Customer Reviews

Brothers

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

 

 

Whether this is average or subpar probably depends on whether you're comparing this to an average R&B group or Take 6's other work.

The strength and calling card of Take 6 is inventive, jazz-based harmonies. While I don't necessarily think they MUST do them acappella to produce great art, it seems that they do tend to let the arrangements get lax when they have tracks to lean on.

Better tracks are ballad "I'll be There", the slinky warning on "Delilah", Earth Wind and Fire cover "Sing a Song" and "We Don't Have to Cry"built on a hook that features an unusual stop-start meter that works in its favour, and "Don't Let Go" laced with some jazzy sax courtesy of Gerald Albright.

Valleys are the insipid lyric to "Jesus Makes Me Happy" (based loosely on children's standard "If You're Happy and You Know It"..) which unfortunately has some vocal fire that's wasted on it, cliched "the man upstairs is my friend" tune "Can't Stop Thinking 'Bout You", and the repetitive "Do Right" (which wasn't a good song when Paul Davis did it in 1979 either).

While not bad, this is more for completist Take 6 fans. If you're looking for a starting point to their better music, you should begin with their self-titled debut.

2 1/2 stars

as far as i'm concerned, take 6 can do no wrong. but i have to admit that i don't like "brothers" as much as their others cd's. it has some good tracks,such as "jesus makes me happy" and "can't stop thinking 'bout you", but with this cd they sound like a hundred other r&b groups--good, but not unique. with there acappella works they are truly one in a million

I can count on one hand the number of groups that produce both music that I respect and music that inspires me to seek after God. Take 6 is one of those groups. While it's not my favorite of their albums, I can't give it any less than 4 stars for the quality of the musicianship. Theirs is what singing and vocal harmony is all about.

While this is a pop-flavored album (90s pop, no less) and I'm not a pop person, I am thankful for songs like "Delilah" which has reminded me to guard my heart and "We Don't Have to Cry" which continues to fill me with hope. To this day, the latter ranks among my favorite songs of any group.

I know that everyone dogged this album (even me at one time), I listened to it again and I found it to be, well, a pretty nice cd. I mean, the harmonies are A+, even if this is a poppy offering. And, the message of God's love for us is still there. I mean really, do they have to do an acapella album for it to be likable? At any rate, this was a really nice offering by Take 6 and I enjoyed it. So, there!

I was a die-hard Take 6 junkie until the release of this album. What a waste of talent! The potentialy rich and pure vocal harmony they possess are here overshadowed by mediocre, synthesised funk - rap accompinament, supplied by R & B star Brian McKnight. TO ALL FANS: This CD is not worth the price!

I admit, I didn't like it at first, I thought Take 6 had gone secular. The real problem was that I didn't have a true relationship with God. I was caught up it all the "Do's and Dont's" of religion that I missed the real meaning of the album. Now that I have a real, personal, and intamate relationship with God, I can appreciate songs like, "Sing a Song", "You Don't Have to be Afraid", "Chance of a Lifetime", "Deliah", and my all time favorite: "Jesus Makes Me Happy."

I think Take 6 is an awesome group. Playing that Jazzy Acapella that is unique to these guys is a blessing. But on this one; "Get thee behind me satan!" C'mon guys what happened? My prayers are for better music from an outstanding 6.

Perhaps I'm biased -- I seem to love everything this group puts out! But I do honestly like Take 6's fifth album, "Brothers." I am disturbed by some of the criticism by die-hard Take 6 fans regarding the lack of a capella numbers on this recording. While I absolutely love the incomparable vocal harmonies on previous albums, "Brothers" has explored yet another incredible facet of this group. The smooth vocal sounds and rich chord progressions are still there, yet this time they've added layers of great R & B instrumental tracks! I think it's a great combination. As always, Take 6 has stayed true to their message of inspiration and faith, which makes "Brothers" all the more worth listening to. Of course, I would recommend that everyone pick up one of Take 6's a capella works, but brother, don't let "Brothers" pass you by!

Sure, you won't find much a cappella on this one, hence the poor ratings by other listeners. And since so many have tried to keep these guys in the "A Cappella Box" that's understandable. But there are some really powerful tracks, that still justify a second listen for the more open minded. #3 I'll Be There, #5 Chance Of A Lifetime, #6 Can't Stop Thinking 'Bout You, #7 Jesus Makes Me Happy, #8 We Don't Have To Cry and #10 Don't Let Go. If put on any other artist's CD, all would have been highly praised. But these guys just don't get the respect for their diversity, so richly deserved.

Poor choices of singles have also been a problem of the past. Track #2 You Don't Have To Be Afraid, though not a bad song, somehow was chosen over others, seemingly much more marketable, a regular problem with most of their Warner releases. And even now, why hasn't their current independent release "Feels Good" seen its potentially chart breaking "More Than Ever" released as a single? Man how I wish I could advise these guys, whose recordings I've purchased since the beginning. Well, so much for wishful thinking. "Brothers" still deserves much more credit than it has been given though. Just think outside the box a bit.

This CD is another one of Take 6's display of "FLAWLESS" Acapella, rich and unique sound, phenominal Contemporary Gospel/Jazz/R&B music in it's purest form.