Customer Reviews

2:35pm

5 star:		(36)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Calvin Richardson's "2:35 PM" is no earth-shaker of an album, but it's a pleasant ride that's not without its merits. It amazes me how quickly indiscriminate listeners will lazily peg an artist as "neo soul." To me, this isn't "neo soul" or "nu soul." With a few exceptions, this is pretty much a standard r&b record, and there's nothing wrong with that. There's no denying that the production is first-rate, as shown on tracks like "I've Got to Move," the smooth ballad "Not Like This," "She's Got the Love," "You Got Me High," and the true standout "More Than a Woman." And he's blessed with a gritty voice that's clearly been raised in the church. I just wish "2:35 PM" weren't littered with so many trite lyrics ("Girl, the way I feel for you/ I neva felt this way before" or "There's one thing I'm sure about/ I can't live without your love"). But while Richardson may not be the world's most inspired poet, he does at least come across as sincere. A man who's into romance and genuinely cares about the one he's with. And that's more than what can be said for a lot of these five-and-dime singers, who seem to be cut from the same r&b cloth. Though flawed, "2:35 PM" shows promise, has some replay value, and is ultimately worth a listen.

I am a 40 year old young woman who cannot relate to a lot of the music today. Then came CALVIN RICHARDSON!!! The voice, the lyrics, the music is just outstanding. This CD is so good, it made me put down my SOLO, TEMPTATIONS AND LAKESIDE. I was watching video's when I heard 'KEEP ON PUSHING' for the first time. I purchased the CD for that cut and found the CD is loaded with beautiful real soulful music. I love it so much, I purchased the 1st CD. Thank you Calvin for sharing that God givin talent with the world. I cant wait for the next CD. Please come to Oklahoma City and bring Eryka with ya...smile

Can you remember the last time you picked up a cd and every cut on there was tight? I can't. That is, until I heard Calvin Richardson's 2:35pm. This cd is absolutely ridiculous! I'ts ridiculous that every song on here is hott! It's ridiculous that he has brought back to RnB what others have taken away: the soul and heart of it. When I heard this cd, I just had to buy it (and I don't know when the last time I bought a cd was) b/c every song on here caught my attention. Bottom line: the brother can sang! This cd is a must have and it possesses what I've been wanting out of all of these RnB artists for so long...real RnB.

First let me say that I'm writing this review while listening to this CD for the FIRST TIME and HALF WAY through it. It's bloody outstanding!!!!!! I'm feeling so good listening to it. One of the best albums I've heard in a while. WOW!!! Anyone who says that Calvin is just OK - needs to get their hearing checked or just to high on their horse to understand it. Calvin has a very soulful - jazzy - wonderful sound. You'll love it. He sings about love. Being in love - loosing love - falling out of love - making love - what love can do to you & for you - how it can make you feel and needing love. He does it in a very tasteful way & how can that be wrong. I love this guy. I wish I could sing with him. He makes me feel that good.

Calvin Richardson is an old soul. His music screams of the 60's. His vibe puts you in a smoky, feel good mood. His flow is effortless rarely oversinging and adding annoying ad libs. He is a true singer. The unique voice he displays carries the entire album and the production is nearly flawless, at times putting you into a trance. Songs such as More Than A Woman, Keep on Pushin, Fallin Out, She's Got The Love, and Not Like This are magnificent songs that you can play over and over again and not get tired. His voice and style is more suited for the ballads and midtempos so some of the uptempo stuff sounds out of place such as I've Got To Move and Cross My Heart. But other than that minor discrepancy Calvin Richardson's album is a must have; on par with Anthony Hamilton's Coming From Where I'm From. 4.5 stars.

This cd is tight as hell. I hope this guy does start to get a little more attention because all his reviews on this site pretty much sound the same.He has genuine talent, and he is just what the new school needs cause he does come off a little bit as a throw back but in a good way. Not too many crooners nowadays have a lot of range but he does, he could sing R.Kelly, Ginuwine, and R.L. under the table. His songs are soulful and have a great melody and when you listen to him you can't help but pay attention to the words and he has wonderful lyrics too. So please cop this cd because if you don't you will be missing out on something really special.

Since hearing Calvin with Angie Stone where I heard the first version of "More Than A Woman" and dueting with Jill Scott on her live album, I, too, have come to the conclusion that Calvin is indeed ready and I expect wonderful things from him in the future. However this album reminds me of participating in countless gospel musicals where you have 3 or 4 hot choirs and then comes the dreaded "Quartet" complete with overly loud guitars and mediocre singers. Some of the cuts on this CD fall in the latter category. Surprisingly enough, this could have been remedied (or at least camouflaged) by simply redoing the order of the songs. The A&R department failed him by not beginning the CD with the glorious "More Than A Woman", the standout cut on the CD, and the one that put him on the map, more or less. All the cuts after that are far superior to the 4 before that.

There is also some confusion as to which form of R&B to embrace. The last group to seamlessly and successfully blend various forms of R&B was Toni Tony Tone on their wondrous project "House of Music" about 6 years ago. Make no mistake about it: Calvin can (and will) embrace any variation he so desires, i.e., soul, neo-soul, blues, hip-hop, etc. And to his credit, the most remarkable aspect of this CD (as well as his last one) is the respect he has for women. Not once did I hear him reduce any female to a b***h or use any similarly derogatory terms. He worships them and convinces them that he can and will take care with their emotions as well as their bodies and for that he should be lauded.

It is a shame and I heartily agree with the other reviewers that he should be more widely promoted. This is a singer who will not have to rely on his looks (even though, he IS fine!): he has a phenomenal talent that will not go gently into that good night, thankfully.

In any event, I hope this project does well. It is patently obvious that the appeal is to a younger audience....that does not, however, preclude an older admirer from recognizing true talent as opposed to another in an endless array of eye candy with mediocre talent. Moreover, when he realizes his core audience transcends age, his product will mature as well. I love hearing this guy sing and I think you will too. He is reminiscent of JoJo's delivery but smoother. And for younger audiences, this CD may be well worth your time. For mature audiences, he will have to invest in more substantive material/arrangements to last in this business. I wish him the best because he deserves it.

This cd is soul music at it's best. Calvin's voice brings to mind such greats as Sam Cooke and Bobby Womack. His lyrics are real. Yeah, he sings about love, but it isn't fake sounding like most R&B love songs these days. He sings about messing up, but he isn't giving excuses, he's trying to work past it. He sings about life, but he sings about where he's going and what he's going through, rather than how bad his past may have been or "I'm getting paid now, I think I'll go buy some islands." or some mess like that. I like that about him. He isn't trying to be something that he's not, and he hasn't changed his style just to get airplay, which, though it may have hindered his success, only raises him another notch in my book.

Calvin Richardson's album 2:35pm is a breath of fresh air, on the music scene, not many artists can capture the emotion of past musicians and bottle it up into one great cd!. This album improves on his first (country boy) which was also a good cd, the reason i give calvin a 4 star is because his lyircs all though soothing and undastandable are not as deep as other soul artists like, luther vandross, brian mcknight and anthony hamilton. but over all my favorite cd in my collection, definetly missing out if you dont buy

I am so impressed w/ Calvin. I wasn't really up on game when it came to him. I saw his videos and thought, oh another R&B dude, trying to sing to the ladies. But oh my goodness. I was stumped when I saw the movie "Deliver us from Eva" and heard his song "More than a woman" in the background. I thought, dag, that is a hot song. And who is singing that!? I immediately went online and found it was him. I listened to a couple of samples and took a chance on him, and WOW! I love his voice. When he sings, I find myself nodding my head saying, "Sing boy!" One can tell if the artist trully feels what their singing. And I really admire that about him. He draws you into his story. You've got to give him a chance. He's mad talented. And under played. As always, this is one for the archives!