Customer Reviews

Another Level

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After seeing the video for "No Diggity" on MTV, people might have been scratching their heads and wondering, Who are the new guys? What happened to Dave Hollister and Levi Little? Well, the new guys are Eric Williams and Mark Middelton. As for what happened to, Dave Hollister started a successful solo career on Def Soul, and Levi Little apparently turned into an M.I.A. Some people may be skeptical about the revolving door concept, but let me tell you, in this case it works.

This album is arguably one of the best albums of the `90s. The dope vocals combined with Teddy Riley's production and computer work shows great results. Teddy may be the founder of the group, but when it comes to singing, Mark is the dominating one. He brings it home with smooth songs like "Never Gonna Let You Go" (talking about renewed love) and feel-good songs like "Happy Song." But the other members contribute as well. There are dope fast songs like the Grammy-winning "No Diggity" (where everyone has a place in the song), not to mention "Fix" and "I'll Give It To You." Then, of course, there are slow jams like the aforementioned (and catchy) "Never Gonna Let You Go," as well as "Let's Stay In Love" and their remake of The Beatles' "(Money Can't) Buy Me Love."

You can't even go wrong with the interludes on this album. Teddy lets his daughters shine on "Deja's Poem" and "Taja's Lude," "My Paradise" is a nice short song that would sound great a capella, and "Motherlude" showcases touching testimonies from each of their mothers. There's even a radio interview found in "BLACKstreet (On The Radio)," where Teddy states that BLACKstreet, not Guy, is in his heart. (After hearing Guy III, don't you wish he followed his heart?)

The intro, like many intros, gives us a taste of what they have in store for us. Still, most people won't be prepared for an album this good. Do yourself a favor and get it.

This cd was the best cd that blackstreet ever did. Their first cd was good and it had lot of songs that I think people would be suprised to know that they remade...and made it better. This cd is no different and they take it to another level no doubt with every song. No diggty became a new slang after they droped it with Dre and Queen Pen(who lays down a tight verse on this track) and that song is still good listening to it now. Every song flows into the next and makes it hard to think about even pressin the skip button. They mixed in Jazz and hip/hop[ with everytrack. A good example is the intro. The Song "no diggity" reminds me of down south ..like in one of those movies where they showning the old days where people was pickin cotton..listen to the beginning........"Um hmmmmm....Gotta get doown Good Lawd..etc." Other good tracks: (the whole cd)I can't think of any track here thats not worth listening to. Their latest album wasen't as good but this one will always be their best. Teddy just keeps bringing the hits and with this he takes it to another level.

Don't sleep on this...get it!

This is a fine CD of great R&B songs, especially the slow jams. Has some old school flava and has some contemporary urban edge too. Street and slick, great arrangements and production by Teddy "Street" Riley (Michael Jackson, Keith Sweat, Hi-Five, Today, Guy) and great vocals throughout this disc led by Chauncey "Black" Hannibal with special guests; producer Tommy Sims and string arranger Jeremy Lubbock. This is not a new CD but all the songs are still fresh today. Stands the test of time. Well worth the bucks.

Another Level makes BLACKstreet's first effort look like a warm-up. Although original members David Hollister and Levi Little left the group, their replacements, Eric Williams and Mark Middleton easily pick up the slack and help the group take their music to Another Level. Spawned by the success of their debut single, "No Diggity," BLACKstreet proves that they are more than just another R&B quartet. "Don't Leave Me," and "I Wanna Be Your Man" are nice songs to jam to, while "Never Gonna Let You Go," and "Let's Stay In Love" are both more than just your average ballad. BLACKstreet literally does take R&B music to Another Level on this one...

This group is one of the all time greats! They have such a great vibe and they sing so well together that its almost unreel. Another Level is the only Blackstreet album I own but I think that its terrific in the way that they mix Rap, R&B with beutiful beats and vocals. They seem to take a listener to places few can go though the lyrics that they put in there songs. Songs like " Good lovin', Let's stay in love, Don't leave me, and (Money can't) Buy me love" are prime examples of old school love songs and PHAT new school beats. I hope to hear much, much more from these guys in the future and I cant wait for a new album to come out in stores.

This CD is definetaly one of the best r+b Cd's to date. Their like the hip/hop version of boyz II Men. I recomend this CD to all those who enjoy harmony along with great beats. My favorite songs were: Fix, No diggtiy, Stay,.......Just every song. Can't wait until their next album "Finally" comes out. It's goin be the BOMB DIGGITY!!!!!!!!

Overall, this is one of the best R&B albums I've heard in a long time. But some of the the songs start sounding so damn repetitive.In my not-so-humble opinion, "Fix" is the worst song on the album, while "Never Gonna Let You Go" and "Paradise" and the 2 best.

Not being all that familiar with Blackstreet's music, I found this CD to be very impressive as soon as the first listen! There is obviously a lot of sampling, but unlike most R&B/rap bands, Blackstreet puts a better spin on it. And, yes, it's almost too hard to differentiate them from the sound of Boyz II Men, but they still pull it off. The only problem I had with the CD overall are the tracks 10 ( "Taja's Lude"), 14 (Blacksteet interview), and 18 ("Motherlude")....what IS this??? Did they need some filler for an already lengthy CD?? I mean, c'mon, it's cute and sentimental, but does it belong on a CD? Guys, we want to hear music, not poems and Mama's lectures! However, because there is thankfully a `Skip' button on all CD players, I'm giving this a 4-star " go buy it" rating for great, entertaining jazzy R&B music...best I've heard in this day and age for quite some time!

Bottom-Line: When all is sung and done, Blackstreet's "Another Level" is well worth the time you will spend listening to it...

It a rare occasion indeed when I find myself enjoying an album in its entirety, but this is the case with Blackstreet's "Another Level" the sophomore album from the threesome. Blackstreet, which was formed in 1992 by Teddy Riley, former member of the group Guy, released its first album entitled BLACKstreet to lack luster reception.

But the group more than made up for it with "Another Level", propelled by the success of the single No Diggity (featuring Dr. Dre among others). The song would go on to win would go on to win a Grammy Award in 1998 for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The 19-track album would eventually go triple-platinum in the U.S. and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard R&B charts.

Teddy Riley is the production mastermind behind the excellent rhythms, vocals, lyrics, and urban sound that is "Another Level", and the album is arguably his finest achievement. Riley is joined by Eric Williams, and Mark Middleton, and together the group rode the new wave of urban-infused R&B that swept the `90's. With classic R&B harmonizing vocals, sharp production, and smart lyrics, "Another Level" is a timeless CD that is enjoyable throughout its 70-minutes running time.

"Another Level" has just the right mix of fast and slow tracks to hold ones attention throughout its ambitious length. While track No. 3 No Diggity has received most of the critical praise from the CD (eargasms and all), other tracks throughout are just as good and dare I say just as infectious and well written. Track No. 2 This is How We Roll, track No. 4 Fix, track No. 5 Good Lovin', track No. 6 Let's Stay in Love, track No.9 I Wanna Be Your Man, track No. 17 Happy Song, and track No. 19 The Lord Is Real, come immediately to mind.

Track No. 2 This How We Roll has a relaxed bass backbeat that is easy to dance to, while track No. Good Lovin' is a classic bump and (hip) grind song that made the R&B music so fun to listen to. "Another Level" floats effortlessly from one track to the next giving the illusion that you are listening to one continues track instead of 19 individual songs. Of course not all 19 are full songs, there are a number of "interlude numbers" designed to be fun asides from the music, but it's all good. When all is sung and done, Blackstreet's "Another Level" is well worth the time you will spend listening to it, and the money you might lay down t purchase it.

VOCALLY NOT MANY GROUPS TODAY CAN TOUCH THE VOCAL STYLINGS OF BLACKSTREET! THEY WERE ONE OF THE BEST R&B GROUPS TO DATE...THIS CD SHOULD'VE GOTTEN WAAAAAY MORE CREDIT AND ACCOLADES THAN IT DID.