Customer Reviews

Chapter 2: The Voice

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Syleena Johnson dropped Chapter 1 last year, which had a plethora of heartbreaking, "my-man-ain't-nothing" songs. So when I listened to "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go" (remix), where she's dancing in the video and she wants her man to love her down, I had to check and see if that was really Syleena. Then I picked up Chapter 2: The Voice and heard "I Believe in Love" and concluded that she must be on some different stuff.

If Chapter 1 was a dark period for her, then Chapter 2 is when the sun comes out. Songs like "So Faithful" and "Guitars of the Heart (Happy)" show that Syleena still has the gritty, funky, and soulful alto to rock these love tunes. But one of the highlights is the remake of Alicia Myers' "If You Play Your Cards Right". Like any respected diva, Syleena makes the song her own, and this remake even tops Brownstone's 1997 version.

But it's not all fair in love. The "triflin' man" resurfaces again on "I'm Gon' Cry" and the R. Kelly-produced "Guess What", which are actually the best songs on the album. In fact, those songs are welcomed because sometimes Syleena spreads the love jam too thick and towards the album the songs become a little sappy. And the remix to "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go" with Flipmode Squad should have only been included on the album if it was better than the original, which is NOT the case here. And finally, I have no idea how she was able to get away with recording "No Words" (you have to listen to the song to see what I mean).

But all nitpicking aside, this album is in a class by itself, but be forwarned: Syleena, being an R&B chick who can actually SANG (not "sing"), may never get the respect she truly deserves because she may be too much for simple-minded people. Which reminds me, does anyone know what Simone Hines is up to these days?

I must say I am impressed with the production and vocal performance of Syleena Johnson on Chapter 2: The Voice. This is a cd you put on and let it play, no skipping tracks here; it's one smooth ride. Syleena's voice is showcased with great music and she rips the background vocals (making the sound full and unmistakeably Syleena).

The opening track "The Voice Intro" is too funky, with a Marvin Gaye percussion and vocal lick vibe. When I first heard "Guess What" I knew R. Kelly had something to do with it (this song is burning up the radio airwaves and is the ladies national anthem right now). "So Willingly" is a mellow jam and similar to a Faith Evans vocal. The icing on the cake is the Alicia Meyers cut "If You Play Your Cards Right", which has always been my jam and Syleena does an outstanding job (the new school beat at the end sends this one over the top).

Treat yourself to this cd, it's a good one!

Syleena Johnson is best described as a highly underrated diva with the voice of an angel. Not many female artists today can have their voice compared to the legends of RnB, however Syleena is the exception. Her voice is incredibly infectious, at times as smooth as Blu Cantrell and at times as raspy as Macy Gray. Unlike the new generation of RnB diva's she actually has a set of stunning songs to follow up the voice. Today artists like Amerie, Jessica Simpson & Lil Mo carry the strongest voice, yet their songs are miserably awful.

The Motown era is clearly evident in her music which will allow her to appeal to older fans, but its still slick enough to be excepted in today's market, however it may not be appreciated for its true value. The album's lead single "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go" (Featuring The Flipmode Squad) is fantastic, sultry without being slutty, and upbeat enough to rock the party. The album is very ballad heavy, which I have an undeniable soft spot for. Tracks like "Guitars of the Heart (Happy)" & "I Believe in Love" are intelligent and powerful love songs, whos lyrics are more meaningful then the typical 'I want you in bed at any expense' formula weaved into today's RnB.

The album is also very experimental. Johnson tests her boundries without going off so far to push fans away. Tracks like "No Words" reflect this, and unfortunatley this is one of the times she can't pull it off. The mid-tempo ballad "If You Play Your Cards Right" & the up-tempo style dance number "The Voice" are times when it works in her favor. Her creative decisions in recording show that while she can get recognized strictly on her talent alone, that she is going to go above and beyond her call of duty.

All in all this is a very impressive turn out by the upcoming diva. Make sure you keep an eye out for her, because with music this soulful and smart, there is always going to be something there worth checking out. For those who are waiting between Jill Scott or Faith Evans releases, this is something that will satisfy your liking until they can complete their material.

This is my first Syleena Johnson experience, and it has been a great one. I'm running out to get her first CD as soon as I get some money. It's rare that you hear good soul music in a market that is dominated by pop, hip-hop pop, and r&b pop. With a voice like hers, we should be hearing Syleena on the radio and seeing her videos all the time, but we don't, which is a shame.

The best tracks on this cd are:
Faithful to You
Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go
If You Play Your Cards Right
No Words

Guitars of the Heart
I Believe in Love
Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go remix.

This CD should definitely be in your collection. Please don't sleep on Syleena. The only way artists of her calibur will blow up is if she has our support.

This young lady is definately a "sanger". Her voice is very strong and mature. I could not believe that she was only 23 years old singing like she's been around since Betty Wright and Chaka Khan's time.
She puts her soul into her singing and that is definately what many of our artist today are missing. She's not commercial, she's not over-exposed, just underrated. If you are a true R & B soul lover, Syleena should definatley be added to your collection!

This artist does not get the radio play she should I have been playing this CD like crazy. I'm a music fan who gets upset when TRUE artist are not given some serious air play. Syleena Johnson makes Ashanti sound like Minnie Mouse...

This is a phenomenal album. When she sings, you really feel like she wrote a song just with you in mind. Like she peeked in your journal. I juse the remix to Tonight I'm gonna let go while at the gym on the treadmill. One of my other favorite songs is Number 7 Is that You!!! AWESOME!!!

If you are trying to figure out if you want to purchase this album, don't hesitiate, BUY IT!!! You won't be sorry.

First I would like to thank God for blessing Syleena Johnson with her tremendous gift. Her voice is about as beautiful and soulful as it can get in this day and age.
Her voice can only be compared to soulful legends...like Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin.
Chapter 2: The Voice is an empowering album. It's an album about LOVE...learning to love yourself and accept true love through the power of God.
But it's done in such a soulful way that you can relate many of her songs to a relationship with a loved one or a relationship with God. Her lyrics speak straight to your soul with undeniable passion and conviction.
She's not a gospel artist, but she does share her testimony. One that so many of us can relate to. Chapter 2 is definately an album worth having in your collection as well as Chapter 1.
Listen to The Voice, Dear You, Now That I've Go You, So Willingly, If You Play Your Cards Right, Guitars of the Heart, Faithful To You, and I Believe In Love....and you'll see what I mean. Her current single Guess What is heating up the airwaves. Buy Chapter 2: The Voice. I promise you'll fall in love with it.

Syleena Johnson is truely a person of vocal talent. Through her songs you can feel the power of her voice and her songs tell stories the goods and bads of real love, none of that little teen puppy love that so many of today's artists sing about. Her CD is one of the few CDs that i can listen to traight through. Most other CDs have at most about 5 tracks that are good but this CD has deep songs of love experiences, not just sex. And I just saw her in concert and the girl can blow, she is truely a songstress with the voice to back it up and her album proves it.

Syleena Johnson has a very beautiful voice and I loved the 1st album more than this one. But I still enjoy listening to this one. My favorite song is "Faithful to you". That song brings so much inspiration to my heart. I also enjoy tracks 5, 6, 10, and 11. I think this cd is worth the purchase.

One listen to syleena and you will see that your not dealing with your typical R+B singer here. Although 25 years young...she has a voice that is rich, soulful and strong......and also sounds like she was around for years. At first I wasent sure if I should get it hearing the first single with the busta rhymes sample. The single is only radio friendly but in no way representative of the whole album. This is tru soul to the bone...whats good here?:

Intro(tight old school intro...listen to the lyrics...tells a mini story of how she really was before this album), Faithful to you (one of the best cuts here thats uptempo), Now thats I got you, Dear You (Tight midtempo jam..the beat alone is tight), Guess What( A remake with a few changes....tight song....lyrics), Tongiht im gonna let go, No Words(One of the best jams here....and most soulful), So willingly and Guitars of the heart.

Overall Syleena came real strong for this album and surpassed her first one which was also good. In 2002, the music scene was over crowded and full of filler and good albums....this album regretfully was overlooked but hopefully its not too late. If you get any R+B soul album this year...make sure this one dosent miss your grasp. Just so you can hear "The Voice".

Get it!