Customer Reviews

Black Is....

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

i love these folks.
pointblank.

no sexually suggestive lyrics over-scored by gratuitous production work...

no pre-teen/pop-minded/filthy-fleen-flarth... (sorry... channelin a lil bill cosby. my bad/wont happen again, i swair!)

but this is just a good, grownfolk's album...

equal parts billy holiday, earthwind&fire and curtis mayfield...

if you're here, readin this, then you already know or have already heard a little bit about them... dont be scurred now...

commit yourself...

...fulfill your 'rite of passage' into adulthood.

I bought this CD after having seen Fertile Ground perform live in April. All I can say is Wow! Their music is spiritual, yet fun and lively -- they had people dancing in the crowded aisles of the theater. This is real music folks.

Fertile Ground's style encompasses jazz, reggae, samba with a little hip hop for good measure. And what can I say about Navasha Daya's voice? This vocalist sounds a lot like Phyllis Hyman to me, but far from being a soundalike, Daya is definitely a unique talent. She is a commanding presence not just because of her powerful set of pipes, but she has a way of engaging the audience that makes you want to watch this group all night. And the band does not play second fiddle to her voice because they can all hold their own. That is the hallmark of a good group -- when the musicians get to shine as much as the vocalist. As good their live show is, the CD is even better because you get to hit repeat as often as you like.

"Black Is" features 10 tracks along with some interludes and an instrumental. The title song is a love song to Black people that speaks to inner beauty and strength and exhorts the listener to remain steadfast. "Changing Woman" is a song that upholds the woman's various roles in life and is billed as a tribute to a native spirit. This is a balanced CD with some uptempo music that will make you groove, as well as some slower thought-provoking tracks.

This is definitely music for those of us with more on our minds than the latest dance step and material goods. I recommend it.

Eversince I heard "Broken Branches" I've been a fan, adding all things "Fertile Ground" to my CD collection every step of the way. Although every CD they've released is remarkable in their own right, they seem to push the envelope that much more with every release. "Black Is..." is no exception. You couldn't have asked for a better opening track than "Spirit World", and the whimsical journey from front to end is nonstop.

We have Fertile Ground in heavy rotation on projectVIBE Internet Radio. Check it out, http://www.projectvibe.net and get your hands on that album!

Fertile Ground is absolutely one of the best underground groups around, period. I have all of their CD's and each one is an absolute treasure. Black Is, their latest offering, is no exception. I love how they have incorporated elements of Afro-Pop, Acid jazz & spoken word into this work. Navasha Daya in one of my favorite vocalists and I'm sure you will agree that know pop diva can match the purity of her range. As far as the CD's lyrical content, there simply isn't a weak link in this chain. It kicks all the way through!!! If you like music with a message that is just excellent, Fertile Ground is really who you need to invest in, I promise you won't be dissapointed. And, if they come to a venue near you, GO SEE THEM!!! Their live performance is electrifying.

This 4th release is the best yet. The preceeding albums are also awesome. If you haven't heard this group, do yourself a favor and buy all the cd's.

FERTILE GROUND IS THE QUINTESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE OF ALL THAT HAS LIVED AND THRIVED BEFORE IT...A COSMIC BLEND OF JAZZ, R&B, HIP HOP, BLUES, SOUL, FUNK FUSION...DAMN!! AND WHAT DISTINGUISHES FG FROM SO MANY OTHERS PAST AND PRESENT IS ITS PURITY AND WHOLESOMENESS...CLEAN AND UNTAINTED, UNCOMPROMISED, FREE SPIRITED AND CONVICTED, COMMITTED TO EXPRESSING THE GREATNESS OF THE ONE, THE ALL AND NOTHING, THE MOTHER, FATHER, SON, DAUGHTER ENERGY OF THIS GREAT METAVERSE AND BEYOND...DAMN!!! GET ALL OF THEIR CD'S...ALL OF THEM!!! AND PREPARE FOR SELF EXPLORATION...EACH AND EVERY CUT HAS DIFFERENT MEANINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES...YOUR FAVORITES WILL CHANGE FROM WEEK TO WEEK...DAY TO DAY...DAMN!! FG REIGNS RIGHTEOUSLY!!!

Oh My Goodness! Such incredible musicians and Navasha Daya is a vocalist for the ages. This is such an inspiring piece of work that can uplift you no matter what is going on with you. Take Me TO Heaven! Black Is.......... and all the other tracks really hit home. We Love U........Fertile Ground.

I really appreciate this album. I think a group like Fertile Ground isn't really the kind of group whose albums you should compare. Each album is work of art in its own rite. This last album finds the band still pushing forward and breaking ground. I Love the title cut Black Is Beautiful. Yellow Daisies is strong. Spirit World is an amazing recording and in general the album is extremely refreshing. Think of EWF at their prime. IT is that good. I would recommend this album to anyone who loves music

I was first exposed to Mia Miata's Urban Arias. Urban Arias was very impressive I must say! Now, I heard Fertile Ground's "Black Is" and I was indeed impressed by the independent level of talent that comes from Baltimore.

Baltimore is a musical mecca for very talented folks!

Just when I was beginning to think that Incognito was the best thing since sliced bread, I heard "Misguided Warriors" on a local college radio station. I rushed out and bought this band's album, "Spiritual War" the next day and I have been a fan ever since. Much like the other three albums, this album is nothing short of amazing. My favorites are "Changing Woman", "Yellow Daisies", "Black Is...", "A Blues For Me" and "You". If you enjoy great music, this album is for you. I also highly recommend their other three albums: "Field Songs"(good luck in finding it), "Spiritual War" and "Seasons Change".