Customer Reviews

Heaven

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a music lover I listen to a little of everything but my cd collection is mostly r&b and hip-hop so finding a jazz album in my crate isn't likely..... that is until yesterday when I purchased Heaven. I was first introduced to Sheila E. when she starred in Krush Groove and I was mesmerized by her percussion talent, so much so; that the following christmas my mother got me a drumset. After a while I lost interest until a few days ago Sheila E. was on my mind and I logged on to her website and saw some info on the heaven cd so i rushed out to buy it and in 24hours I am in love with her talents all over again. It has a jazzy relaxation feel that's great when I need to be mellow. The melodies will pull you in and transport you to Heaven hince the title. The 7th track Bahia is my favorite and in my opinion there aren't any bad songson the cd. I f you buy a ticket on the E-train to heaven you will not be disappointed and I highly reccommend that you do it and do it now.

i am so not interested in "xtian" music (um, BLEAH)...but the interplay of E's proven chops and a new smooth jazz feel are magical. Two run throughs and I was hooked. It now has a permanent spot in the changer.

Being a longtime admirer of Ms. E my opinion could be seen as biased. However, my praise of this album goes beyond my once pubescent fascination with Sheila E.

This is real music...smooth...jazz...inspiration...funk. This cd has it all.

If you enjoyed Prince's Musicology and One Nite Alone Live, you really should get it. Rhonda, Renato and many others are here.

I can't believe I haven't heard it before. Then again, it's not a surprise. Sheila is upfront about her Christianity, so secular radio isn't lined up to play her. Pop radio has no room for real music.

Such a shame. But you heard it from me. Buy it and hear for yourself.

Can't wait to drive with the wind blowing thru what's left of my hair with this playing.

I bought this CD having heard the first track only. I am a jazz fan and a lover of live music. Anyone else who loves to hear those jazz chords that make you tingle and then rewind them over and over again to try and work them out yourself - buy this CD and listen to track 10 NOW, its a tune. Its not just a drummer/percussionist's album although I'm sure all you drummers out there will be feeling this.

I've had this CD for about 3 days and it has been playing at home, at work and on my personal CD player - a very welcome addition to my collection. Looking forward to experiencing more of Sheila's music...

After listening to all the over A&R'd recordings. It's really great to hear something so honest and moving.
Wake-up and buy this record. This what real artistry is about!
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This is clearly Sheila's best CD yet. It's totally smooth jazz which may disappoint some fans looking for some serious latin funk, but very well put together. The best bets are the beautifully smooth "Heaven" featuring Gerald Albright, "Closer" and "Bahia" which takes you due south straight to the tropics. There's a little bit of funk involved with "Joy" and "Slight Accent". And for some reason "I Can Go On" has such a catchy hook that you'll find yourself singing it whether you like it or not. Lastly, another you'll find yourself singing is her take on Richard Marx's "Waiting For You" featuring vocalist Lynn Mabry. It so very pretty. This CD is a must have for any of her fans and anyone who loves smooth jazz. Although, I must admit, I'm still waiting for an all uptempo funky latin jazz throwdown from Sheila, the E Train, the rest of Escoveto clan, and anyone else that has jammed with her over the years. Looking forward to her next project with band 5th Element. And Sheila, if you're reading this... You knocked it out of the park! Good job.

Sheila E, "Glamorous Life"(1984)..."Romance 1600"(1995)..."The Writes of Passage"(2000)...and now this release, her second with Concord Records is simply "Heavenly", and that's putting it mildly.

Working with Prince and Azteca has been a learning experience, for this young artist has come of age...stylish and original with her God-given talent, shows another side of Sheila Escovedo...brilliant exuberant arrangements, with right on the mark performance, make this outing a must have for all her fans.

Total Time: 53:57 on 12 Tracks ~ Concord Vista CCD-4983-2 ~ (2001)

This is a beautiful and well put together album. It lacks the fun sense of the ridiculous and "pop" of Sheila E's 80's albums but that's OK--the 80's are long over and not only is it nice to hear something mature, those albums exist, there's no need to keep re-hashing old ground. The music is lush, smooth and confident. It's instrumental jazz-based music for the most part and jazz can tend to be faceless on a recording, becoming bland without the live element. This isn't the case here as just when things start sounding too similar there's a mellow pop song or vocal to break things up. The ballads are really dreamy, the funkier cuts fun. I'm not personally religious but the underlying Christian influence isn't obtrusive. If nothing else, this is a better tool to use to convert people; if this is what heaven sounds like I'd do what it takes to go there!

Only one quibble that keeps me from rating it 5 stars, and it's a big one unfortunately, for me: why oh why use a vocal vibrato effect? The singing on the ballads doesn't seem to warrant it--I'd prefer a thin, imperfect vocal to one that sounds like it's being run through a filter used to simulate aliens from mars in cartoons, "Take mee too yoour leeeederrr." Nancy Sinatra used this effect on her last couple of albums to, ostensibly, cover defects in her performance. I can't believe that was necessary on this cd, and maybe it was just a stylistic choice? Whatever, it totally pulls me out of the mood and it's only a testament to the beauty of the music I can get over it.

Like other reviewers suggested, this really grows on you. Give it a spin.

I have been a fan of Sheila E ever since she bursted on the scene after being and addition to the Minneapolis Sound in the 80's. Her first three albums seemed to be extensions of the talent that poured from Prince. I was impressed how she grew into her own sound and persona. The "Sex Cymbal" album truly impressed me, but this Jazzy smooth overtone of percussion based music takes the cake. I have only listened to the album one time so far, and I already have two favorites. I love track 5, "Slight Ascend".

I have to say that I hope she continues to create more music, because she has awesome talent, and true inner beauty.

Length:: 0:23 Mins