Customer Reviews

Concrete Love

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

 

 

Some really interesting music which, I enjoyed. However, there were a couple of surprises.

This is around my 10th Hybrid SACD, and this is the first one that I've come across that was not multichannel. So, beware, if you are looking for a multichannel SACD -- this is only two channel SACD. Now, I understand that if I want multichannel SACD, I have to look for the word "multichannel". The two channel SACD music sounds very similar to normal two channel CD, at least to me.

There are 11 CD tracks on this hybrid SACD and they are the same 11 tracks shown in the "Listen to Samples". The interesting thing about track 11 is that it consists of the song, "Alleluia", followed by a long pause, followed by a cover (by Julia Fordham) of "Loving You" (the Minnie Ripperton hit).

There are 13 SACD tracks on this hybrid SACD. The first 11 tracks are the same as the CD tracks, except that Alleluia is the only song on track 11. Track 12 is "Funny Guy" and track 13 is "Silver".

The disk documentation does not mention "Loving You", "Funny Guy", or "Silver".

This album should have been released months ago. Unfortunately, Julia's record company closed prior to it's original release date last year. Luckily, Vanguard Records have been quick to step in and the album will be released in the US in June. This album has already received glowing reviews from critics and I'm sure this will be Julia's most successful album to date. Infact, the word 'grammie' has been mentioned. Julia made her debut in the late eighties and has continued to produce quality albums throughout her career. Her voice is a musical instrument and her lyrics tell tales of lost love. The title track from her new album is a colaboration with soul queen India Arie. Other highlights are 'Roadside Angel' (a tribute to Minnie Ripperton) and 'Missing Man'. Julia's career is set to rise and rise. Rumour has it that Julia will be composing the music to David Lynch's next movie. She recently completed a successful short tour and will be making more appearances over the coming months.

I had the good fortune to pick up an early promo of this disc off of eBay. Unfortunately, the company that was planning to release it, Division One, has folded, so I don't know if it will ever actually come out. I truly hope I'm wrong because it is an OUTSTANDING album. Julia's vocals are strong and clear, the production is immaculate, and all the songs are catchy and well written. Following the last track, "Roadside Angel," which is a tribute to Minnie Riperton, there is a bonus cut, a cover of Minnie's "Lovin' You," and Julia does a great job with it. Other stand-out cuts are "Love," "Wake Up with You," and "Missing Man," but honestly there's not a weak song on this album.