Lovework

Infobox Album |
Name = Lovework
Type = Album
Artist = Gabriel Teodros


Released = February 27 2007
Recorded =
Genre = Hiphop
Length =
Label = MassLine
Producer = Amos Miller
Reviews =
* Rolling Stone Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/gabrielteodros/albums/album/13067171/review/13711412/lovework link]
* Okayplayer.com Rating|4|5 [http://www.okayplayer.com/reviews/index.php/weblog/more/lovework/ link]
* URB Magazine Rating|3.5|5 [http://www.urb.com/reviews/cd/feature.php?ReviewId=250 link]
* JIVE Magazine Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.jivemagazine.com/review.php?rid=2049&rtid=2 link]
* ColorLines Magazine [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Gabriel+Teodros:+Lovework+(Massline+Media).-a0166786421 link]
* AllHipHop.com Rating|3.5|5 [http://allhiphop.com/stories/reviews/archive/2007/02/20/18134935.aspx link]
* OneTwoOneTwo.com Rating|4|5 [http://www.onetwoonetwo.com/main/index.php/Albums/Gabriel-Teodros-Lovework.html link]
* Shotgun Reviews Rating|4.5|5 [http://www.shotgunreviews.com/archive/reviews/music/hiphop/ link]
Last album =
This album =
Next album =

Lovework, is the critically acclaimed debut Hiphop album by Gabriel Teodros, released February 27 2007 on MassLine Media.

Overview

Aesthetically and politically, "Lovework" descends from a mid-'90s school of conscious Northwest hip hop, characterized by groups such as Black Anger and Silent Lambs Project. It was a time where the Seattle sound became jazzier—more melodic, intricate, and atmospheric. It turned away from the gangsta themes and beats that dominated the period and instead focused on progressive politics, utopian aspirations, and an organic connection with black Africa.

"Lovework" was produced by Amos Miller with additional beat contributions from Sabzi, Moka Only, Kitone, and Specs One - it's sound was primarily influenced by Seattle veteran Vitamin D (who also mixed the record) and the late J Dilla. [ [http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Content?oid=166020 "Let 'Lovework' Rule" by Charles Mudede] . The Stranger. February 27 2007.]

On "Lovework", Gabriel Teodros ponders issues of racism, sexism, and colonialism, as well as lighter topics like romance and the art of rhyme. [ [http://seattleweekly.com/2007-02-21/music/categorize-this.php "Categorize This" by Jonah Flicker] . Seattle Weekly. February 21 2007.]

The opening song "Sacred Texts" creatively namedrops groups of influence in Teodros' life, including A Tribe Called Quest, Freestyle Fellowship, Common, Boogie Down Productions, Public Enemy, Roy Ayers and Bob Marley. [ [http://www.platform8470.com/reviews/reviews_selectedlp.asp?id=392 selected review by cpf] . Platform8470 - HipHopZine. February 14 2007.]

In the song "East Africa", Teodros first speaks about his family and how he grew up, and then goes on to talk about the 2005 Ethiopian police massacres. [ [http://abesha.com/abesha21/readarticle.php?article=2 "Work is Love made Visible: An Interview with Gabriel Teodros"] . Abesha.com. January 31 2007.]

The album title, "Lovework" was inspired by bell hooks and her book "", where hooks insists that to truly know love, one must agree that love is a verb. She goes further to say to truly know love, one must work to undo every system of domination that stops people from truly loving. The title was also inspired by a quote from Khalil Gibran's "The Prophet" where Gibran says "Work is love made visible". [ [http://insomniacmagazine.com/interviews/gabriel-teodros-of-abyssinian-creole-interview-by-todd-e-jones/ Gabriel Teodros (of Abyssinian Creole) - interview by Todd E. Jones] . Insomniac Magazine. December 19 2006.]

There were 2 official music videos made for the "Lovework" album, both directed by Zia Mohajerjasbi. The first was for "No Label (Esma Remix)" and the second was for "Don't Cry For Us" featuring Khingz & Toni Hill.

The album held the #1 spot on the CMJ Hip Hop charts for 2 weeks and came in at #19 for the year 2007. [ [http://www.cmj.com College Music Journal] . New Music Report. 2007.]

Track listing

#Sacred Texts (Intro)
#Do U (feat. Jerm)
#No Label (Esma Remix)
#Beautiful (GT Version)
#Sexcapism
#Racoon Rock (feat. Toni Hill)
#East Africa
#Don't Cry For Us (feat. Khingz, Toni Hill)
#In This Together
#The Dirty 6 (skit)
#It's That (feat. Geologic)
#Third World Wide
#Warriors (Lovework Reprise)
#Chili Sauce
#Find A Place (feat. Rajnii Eddins)
#Lovework (feat. Toni Hill)
#Rest O' Me Dayz (feat. Khingz)

References