Fortunately, Talib has plenty of life left and is still able to pen some wonderful compositions, this time with Madlib handling the entire backdrop for their free-downloadable EP Liberation.

Why is the EP free? Is it just a ploy to promote his upcoming album on his Blacksmith label? Does he feel like it won't sell? What I like to believe is the notion that Kweli wanted to show his disappointed fans that he's back, and what better way to prove it then by giving it to us?

This is the sharpest, most focused and most solid production Kweli has been on in a long ass time. The first leak from the EP, Funny Money, shows Kweli in excellent form and displaying something that his previous full-length lacked: Undeniable confidence.

Guest appearances on the EP also make for pleasant surprises. A solid verse from Consequence (who has been killing it since Gone off of Late Registration) offers a more sophisticated 'Quence showing his ever-improving flow that has grown leaps and bounds over the years.

There's nothing I can say bad about this record. It's an absolute solid release, one that I wouldn't argue about paying for. The Madlib and Kweli glove seems to be a wonderful fit, one that hopefully his full-length will further explore. And if Liberation is any indication, I'm gonna have my money ready.