Customer Reviews

Chicago '85... The Movie

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

. . . to watch an artist grow and mature hand in hand with their work. Its no longer a common occurance for musical artist to produce quality music. Today's artists can guarantee themselves platinum status simply by making a soft porno video . . . bragging about their ice, cars, and girls. While the rookies Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scottt, Macy Gray, and Bilal resurrected the soulful sounds of years past, David Hollister stepped up to the plate to represent for the seasoned veterans. While K-Ci and JoJo stumbled in an attempt to re-invent themselves by singing about their many misguided relationships, Mr. Hollister holds court like Michael Jordan at your local YMCA. While playing the role of a play on Ghetto Hymns, David decides its time to be a man and build a serious on Chicago '85. The first single One Woman Man provides only a taste of David's attempt to prove that he's ready to commit and accept the responsibilites that most men shun. David adds to that message throughout the album on songs such as Destiny, Take Care of Home, and arguably the albums best two songs I'm not Complete and We've Come To Far. The titles alone shows grea great deal of maturity, who would have ever thought that we'd be listening to David Hollister say that he and his significant other has come to far to turn around after listening to sing "Girl I've gotta go, I can't stay . . . ". David Hollister and Chicago '85 proves that you can entertain and sing G-rated material without putting your listeners to sleep: Maybe K-Ci should have spent a little more time in the studio with Mr. Hollister, and a little less time with his Flask of Jack Daniels.

I first heard Dave Hollister solo on a song on the "Ride" soundtrack called "The Weekend" w/Erick Sermon & Redman. On his first CD, you could tell that Dave Hollister was the 1st R&B act on Def Squad because his r&b had that Erick Sermon, Redman & Keith Murray edge to it. His songs reflected that very much: "My Favorite Girl", "Came In The Door Pimpin" w/Too Short, "Round & Round" & "Baby Mamma Drama" were all examples of this. His CD was still pretty good. It just wasn't the "Before I Let You Go", Dave Hollister that I was used to. On his 2nd disc, "Chicago '85... The Movie" Dave Hollister has a more sentimental approach this time around. His whole CD reflects this change. The first single, "One Woman Man" is classic Dave Hollister. Any r&b fan will love this midtempo groove. Dave Hollister has a lot of tight slow jams on this disc as well. Steve "Stone" Huff shows up on 2 tracks: "You Couldn't Say" and "A Woman's Will". These songs are two more reasons why he is going to be a producer to be reckoned with for years to come. Other tight slow songs are "We've Come Too Far", "Destiny" and "I'm Not Complete". I think that r&b fans will like this change in Dave Hollister's style. It makes for a better all around CD this time.

I have been a Dave Hollister fan since his days with BlackStreet. I highly anticipated the release of "Ghetto Hymns" while he endured pushed back release dates, and record label drama. I was not disappointed by his debut nor with his latest. This release is a wonderful sophmoric effort. He is still building from "Ghetto Hymns". This brotha, as always, sings from the depths of his soul and unleashes feeling and emotion like no other R&B singer out there today. With all the trash and studio-engineered artistry on the radio and in record stores today, I appreciate Dave Hollister more than words can say. Dave Hollister joins Donny Hathaway on my list of singers that make a person feel "it" in their gut. That list is now at two. Keep doin' it Dave...I feel you.

Standout tracks: "Doin' Wrong", "On The Side", "Destiny", "I Don't Want To Be A Hustler," "One Woman Man".

Dave Hollisters' Chicago 85 is awesome. His gospel tinged voice delivers stories (songs) on a man working on being in mature relationship and being faithful. I like this album, I just wish the musical compostions could be a little more orignial. Daves' vocals go on precedented he can sing. There are no tricks here to make the voice sound like something it is not. The vocals are raw and the lyrics are mature. It appears Dave is on a mission to do the right thing in a one woman, one man relationship and he has done. This is a great compilation. Congratulations Dave and it is should be Dave "Soulster" Hollister. People you will not be sorry if you purchase Dave "Soulster" Hollister "Chicago 85" project. Trust me!

This is a great follow-up by Dave Hollister to Ghetto Hymns. We all know that Dave can wail with the best of them, but on this CD the quality of the songwriting is better. He is a man's R&B singer--no beggin, no thongin.

Hopefully he'll get the airplay that less talented artists seem to get. Since his material is a little more mature, there's no profanity, and he's not part of the Neo-Soul crew, it uncertain whether the masses will vibe offa this CD.

The standout tracks are Keep on Lovin, 1 Woman Man, Destiny, Doin Wrong, and On the Side.

I am extremely impressed with Dave Hollister, and for the record, I NEVER buy an album based on liking just one song. However, "One Woman Man" was so fresh and so tight...I was convinced there was bound to be more on his album - and I was right. From start to finish there isn't a single filler track on here (really!). Each track stands on its own. I will highlight my personal favorites though, and they are:

1) "Take Care Of Home" - produced by Tim and Bob (Jon B's "They Don't Know"), this jam is so plush. I think this could be a single - easily.

2) "One Woman Man" - Conversational R&B...so smooth, but I always want to crack up every time Dave sings a certain word (think horizontal)...it's pretty funny to hear him sing it so seriously (you know what part I'm talking about, right?)

3) "We've Come Too Far" - Mr. Dalvin from Jodeci does the drums. This should be a single...great song, great message.

4) "Yo Baby's Daddy" - Mr. Hollister is mad here - understandably. This sounds like something Next would sing.

5) "Don't Take My Girl Away" - very, very, pretty song. The harmonies are angelic, and the message is deep.

6) "Destiny" - heavenly...think violins, orchestra...it just floats. Trust me.

7) "Doin' Wrong" - this one is my FAVORITE. Tight sample, produced by Chucky Thompson (Faith, Mary J. Blige - Bad Boy producer) and it's about catching his woman cheating, when all she'd done (before he caught her) was give him grief about his cheating - sweet revenge, and this song is the jam. Hypnotic.

8) "On The Side" - okay, this is also a FAVORITE. It's actually kinda funny - peep it, for real.

9) "I Don't Want To Be A Hustler" - climactic. It has a 70's feel to it, a la the late great Curtis Mayfield (musically) and Marvin Gaye.

Dave Hollister is not new to the game. Dave sang backup for Mary J. Blige (usually filling in for his cousin K-Ci's vocal style) before joining Blackstreet in 1992, who released their first album back in 1994. He sang lead on "Before I Let You Go", Blackstreet's first major hit (I'm not forgetting about "Booti Call") and then he left the group before they unleashed their biggest hit in 1996, "No Diggity". But it seems that while Blackstreet is pretty much done (but I still got love for 'em), Mr. Hollister may just be getting started...good stuff (and I ain't forgot about 'Ghetto Hymns' either)

[smile] I'm happy with this one....

not only was a HUGE fan of dave hollister's first record ghetto hyms, i was a HUGE fan of him. I didn't think that a record could be better, so i was kinda sceptical of buying hollister's sophomore effort, afraid he had hit the sophomore jinx. i couldn't be more wrong. i think for the first time in history, someone's second album was better then the first, because that is the case here.

the first single "one woman man" is 100% rnb and its flava is amazing and will have anybody bopping there headz. though its good, its definetly not the album's best track, because thats "don't take my girl away". that song is amazing, and it takes me away everytime i listen to it.

the ballads are most of the album, but the dance traxz like "keep on lovin", "yo baby's daddy", "i don't wanna be a hustler" and the album's best dance track "you can't stay". the ballads are pure magic especially "take care of home" & "we've come to far". i really like "destiny" & "i'm not complete" too. all i gotta say is pick this album up because nobody can be disappointed with an artist this amazing.

Dave Hollister has made me wonder all over again if a man can really feel. I have doubted this for so long!! His woman is so fortunate to have a man dedicate such a deep soul searching apology and celebration to her.

That's just what the CD does for me. He has a fan in me for real. It's sort of how I hear my mom talk about Marvin Gaye and the likes of him. I've come to love the love message in Marvin's music. For me Dave Hollister, Maxwell, Eric Benet, Mint Condition, Luther, and Stevie Wonder are the few deep brothers that know how to express love through their art also. It's such a pleasure to listen to.

Thanks for letting me hear the oh so sweet words that are music to my ears and heart and that are missing from the lips and actions of most of today's man. It's a real soothing comfort!!

Dave counts his blessings and SHOWS his appreciation by his actions.

My favorites are Take Care of Home, I'm Not Complete, We've Come To Far, and A Woman Will. In that order, smile.

I have been a fan of Dave Hollister's since he was the lead singer for BlackStreet (which was actually the best line up that group ever had). When his fist solo disc came out, I have to admit I wasn't hooked. Needless to say, I was reluctant to buy his sophmore effort. But I'm glad I did!

There is not one song on here that would classify as a filler. I mean Dave sings songs about things that people go through on a daily basis, like babydaddy drama (Yo Baby's Daddy), or even having to deal with the feelings of disappointment when you've let the one you love down ("Destiny", and "We've Come Too Far").

Church training is evident is his voice, and the strength and intensity in it makes each song even more believable. He possesses one of the strongest voices in the game today, and did a wonderful job with this disc. The songs of encouragement ("Take Care of Home"), and even the songs about 'having a girl on the side', are entertaining and fun.

This disc is well worth your ear's attention.

What can I say about this CD? Just that it's THE BEST CD that I have bought in a looooong time! (And believe me - where I am from, you are forced to keep up on current music and constantly buy CD's since our radio stations here are gargabe and all they play is garbage.) I know good music when it hear it and THIS is GOOD music. Blackstreet's lose - the fans gain. David Hollister knows about romance and all the issues that come with it (pain, drama, truth, honesty, baby mamma's drama - you know all the rest). Well, at least he sings a good game about all of it. This album has great beats, unique rythms and yes, tried and true scenarios, but with his voice you actually feel for the brotha. He's speaking about and telling us about mature adult love and having a mature adult relationship. Especially on "Take Care" of home when he is telling other brothas to do right by the women they love. Or when he is admitting that he is tired of "running" around and he's happy to be a "One Woman Man." This is the type of album that you AND your boo could chill with. All the tracks on the CD can apply not only to the fellas, but also to the ladies as well. It makes you either as a sista to want a brotha like Dave or it makes you want to start acting right with your man. Or as a brotha it makes you want your girl to know how it REALLY is or it makes you want to start acting right by your girl. All 14 songs are great, you may get some of that tired R&B feel, but with Dave handling things he makes it mo' betta. Can I pick a favorite track - no. They are all extremely well produced. Not only is this CD worth a listen, worth every penny, and one you will need to have in romance corner, but it makes you actually feel good about falling in love, being love and makes you work at your current relationship (especially if you feel it's something worth fighting for).