The Dreamer/The Believer Warner Bros***

It was clear from the get-go that Common was playing the long game. The Dreamer/The Believeris album No 9 from a rapper whose career has taken many twists and turns, including diversions to Hollywood. Here he's reunited with Windy City producer No ID for the first time since 1994's Resurrection, and the rematch with his old sparring partner works a treat. The Dreamer/The Believerhas a beautiful, soulful blur to it, reminiscent of when Common was known as Common Sense and mining that old-school backpacker vibe. But that Common isn't this Common, and you get a taste of life's experiences and lessons when he rhymes on tracks such as The Dreamer(with Maya Angelou), Ghetto Dreams(where he goes line to line with Nas) and The Believer(with John Legend as his foil). A hip-hop veteran showing he's still got game. See thinkcommon.com

Download tracks: The Believer, Ghetto Dreams