J-Live's elastic, laconic style is most similar to De La Soul's Posdnuos; both share a love of words (J-Live teaches English to middle-school students) and arrange them in blooming bunches. When J-Live puts them together in context, like on "Nights Like This" and "A Charmed Life," it's a true rush. "One For the Griot," "Stir of Echoes" and "Satisfied" will all have hip-hop fans choking on superlatives. Approach this album as a novel, pick it up, soak it up, then revisit it in a couple days. All of the Above reveals new colors and textures with each listen, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who values lyrical skill.