Customer Reviews

Infinite Possibilities

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(45)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Remember Groove Theory's "Tell Me"? That thumping bass line supporting Amel's beautiful voice? Well, Groove Theory this is not. It's actually better. This album, which is in the family of "neo-soul" like D'Angelo, Maxwell, Sade and Erykah Badu, showcases Amel as a songwriter and singer. While the album is playable from start to finish, there are some songs that stand out. "Ini" is a song about finding beauty within yourself, and the percussion and exotic instruments on this one take you away to clear blue skies on a warm tropical island. Then there's "Get Up", her jazzy first single. She sings, "I know you're down, but when you gon' get up?"...like your best friend trying to get you out of the dumps - and she does it well. The best song is the title track, "Infinite Possibilities", because when she says these words, it's like a soft feather tickling your back during a warm, sweaty massage. Every song is written by Amel, and her husband helps on this one too. The music is pure, and the lyrics wholesome. It's a refreshing change from typical music these days. This ain't sex you down music, it's spiritual, and will de-stress even the worst situations. This album is a requirement. Don't miss out on this one!

The review I wrote on her single: GET UP {"this song has made me fall in love with her all over again. Type of song to lay back with your "honey" and just loose it all. Nice beat, excellent vocals. If you like N'Dambi, Badu, Fertile Ground, Grenique, Omar....etc, you'll love this one."} does not hold up to what I really think of this CD now. After listening to it everyday for a week in my car going to work , I seemed to have a greater respect for this Goddess who just wants to sing to the world. A track like "Sweet Misery" should be played at high volume and bass levels, eyes closed (not while driving of course) and head nodding to the sweet hypnotizing sound generating from your speakers. "Down" (love this song) is for those jazz heads who appreciate that old school skat jazz sound from back in the day but with a new school twist. Amel has developed into a artist that's appreciated all around the world and it is shown in the people she work with like Groove Theory, Sweetback, and others. She also so laid down a track on the Love Jones Soundtrack that was a favorite of mine as well. The CD is a A++. GET IT!

As a South African woman, when I first heard Amel's surname, I thought that she was a white Afrikaner women. But as soon as I heard her music, I knew that there was no way she could be that.
She has got so much soul. She sings straight from the heart and that make her work even more exclusive.
Amel captures your heart with her beautifully poetic lyrics and just adds the cherry on top with her amazing voice.
I know almost all the songs on the album and that is because all of them are good enough to hold the centre of attention.
Although this album has been out since '98 it still rocks. I even made a deal with my friend that she will sing Make Me whole the day I get married.
She is a lover, a sister, a fighter and a rebel at heart.
She can even be your best friend.
This album was really a great way to start for her.

If there is an artist that quench the soul, it's definitely Amel Larrieux. I've enjoy her as part of Groove Theory. I got a sample of her on the "Sweetback's"(Sade's band) CD. Now I am saturated with her wonderful voice on "Infinite Possibilities. I was fortunate to be entertained by this Princess on March 29th Live in Atlanta. It was an intimate setting. When she opened with "Sweet Misery," the audience was in awe. We could not believe how beautiful her voice was. Her outer beauty only enhanced what sweet sounds that were permeating around us. We were also caught up in the moment with her band. The four-piece band is very talented. They were "on point" just like the CD. Now I know why I love this CD. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you realize it is actually Amel speaking to you through her music. This is the music we need today. Music that will release the stress of today's society. Please get the CD and mellow out with me. Also one word of advice Amel shared with us at her performance, "You are never to old to learn how to play an instrument." Amel I hope you continue with your piano lessons. If you play like you sing, Whoa!

After a long, agonizing wait Infinite Possibilities is finally here and of course it went directly to my CD player, where I do not forsee it leaving for quite some time. Amel's voice carries you to higher plane, a peaceful loving state of being where everything is heavenly because the girl has the voice of an angel. If you are into mellow R&B, Acid Jazzy, groovy Drum and Base inspired type music with the most beautiful, sensitive and thought provoking lyrics then you must get this CD. You will not be dissapointed. AND she is MARVELOUS live! So if you get a chance to see her live, take it. It's not everyday you get to see a legend in the making.

In the modern day music scene of mediocre (supposedly "hot") songs, hit song-singing, platinum wearing mc's, hip-hopped out boy bands, and done-to-death Timbaland beats....we occasionally come across a genuine artist with a passion for CREATING real music. Amel Larrieux is one of those artists. Lyrics - filled with imagery. I myself feel a personal connection with 'I & I'. Her self-produced solo debut is layered with deep bass lines, multi-tracked vocal arrangements, rich chords, and features a voice that is an insrument in itself. 'Infinite Possibilities is inspiring. Truly the type of music that makes you feel alive. No, not the type of music that will fade as times passes by, but the sort that stirs one's soul. With each listen, the album improves. With her studies of vocal jazz pioneers Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Carmen McRae, Lena Horne (the list goes on), Amel holds her own in the art of scatting and amazing modulations, and impressive breathing tactics that make singing appear deceivingly easy. A force in her own right in terms of vocals and rhythm. Give her a melody, and she will walk up, down, left, right over the track accenting on a given note with perfect timing. I recently saw her perform in San Francisco at Bimbo's. Even more impressive. She really knows how to work a crowd to an extent that indicates that she is at peace with herself and enjoys what she is contributing to music. We can only be so lucky to be given an opportunity to share in her world of serenity. Do yourself a favor. Buy the album. And if you really want to treat yourself, see her in concert!

I had the great fortune to see Amel perfom these songs live the night before the CD was released for public consumption. The live performance was awesome! I was anxiously awaiting to hear the CD live up to the live performance. I was not disappointed. Her voice is what angels must sound like when they are performing for god. I am totally amazed at her ability to use her voice not only to sing but as a musical instrument. I feel each note, each lyric, each breath. The lyrics are so spiritual and positive in nature. Just the direction music should follow. Ms. Larrieux has surely shown me that there are "Infinite Possibilities" to her passion for music and I also feel that I can "Shine" because my destiny is truly changing the more I indulge in this sonic delight. I have been recommending this CD to everyone. I play it constantly. It definitely puts you in a very positive frame of mind. I have described this CD as sophisticated R&B mixed with Acid Jazz,Drum and Bass, with a bit of old skool soul and funk thrown in for that extra spice. The beats are slammin! Don't deny yourself this pleasure. Buy this CD.

Singer/songwriter Amel Larrieux is truly an underrecognized artist. Probably best remembered as 1/2 of Groove Theory, Larrieux has went on to carve out an impressive record as a solo artist. Her debut, "Infinite Possibilities" is no exception. Indeed, it is the RULE!

Released in 2000 following Larrieux's freelance solo submissions with Sweetback and electronica icon Towa Tei, "'Possibilities" boasts range of styles and moods that effectively showcase the jazz-trained vocalist's most potent gifts.

"Get up", the album's first single, opens the set, followed by the atmospheric "I N I". From there, Amel proceeds to add a dash lustful melancholy on "Sweet Misery" and a bit of societal awareness on "Searchin' for My Soul". While Larrieux certainly prooves her competency with upbeat material, it's on slow numbers like "Even If" that she really moves the spirit. A ballad in the vein of early Seventies Motown, "Even If" also reveals a definite sense of novelty in Larrieux.

Perhaps the most refreshing thing about "Infinite Possibilities" is in its fundamental differences with the material she performed with Groove Theory. Amel seems adamant about avoiding sequel in favor of originality, to her credit.

"Infinite Possibilities" is a definite must-have for any modern soul collection.

Former lead vocalist in groove theory, now making a solo debut, with infinite possibilities. I compare amel with sade, because their style's are alike, they both add that african sound to their music. "Also" she was in two of sweetback's song's,"Gaze", and "You will rise","Sweetback is the band of sade". As you can see, amel's voice encouraged alot of artist, and me as well. Everytime I come home from work, amel's album has to play throughout my house. Her voice is wonderful, my personal favorite's are "Get up", this song groove's with jazz influences."I.N.I",she sing's beautifuly in this song, and I love the bass line's. Last there's "Shine", a sade flavor is added to this one, I love the drum's, and sound's in this. If your looking for something original, and different, buy this cd. Pick up "Groove theory", and "Jill scott" too, you wont be disapointed with any of the album's I just named.

Make way for Ms. Larrieux! This is singer/songwriter is a godsend in the overcomerricalized, and supersaturated hoochie R&B of today. Formally one half of the now debunk, Groove Theroy, Amel steps in to the spotlight with 10 blazing tracks that inspire the soul, heart, and mind. With her infectious, "Get Up", challenging you to pick yourself up after a setback, the the rhythmic beauty of "Even If", she raises the level in simplistic beauty with the best song, "Make Me Whole", which she doesn't prove to you that she can sing with needless runs, and drawn out ad libs. I love this cd to the fullest. A 45 minute groove that will brighten your most cloudy day. She knows she can sing, and doesn't beat you over the head with it. (Ms. Houston, take a clue from this girl!) One good thing about the cd, its written and produced by Amel and her husband, making it all original. NO SAMPLING! (Puffy, this is a clue for you!) Go out and ger this cd now!