Customer Reviews

Brother Sister

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have loved this album from the very first moment it graced my ears. N'Dea Davenport's vocal depth is superbly showcased on this disc. I highly suggest this album to anyone who has an open ear for good music. The band brings out the magic in N'Dea's voice and she in turn brings out the magic in the band. It's been 8 years since the initial release of this album and it brought me through a very tough time in my life and continues to bring joy and hope to this very day.

Undoubtedly, "Dream on Dreamer" was released as the first single off of this CD because it was co-written by then hot producer Dallas Austin. To this day it remains the closest thing that the Brand New Heavies have had to a major pop hit (where it unfortunately stalled at #51). It did however have a much better run on the R&B charts, where it hit the Top 20. Amazingly, no other track from the CD even hit the charts. This is incredible given the fact that the CD also includes several tracks that equal if not surpass the first single in quality.

Immediately, the title track comes to mind. N'Dea Davenport gave one of the best vocal performances that year in a song that is as uplifting as it is powerful. The instrumentation is incredibly rich with a finish that is dynamite. It also tells a great story. The songs makes you wish that Hollywood would not limit today's musical films to strictly animated films. Simply put, the song is a show stopper.

For fans of 1970s funk that may have not experienced the Heavies before, their sound is a blend of the Average White Band and Tower of People with a softer side, somewhat reminiscent of groups like Loose Ends ("Stay a Little While, Child") and Seawind ("What Cha Doin'"). Definitely, a combination that separates them from the pack.

First and foremost, a great band, the Heavies kick some serious butt on the instrumental front. "Ten Ton Take," "Snake Hips" and a jam session entitled "Los Burritos" are all solid. The predominantly instrumental "Have a Good Time," has a solid groove as well. Also check out the tail end of "People Giving Love." In the latter track they slip a segue at the end that is so f-u-n-k-y.

Other stand out tracks are the songs written entirely by band member Jan Kincaid. These are "Back to Love" (where he sings a vocal duet with Davenport), "Keep Together," and "Forever" (which closes the set). N'Dea sings lead on the version of "Keep Together" included on this CD. The remix album includes an identical arrangement of the song, but with Kincaid singing lead in place of N'dea. For Heavies fans, it is definitely worth checking out.

Their signature retro-1970s vibe is in full effect with "Spend Some Time" and "Day Break." "Mind Trips" is highlighted by a nice vocal arrangement. "Fake," while okay, reminds one too much of the Alexander O'Neal track of same name. The reggae-fied "People Giving Love," except for the aforementioned segue at the end, is a bit bland.

In short, while not as fresh and funky as their self-titled album, BROTHER SISTER is still miles above the pack. If you like the Heavies, this CD should definitely be on your CD rack. For others, it also deserves a listen. The title track alone is worth the price of the CD -- it's that good.

It was pleasing to see the experience and confidence of the previous New York shows and gigs,leading to the excellent*Heavy Rhyme Experience Vol 1*.The good vibes were now translated into the second outing on the Delicious Vinyl label,and such a funky and commerically accessible translation it was and remains!!!!
*Brother Sister*,is a consistent and funky product,with N'Dea Davenport in fine form,interpreting that 70s based funk of Kincaid,Levy and Bartholomew.The memory of Acid Jazz is still strong on the agenda,but a softer vocal appeal,with some consideration for the non clubbing,non dancing *punter*,is ushered in.
I personally feel the instrumental or predominantly instrumental tracks like *Snake Hips*, stand strong,but one could not argue with the vocals of Ms Davenport,on *the Title track,*Brother Sister*,*Dream On Dreamer*,*The World Keeps Spinning*,*Daybreak* and *Forever*.The American release,unfortunately does not seem to have the version of *Midnight At the Oasis*,which was chart successful,and depending upon your view has either enhanced the BNHs reputation to cover more commerically accessible material,or has become a *millstone*around their necks,which has limited the appreciation of their other work,which had originally attracted me to the group.Ms Davenport delivers vocals that liven the 70s standard and the offering fits beautifully into this well produced and grooving set.It is hard not to want to get up and dance to this CD!!
This outing shows the experience that had come from being a predominantly live outfit.They had built a strong and loyal following from their dynamic presence on stage. With familiarity that comes from the bonds between the members,they clearly matured into a niche funk and soul band with a dynamite lead vocalist.The vocal diversity of Ms Davenport,the excellent muscianship of the trio,the ability to use supplementary musicians( based around that killer brass section from the previous 5 years).It amazes me still, that three school friends from Ealing, London,could translate so groove friendly, into the American psyche and the R&B charts, if not so much the pop market!!! The BNHs groove and funk through this set,standing them light years ahead of other similar acts.
Unfortunately,Ms Davenport,always a solo singer on *loan* from Delicious Vinyl*was emarking on or returning to her solo career,soon after this release,and then enter,Siedah Garrett..another review,another *Shelter*.
Savour this funky collection,the vocals and the groove.If you have fond memories of the 70s funk of George Clinton and Sly & The Family Stone,with a little more accessibility..this is for you.
Enhanced enjoyment guaranteed after each listen..its that kind of music.5 stars plus .....a must for any CD collection.Lets All Just Have A Goodtime!

I like all kinds of music. I chased the Grateful Dead around in high school and college, caught many Allman Bros shows, have jammed out with "newer" jam bands like Phish and Widespread Panic, seen one of the best concerts I've been to at a Beastie Boys concert, grooved at good reggae concerts like Toots and the Maytals, and enjoyed some great live bluegrass shows with bands like Seldom Scene. My point, I love all genres of music and this album is one of my all-time favorites. It is one of those albums that, if I could only take 10 CDs with me to live on a deserted island - I would take Brother Sister. Song for song, it is one of my favorite albums.

This album does a great job of mixing up the sound so that you get variations from a great studio jam band - I love their horns and the vocals are great. This is one of the albums that you play in your car, loud, and just smile and enjoy!

I still love this album 12 yrs after the fact!
This album is like watching one of those great
Scorsese pictures that have been out for yrs
but every time you see it, you see something that
you never saw before!(In this case, hear!)
N'Dea and the boyz were kickin' azz
and takin' names on this one from the begining to end!
This is just a masterpiece and dare I say,
a template to which the whole neo-soul movement
was built from! (*This one and Me'shell N'Degeocello's
1993 debut "Plantation Lullabies"!!)

The highlights**
"Have A Good Time" (Retro Trunk-Funk!)
"Brother Sister" (Slick Jazzy Funk w/ a message!)
"Dream On Dreamer" (Groovy , Airy & Uplifting!)
"Mind Trips" (Syncopated Funk Perfection!)
"Keep Together" (Just A Nice Feel & I like the message!)
"Forever" (Lush & Funky!)
"Daybreak" ( Universal Message and Upbeat Groove!)

I could just see D'Angelo, Maxwell, Erykah Badu, Zhane,
The Roots, Floetry and Musiq all sitting around and
listening to this in the early 90's and
saying "This is the way to go!"
Buy It!--You can't lose!

This cd came out my senior year of high school. 10 yrs later it is still one of my favorites. "Dream on Dreamer" is one of my favorite songs. I love the Heavies!!!! This cd is a definite must have...one of the best cd's in my collection...

Over the years I've heard it said again and again that Brand New Heavies is a genre defining album in terms of acid jazz and the funk revival of the 1990's. And while that is a very good album I have to say there's a significant amount of musical and creative growth on this second release. During the early 90's BNH were a band very much out on a mission to "save music" in their eyes;the question is what were they trying to save it from. True the type of funk/R&B they alway specialized in is a versitile and demanding musical style that was more than open for expansion after the late 80's but all the same this along with many other bands in the acid jazz world seemed more intent on reviving what was rather than expanding on unexplored subgenres of funk and R&B. On this album,released four years after their debut and between that and a 1992 hip-hop collaboration this album showcases the band looking to change all that. On this album the band expand more on the jazzy end of their sound as well as exploring the disco and sophistifunk end of the spectrum,styles that lend themselves well to bands of this sort and are a good medium for growth in a studio setting. True songs such as "Have A Good Time",the title song,"Ten Ton Take" and "Mind Trips" very recall the rather bare bones funk styles of their debut they are more slickly played and there's a stronger effort at bring songcraft and a higher level of melody to the instrumental aspects of the song. As the album gets into itself the ether of their new approch emmerges. On "Fake" there's a more pronounced sense of a social conscience,always present but here no one can mistaken the bands outlook on some of the surfacy and superficial aspects of the era around them (which in a way they'd been a part of early on with their funk revivalist clishes) and all of the realities that do exist around us. On "Some Some Time" they come to terms with the disco funk sound whereas "Back To Love","Forever", and "Daybreak" the midtempo sophistifunk sound,with a good measure of orchestration and electric keyboards to keep the sound fresh and interesting. The reggae sounds of "People Giving Love" isn't surprising but it also adds yet another new flavor to the bands sound and even though BNH still to this day have continued to look for news ways to adapt their basic sound this emerges one of their more consistant and enjoyable albums.

I'm compelled to write a review because I realized that since this came out I've had it on a casette and it has never been out rotation in my car stereo. This is a real band with a beautiful style.

BNH really broke loose with this one, an intoxicating mix of jazz ("Snake Hips"), funk ("Fake"), and soul ("Spend Some Time").

If I were trapped on a desert island with a cd player and I could choose one CD, this would be it. Brother Sister is flawless, plain and simple.