Customer Reviews

Crucial

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

 

 

I'VE HAD THIS ALBUM FOR OVER 7 YEARS....AND I AM STILL ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR MORE FROM THIS ARTIST...ONCE I LUCKED UP ON ALI FROM THE ST. LUNATICS...HEAVY STARCH...I BOUGHT IT...BUT, I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME MORE MUSIC FROM THIS ARTIST...THE CUTS "TOMORROW", "RUNNING IN AND OUT OF MY LIFE", "SURE", & "CRUCIAL" THE TITLE CUT...MAKES THIS STAND OUT LET ALONE THE REMAINING TRACKS. WHOMEVER, WROTE THE INITIAL REVIEW FOR MAGS, FOR THIS ALBUM I FEELS KNOWS NOTHING OF SOUL AND R&B...GET IT IF YOU CAN FIND IT...AND I'LL CONTINUE MY SEARCH FOR MORE OF HIS VOCAL STYLINGS....

Why did I give this 5 stars? I rarely give any album 5 stars. It would have to a perfect, cutting edge, influential album that stands the test of time.
This album is NOT one of those. But it's a 5 in the sense that it has this positive, homegrown, lowkey but warm charisma and vibe that's hard to describe. Much of that goes to Ali's voice, which is like a mix of Al Green's and Ronald Isley's.
The R&B from this English singer may not be funky and bass-deep like American R&B, but it makes you feel good. And it's a solid, consistent album from beginning to end with little, if any, filler. His strengths lie in his honey-warm vocals and his ability to sing funkier numbers as well as his ballads. Soulful from beginning to end.
It's sadly underrated, and a gem if you can find it. Don't listen to the EW review above, he's off base.
Some of the highlights: Love Letters, Tomorrow,In and Out of my life, Whatever you want,Sure, It only takes a Minute, Crazy Don't.

The Entertainment review reads like a throw it together comment. Yes he sounds like Al Green and yes he hasn't got Al's maturity but he has a presence and quality in his voice that is unique. The songs on this albumn are classy and are brilliant for cruising. I often buy the less romantic R and B albumns but this one made me sit up and take notice. A definate ***** SD

Each song has its own unique feel to it and gives off great vibes. When I listened to only two of the tracks, I immediately bought it. I've been grooving with it from start to finish ever since.