Customer Reviews

Brand New Heavies

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In 1990, Acid Jazz was a term unheard of in mainstream music circles, and The Brand New Heavies were indeed brand new. But with vocalist N'Dea Davenport, the pioneering Heavies built a bridge from an underground music sensation in London and stretched it all the way to American radio and MTV. It was a remarkable feat, and their self-titled debut album offers every explanation for it, bursting at the seams with equal parts soul and originality.

As a brand new band, the Heavies didn't know quite what they had on their hands with vocalist N'Dea Davenport; she's only featured on four cuts here, but as it turned out three of them were released as singles and her fiery, soulful vocals wound up being the key to the band's commercial success. She comes on full force on the intoxicating radio smash "Never Stop" and the horn-heavy funk workout "Dream Come True," but pulls back with equal ease on the ultra-smooth "Ride in the Sky" and casts a spell of irresistible seduction on the sultry "Stay This Way."

Of course, featuring Davenport on only four of ten tracks leaves the album a little lop-sided, but thankfully the instrumentals are strong enough to carry the load. "BNH," for all of its jazzy horns and smooth funk rhythms, tidily sums up what the band is all about; "People Get Ready" and "Gimme One of Those" are spirited exercises that sound like outtakes from the "Shaft" soundtrack; and "Put the Funk Back in It" proves the Heavies can shake the house even from a ballad tempo. But the most impressive instrumental cut by far is "Sphynx," a mesmerizing and sophisticated composition that somehow manages to sound like just the sort of thing John Coltrane would record if he were alive and kicking in the 70's.

In fact, so authentic is the album's retro sound, it no doubt sent more than a few early listeners scrambling for the credits to find out if this was a debut release from a new group or an unearthed reissue. From start to finish, the Brand New Heavies take us on an addictive trip back to a time when the grooves were thick, the writing was sophisticated, and the vocals were genuine, unadulterated soul. The Heavies would eventually surpass the heights they reached here, but in retrospect the album offers every clue that they were on their way to becoming legends in the Acid Jazz genre. Heavy indeed.

I love this album because it was my introduction to the BNH!
You can tell that the band had grew up on such
70's American R&B icons as Stevie Wonder,
Brass Construction, Curtis Mayfield, Ohio Players,
E,W&F and Rufus feat. Chaka Khan as well as
70's fusion jazz like Herbie Hancock,
Roy Ayers Ubiquity, The Blackbyrds and
Lonnie Liston Smith, but they wove it into an
interesting and refreshing sound that ruled the
early to mid 90's and influenced acts like
Jamiroquai, Erykah Badu, Maxwell, Amiel Lamiereaux,
etc. and became known as neo-soul here in the states.
N'Dea Davenport's fluid vocals are the perfect
marriage to the bands funky "jazz-perations"!
"Dream Come True", "Stay This Way" "Ride In The Sky" and
"Never Stop" will always have a special place in my heart
and if you like this one, then check out 1994's
sizzling "Brother-Sister", which is just as or
more hot as this one!

This is a Cool album ,N'dea has a voice that transcends time ,she would have been a Knockout in the 50's 60's and 70's ,the Honesty with which she sings really resonates and track 9 in particular is Wonderful.Buy the CD and lets all support these talented People ,they are after all giving us there SOUL.

This CD is out-a-sight!

London is not exactly the place you usually think of when you're looking for searing funk music and surely the Brand New Heavies themselves are in on that joke. (Their publishing company is "Varry White Music", a play on Barry's name no doubt, as well as acknowledging that 3/6 of the members are Caucasians.) The fact that your first inclination is to snicker means you haven't heard these cats.

Every track here sounds like it might have been a lost outtake from the decade of "Superfly" and "Shaft". Despite the great chops of the band members, the real treasure here is the vocals of N'Dea Davenport who seems to have just what each song she's featured on needs, effortlessly floating above "Stay This Way" or testifying for "Dream Come True".

HIGHLIGHTS:
"Shakedown" and "Sphynx" are the standout instrumental tracks here with all 4 songs where N'Dea sings also being stellar ("Dream Come True", "Never Stop", "Ride in the Sky", and "Stay This Way")

LOWS:
"Gimmie One of Those" is probably the least interesting track here. It's an instrumental that's merely average compared with the more interesting ones that surround it.

BOTTOM LINE:
This band is the real deal. Chickenscratch guitar, in the pocket rhythm, and soulful vocals. If you have any interest in funk or acid jazz, you need to check out this album.

I'd been an instant fan to them since 2003 when I 1st heard them on VH1 Soul. Now I named them as my favorite funk/r&b/jazz group of all-time 'cuz of their style and various mix of jazz, r&b, funk, soul, hip-hop, rap, and rock. I luv them from the top since I heard Guru, Impromp2, Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Us3 (4 of my favorite artists to add).

Now u gotta understand 'cuz they're not as overrated like the other artists I listen back in the day y'know. I'm not gon name a whole list of names but just tell the difference behind it.

Brand New Heavies were formed in '93 or '94 or sumthin like that (I couldn't even start from the beginning since reading the artist facts on them on Music Choice). They once been founded by the legendary James Brown y'know who is the Godfather of Soul and the Man that made it all in Funk/R&B history. He's the man behind the music and the man behind the group that they were formed.

I luv them from the top since N'Dea Davenport (formerly the lead singer of the band) left to go on a solo career right 2 or 3 albums with BNH. Isn't that sad? I was so desperate that she had to stay a little longer before forming on her own.

Ok long period short, the opening theme to the CD reminds me of some Grover Washington I'm listening to right now b/c of the horn movement, the bass line, the rhythm section and everything incl. the entrance to the flute. I luv every minute of it. Can't say much 'bout it. Also there some more songs (whom I dubbed my favorites are): "Dream Come True" (takes me back into a speed chase or in a era where jazz music was made by the greats of all-time Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Chet Baker, Thelonious Monk, Harry James, Quincy Jones, etc.) and how did it all started with some horns and vocal singing from Davenport along with the band backing her up. "Never Stop" (we know it's a phenomenal success), "Put the Funk Back in It", "Sphynx", "Shakedown", "Stay this Way, y'know there's a lot I can't add at this particular moment y'know that's all I can think of.

Yep this CD I should keep because of a new era of jazz, neo-soul, jazz-rap, etc. I'm ready 4 that to be revisit more and more than has been since gospel music and gospel hip-hop we talk about incl. rock 'n roll and country.

I'm recommend u check this group 'cuz they're jammin with shreads, I mean SHREADS of funk and r&b knahmsayin.

This cd is what it's all about funk, jazz, soulful vocals and it still sounds amazingly fresh after a few hundred listens. This is where the party's at.

I remember when was 11 or 12 and my dad's college friend came by and as a parting shot she left this tape. My dad listened, thought it was OK and I loved it. I started hearing Never Stop on the radio and played out this cassette. BNH has been my favorite band for 20 years. But sadly, I keep needing to replace this CD. Someone always seems to "borrow" it, and I am on my 3rd copy.

I love the tracks with N'Dea Davenport, she is a great vocalist, and the instrumentals are good as well.

Favorite Tracks:
BNH
People Get Ready (there are some great alternate versions as well with a bit more improve vocals. One version is on the Higher Learning soundtrack)
Never Stop
Say this Way
Dream Come True (the original version is good, on the UK only album that came out before this one. N'Dea makes the song unforgettable though)
Ride in the Sky
Sphynx
Put the Funk Back in IT

Ok I like the whole album, almost. It is funky, great horns and a good intro to the sound. Still waiting for my chance to see them live for a full show.

FYI the UK version of this album has a slightly more pop/dance mix of NEver Stop. Actually all the songs are mixed differently. The American versions are funkier. ANd the greatest hits albums, like Trunk Funk, also have a different mix of the tunes from this album.

Purchased on a whim after seeing a VH1 video. Not quite as interesting as I had hoped. One or two tunes may be worth a listen and a down-load,..don't buy the entire CD.

This is a Cool album ,N'dea has a voice that transcends time ,she would have been a Knockout in the 50's 60's and 70's ,the Honesty with which she sings really resonates and track 9 in particular is Wonderful.Buy the CD and lets all support these talented People ,they are after all giving us there SOUL.