Like Water for Chocolate (2000)

Made at Electric Lady Studios with the Soulquarians circle, this is Common at his warmest. J Dilla's loose, off-grid swing and Roy Hargrove's live trumpet give the songs the feel of a band reacting in the room, lifting Common's Chicago lyricism. The Light is the way in; Time Travelin', a tribute to Fela Kuti, shows how far the jazz goes.