Customer Reviews

Brown

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Canadian Ivana Santilli is much less of a diva (the favoured form of R&B songstress these days) than the funky gal next door with the deftest voice and attitude.

Instrumentally adept (she plays brass, keyboards, Rhodes, and sings BGs, among other things), lyrically innovative and daring with her arrangements, Santilli (ex- of Bass Is Base) released this debut album quietly and only in her homeland. A shame, really, because this is wonderfully original dance/R&B music.

Santilli has a panache for intricate melodies, tight vocal harmonies, and avoiding cliches. Her singing is sexy and strong, but never show-offy, always serving the song instead of overwhelming it. And no Toni Braxton or Whitney Houston, with all their big voices, could match her attractively exotic arrangements, melding energy with intelligence and flair

This album is two years old now, but it has a classic sound that I never tire of. If you like people such as St. Germain, Jamiroquai, Nelly Furtado or Sade, then you will probably like this too. It's mellow, funky, uplifting and smooth. Ivana is one talented artist, in the true sense of the word. She sings in English and Italian, plays trumphet and keyboard, sings, and wrote and produced this album all on her own indie label. I met her after one of her shows, and she's also a very nice person. :) I honestly can't say enough good things about her. The album is worth the price. Buy it, you won't regret it.

She's amazing, genius I would even venture to say. She was messing with R&B, turning it into something new before Alicia Keys or India Arie. She's been in the game since her days with Bass is Base. And she's even more amazing live than on her CD, though her tracks are delivered deliberatley, with creative melodies and italian influences. In other words, she's an audio visionary.

At first, I was thinking 'hell, are you kidding me? 25 bucks for a CD after including S$H?' I too am an Acid Jazz Soul fusion artist, and never will I ever be bold enough to charge my CD for that price when I get famous. However, after a full run of this album, each SONG including the 20 second intro is worth 25 bucks a pop to listen...

I rarely EVER listen to R&B music, it's so annoying to me and feels like it has no soul or the lyrics seem irrelevant, but Ivana Santilli is more of a soul singer than an R&B one. I love this CD, it's melodic, soothing, and very thoughtful and soulfull. The music is excellent, well crafted and rich. Songs range from Jazz, to R&B, to Soul and even Jungle (I LOVE Sun+Moon =Tomorow). I recomend this to all fans of innovative music out there. I can't compare Ivana to any other artist. Buy this CD, you won't be dissapointed.

i was one of the few lucky ones to pick up this cd at its earlier release date, almost a year and a half ago now, and i can remember the anticipation i had that day when i placed the cd in my stereo. She is one talented individual, her voice reminiscent of earlier jazz singers, and the music is like a jumble of the toronto music scene. jazz, soul, r&b, even a little drum&bass thrown into the mix, all making for an excellent cd.

Intimate sassy appeal + original crossover genres (soul-acid). Oozes panache and versatility. The CD has a catchy energy and is slightly tinged with sweet-sadness. It's remarkable given that it is Ivana's very first album. Great sound-recording...If you like LES NUBIANS you'll dig these autumnal soul vibes, which are smoother than a large Martini gyrating in the glass.

Brown is probably one of the few albums I have never taken out of my cd changer. It puts you in a mellow, vibin' mood that few albums can do. It's not the typical cd when you love one or two songs and then the next ten or so are crap. EVERY song on Brown you will LOVE. I will be getting her new album Corduroy Boogie asap and another copy of Brown cause it's simply worn out.

Ivana Santilli is truly an AWESOME performer. I purchased her CD on a vacation to Toronto after having seen one of her videos. You can listen to this CD from beginning to end and not be disappointed. She is smooth!!! The United States did not pick up on this and truly lost out.

This is an unbelievable artist .....her album is one of the few that can be listened to from beggining to end ...and every track is strong and soulful. This artist not only tours in Jazz festivals---she is classically trained... but I also saw her a few months ago DJing at a House Club....
Her performances are out of this world....she is beautiful, well dressed and will pick up a trumpet...move to the piano and then be "bustin a move" in the most eliquent way.

This CD has been a treasure in my collection for 2 years...its worth every penny.....if you ever hear that she is coming to your neighbourhood to perform...especially if you like house, acid jazz, or RnB...and a strong live band, (only band I've seen play jungle beats live)---Go and see her....she is goin to blow up!!!!!!!