...	3:14
14)	Request + Line Album Version	More Info...	9:22

Album: Bridging The Gap [Enhanced CD]
#	Song Title		Time
1)	B.E.P. Empire Album Version	More Info...	4:40
2)	Weekends Album Version	More Info...	4:47
3)	Get Original Album Version	More Info...	2:53
4)	Hot Album Version	More Info...	4:05
5)	Cali To New York Album Version	More Info...	4:48
6)	Lil' Lil' Album Version	More Info...	4:11
7)	On My Own Album Version	More Info...	3:53
8)	Release Album Version	More Info...	5:08
9)	Bridging The Gaps Album Version	More Info...	4:57
10)	Go Go Album Version	More Info...	4:54
11)	Rap Song Album Version	More Info...	3:34
12)	Bringing It Back Album Version	More Info...	3:35
13)	Tell Your Momma Come Album Version	More Info...	3:14
14)	Request + Line Album Version	More Info...	9:22

Tracks

1. Bep Empire

2. Weekend

3. Get Original

4. Hot

5. Cal To New York

6. Magic

7. Little Little

8. On My Own

9. Release

10. Bridging The Gap

11. Go Go

12. Rap Song

13. It's On

14. Tell Your Mama Come

15. Request Line

Performer Notes

Black Eyed Peas: Will.i.am (vocals, Fender Rhodes piano, Clavinet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthezizer, programming); Apl.de.ap (programming); Taboo.
Additional personnel includes: Wyclef Jean (vocals, guitar); De La Soul,
Mos Def, Macy Gray, Les Nubians, Chali 2Na, Esthero, Kim Hill (vocals); Michaelangelo Fratantuno (guitar); Kevin Torfeh, Susanna Giordano, Roberto Cani, Susan Chatman (strings); Pritz Board (trumpet, Hammond B-3 organ, Moog synthesizer); Jose Espinoza, Eulises Bella, Asoru Sierra (horns); Jerry Duplessis, Miles Taket (bass); DJ Motive (cuts).
Producers includes: Will Adams, DJ Premier, Wyclef Jean, Rhett Lawrence, Apl.de.ap.
Engineers include: Eddie Sancho, Dexter Thibeau, Dejuana Richardson.
Personnel: Kim Hill (vocals); Wyclef Jean (guitar); Suzanna Giordono, Roberto Cani, Susan Chatman (strings); Printz Board (trumpet, keyboards).
Audio Mixers: Dave Pensado; Dexter Thibou.
Recording information: Cutting Room Studio, Newyork, NY; D&D Studios, New York, NY; D&D Studios, NY, NY; Encore Studios, Burbank, CA; Paramont Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Paramount Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Stewchia, Los Angeles, CA; Stewchis, Los Angeles, CA.
Black Eyed Peas represent the kind of progressive hip-hop approach associated with bands such as A Tribe Called Quest or the Roots. While their straight-up rapping skills are indisputable, it's the group's quirky arrangements, production style, and preference for live tracks instead of pre-programmed ones that sets them apart from the pack.
Throughout BRIDGING THE GAP, the trio makes it clear that they're on a mission to take hip-hop to a smarter, more sophisticated place. This is accomplished almost as much by what they don't do as by what they do. They spend a lot of time talking about unification and other high-minded ideals, and distancing themselves from any notions of violence. They also take care to collaborate with artists they consider like-minded, including De La Soul, Wyclef, and Macy Gray. BRIDGING THE GAP's mix of funk, rap, pop, and soul is a strong brew when combined with the Black Eyed Peas' often-heady lyrical sentiments.

Professional Reviews

Rolling Stone (10/12/00, p.90) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A more organic-feeling representation of their considerable skills and vision. Uncluttered but muscular production, deft samples and smart rhymes ensure repeated listenings..."

Q (11/00, p.101) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...Right-on rapping....their Hispanic-flavored style constantly edges between sounding cool and simply withdrawn..."

Mixmag (9/00, p.169) - 3 out of 5 - "...Original, funked-up music....BRIDGING THE GAPS is another little gem..."

The Source (12/00, pp.240-2) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...BEP fine-tune their aesthetic. They integrate coffee-shop soul with disco-ball grooves, using spacey electronics and soft analog samples to interlace their aural space. the sound is familair and still refreshingly original..."