Reviews Written by Andre'
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December 15, 2005
A High Quality Debut!
Pros: Dreamy,Romantic And Musically Original
Cons: Perhaps a bit gentle for most Prince fans
'For You' is Prince's first album.It's not only one of my favorites of his but one of my favorite CD's of all time.Why?Because it's do unlike Prince's usual fare.The lyrics are mysterious and romantic and the variation of the Minneapolis sound it presents is
very whimsical and imaginative.Prince
plays all the instrumets on it-without the use of horns and strings.
This is primarily a funky album with uptempy tunes such as "Soft And Wet",
"In Love" and "Just As Long As We're Together" dominating.But the pretty acoustic "Crazy You" and "So Blue"
with the beautiful water drums are remarakble ballads.Oh so gentle by Prince standards but the man had serious talent from the beginning. ... -
December 11, 2005
Awakenings
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: Dramatic Soul Production And Brilliant Songwriting
Cons: Middle Of The Road Singing
'Awakening' certainly has alot of guest artists,the most noticable of whom is Carlos Santana.'I Don't Want Nobody Else (To Dance With You' was his big hit and it's a hard slamming funky tune,like all the uptempo stuff here a clear indication this is a 'drummers' album.'The title track is part of a jazzier suite the encompasses the final third of the album.So balanced between the dance/soul/funk with gospel influences of the first half and the orchestral R&B of the second half 'Awakenings' has the feel more of a great producer and musician then a great vocal talent.But the music is fantastic. ...
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December 11, 2005
New Directions For The Dead
Pros: Heavy On The Soul,Lacking On The Rock Jams
Cons: Not The Old Grateful Dead Exactly
The Grateful Dead were certainly one of the last great psychedelic bands of the 60's to maintain there style through it all.The band had never really thought in terms of grooves before.They had done some things that would cross over and worked in both worlds.'Shakedown Street' primarily explores classic 60's soul but it's title cut find the Dead trying to blend funk into there sound,very successfully.it's a classic.'France'
; is a very unusual composition-cosmic lyrics and a mix of Caribean street music and and jazz.The last few songs delve into average Dead territory but the good moments are great. ... -
December 11, 2005
A Brilliant Band Hitting Their Stride At Last
Pros: A Smooth And Solid Mix Of Melody,Grooves And Rhythms
Cons: Maybe One Too Many Instrumentals Away From Across The Board Success
'Head To The Sky' is EWF's second Columbia album and the beginning of the band finding their sound.The classic linup with Al McKay and Andrew Woolfolk are fully in the lineup.The first three songs are seamless grooves-the eerily rhythmic 'Evil',the classic smooth jam of the title track and the tremendous funk of 'Build Your Nest'.'Clover&#
39; is also a beatiful number.EWF are still in the key of making highly afro-cuban/jazzy kind of soul music so they didn't cross over completely with this album but it proved their sound could be more commercialy viable. ... -
December 11, 2005
Meaningful Music For The Masses
Pros: Alot Of Socially Conscious Message Tracks And Crackerjack Musicianship
Cons: Often Too Gutteral And Visceral For Most Tastes
'Last Days & Time' is Earth,Wind & Fire's first Columbia album.Three funky songs from the album 'Time Is On Your Side','Power' and 'Remember The Children' were in heavy rotation in the bands pre stardom concerts.This album has two major flaws:1)for an album aimed straight at the pop charts the music is some of the rawest the band ever recorded 2)even on the few pop cover songs none of the music here is very melodic or radio worthy.In fact with the exception of the closer 'Mom' nothing on 'Last Days And Time' was played on the radio at all.Not a great way for the excellent Ronnie Laws and the soon to be supplicant Roland Bautista to exit the band. ...
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October 17, 2005
The Best Lenny White Album I Have Heard
Pros: Funk At The Premium And Full Of Dynamics
Cons: In my opinion not enough vocals
'Streamline' has one highlite for Lenny White.A funk version of the Beatles "Lady Madonna" thrown down by singers Don Blackman and Chaka Khan.But the album is full of terrific in the pocket grooves that never get out of control but are spacious and dynamic."Pooh Bear" and the funky "Time" are also highlites and classics in the Lenny White solo catalog.I recommend this album highly to anyone who wants to get into Lenny White's music. ...
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October 16, 2005
Instrumental Magic
Pros: Imaginative,colorful,cr
eative,clever,funky and vibrant Cons: Took too long to come out on CD
I thank Wounded Bird for putting George Duke's most obscure album on CD at last.On this all instrumental album George Duke plays all the instruements.Some of the tunes are vibrant,faced paced solo acoustic piano pieces but the majority feature drums and synthesizers.
"Mr.McFreeze" with it's staccatto riffing on the Arp synthesizer is about as riviting as it gets.The funkiest attraction is "Spock Gets Funky" and along with the moaning,moody "Vulcan Mind Probe" (very Mahavisnu Orchestra if I may say so myself) this album will appeal to not only the big George Duke fan but fans of jazz-funk and fusion. ... -
Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants
by Stevie Wonder | MusicPrice: $35.48 to $35.48 Compare PricesOctober 16, 2005
Obscure References But Innovative Music
Pros: Airy,dramatic and original
Cons: Not accessible to the average lover of pop music
Most of this 2 CD soundtrack is the instrumental soundtrack to an obscure documentary about plants but this contains two of my all time favorite Stevie Wonder songs-the hit "Send One Your Love" and the brilliant,ethereal "Power Flower".Both these pop vocal numbers are airily beautiful despite the presence of the harsh,adscract discoish electronica of "Race Babbling".A very moving and powerful work of art. ...
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October 16, 2005
Stevie Wonder Comes Of Age
Pros: Obviously the work of a genius and very poignant
Cons: Inconsistant due to overreaching eclecticism
'Where I'm Coming From' is Stevie Wonder's first self produced album and is unlike anything else he's ever done.The opening track "Look Around" is a very sad cautionary tale that along with the clavinet led ballad "Something Out Of The Blue" point to his 70's sound.On the bouncy hit "If You Really Love Me" and the touching "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer" Wonder as always wheres his heart on his sleeve."Do Yourself A Favor" is the only funky tune on the album and hard funk at that.This album moves about alot more then his 70's classics but is worth seeking as a demonstration of his adult talent. ...
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My Earliest Memories
Pros: An Almost Perfect R&B Album
Cons: Another CD That Isn't Long Enough!!!!!
This is a strong candidate for my favorite CD of all time.Heatwave were a ferocious funk band who like EWF could play catchy jams and also (in Heatwave's case) Philly style Northern Soul ballads.Of those types the lovely "Happiness,Togetherness" and "Mind Blowin' Descitions" are beautiful works of art.The rest is pure,unadultrated funky soul such as the ripping "Put The Word Out","The Groove Line" and the playful funk of the title song and "Party Poops".And "Send Out For Sunshine" is a rye piece of sudtle inner city social commentary set to some great clavinet work.One of the first albums I ever heard (on 8-Track no less hehehe)and if someday I am forced to be with only a handful of CD's this will be one of them!
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