Customer Reviews

It's Real

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

 

 

Okay, check it out; Buddy boy had RANGE more than anything. This man's voice was/is incredible and this album was the ish back in the day! I usedta have it on cassette, but I came across the CD in the store the other day and decided my collection was really incomplete without it (course I say that 'bout everything I come across; will any music fan's collection ever be complete?). I agree with the reviewers who commented that he was definitely entrenched in that New Jack Swing sound at this time, but let's lose the trendy sub-labels for a quick second while you're with me, Mr. Non-conformist an' all, an' say that this is jus' some good R&B music; its priceless, they don't make 'em like this anymore. Nothin' overtly-offensive, jus' good lovin' music. The Levert-penned 'I Wanna Come Back' is classic, but the one that brings back the memories for me is 'So Fine' ("Girl ya so fiiiiyyyene, hardta believe it, so fiiiyyyene, I'm feelin' it constantly on my miiyyyynd"). Boy, that hook alone reminds me of them days. He flexes it fa'real on 'Baby Be Mine' though; I'm talkin' incredible vocals. Had I been older at the time, this woulda been the soundtrack for some serious mackin'. The "real soft" side is definitely the superior side for me, and for one reason: 'I Don't Have the Heart'. This one'a them joints that I have to listen to alone to avoid embarrassment and blows to my manhood cause'a how it moves me. It may seem syrupy to some (an' were one'a these young cats nowadays singin' it might be), but the power is in James' vocals; he pours it on, an' that obligatory '80s-soundin' guitar section at the end only enhances it to me. Album closes perfectly too; a moving rendition of 'Someday We'll All Be Free', (even thrown' in that line at the end 'bout South Africa makin' it even more timely) an' 'When was the Last Time Music Made You Cry'; this joint is straight BUTTA an' almost hypnotic, my only complaint is that it ends too soon. I would've liked to have heard him really bring that one crashing down. But, hey, what do I know? This is one'a them great forgotten albums that get lost in the shuffle because'a the sheer size of a category of music like R&B. Do some revisiting. I encourage you.

I think that James Ingram made a superb album in It's Real. It took 17 months after it's release until James had his only No. 1 pop hit, "I Don't Have The Heart." I still hear that song a lot today. The rest of the album is very good. James can sure be getting onto that new jack swing sound on It's Real and I Wanna Come Back. I love his version of Aretha Franklin's song with a male take of Natural Woman called "Natural Man." He was good on the songs he did with Gerald Levert and some other producers. This ranks right up there with his best albums!

This is one of the best albums that James Ingram has ever done, in my book. Moreover, one of the best songs on the entire album has to be, "Baby Be Mine." I had the instrumental version of this song and it is even better without the lyrics. I plan to play it for my wedding instead of the traditional wedding march, if I can find it on CD. If anyone knows where I can get it online, please let me know (the instrumental version only). It was on side B of the cassette single for "I Don't Have the Heart." I realize that was in the dinosaur age, but that's how old the song is. I highly recommend this album for pure listening pleasure.

James Ingram has a flare about his sound. It sounds very strong and soulful and that is something that todays music really lack....and that is soulful feelings. It's Real is a very good CD, but not his best and yes it has stand out songs on it like "I Don't Have The Heart" , "Someday We Will All Be Free" and "When Was The Last Time Music Made You Cry". But the one song that really stands out to allow me to give this CD 4 stars is just plain and simply..."Baby Be Mine". It's the 6th track on this cd and it has a meaning for me personally and for all that its worth it has got to be one of the most passionate and meaningful songs ever written and performed, by none other than one of todays most soulful singers....Mr. James Ingram. I guarantee...if you listen to this song you will see what I am talking about. Very Deep and Touches The Soul of every Heart.

This album contains the mega hit "I don't have the heart"(also sung by Stacy Lattisaw). Already this song makes it all worth. The other songs are smooth good soul songs sung with James Ingram's very silky voice. A steady soul album.

"One Day At A Time", "I Don't Have The Heart", "When Was The Last Time Music Made You Cry?" and the ultra-smooth "Baby Be Mine" are great songs that do as wonderful a vocalist as James Ingram justice. The hip-hop/house-flavored tracks at the CD's beginning were (on the other hand) as tasteless and lacklustre as can be. While this CD has its moments of glory it's definitely inferior to James' 1983-issued debut "It's Your Night".

This CD is such a terrific CD, which makes me frustrated that yet again, just because this CD isn't a "PoP" Cd, it hasn't gotten it's just desserts! It seems that only the artist that "cross-over" ever get the recognition and admiration from the "pubic", therefor leaving terrific R&B/Soul/Gospel left in "fame limbo". When you strip away the band/music of a lot of these new singers, it just show that their vocal abilities are "lacking" compared to a lot of artist in the above mentioned genre's. Come on people....lets support these guys as they are truly worthy of much love and adoration!!!

Rick

The CD has two parts. The first part, called "It's Real Hard", contains five danceful tracks and the sixth track "Baby be mine", one of the best song of this album. "Baby be mine" brings to the second part of the CD, called "It's Real Soft", five wonderful ballads with James truly at his best.

James Ingram is One of my All-Time Favorite Artists Ever. One of the Baddest Soul brother's to bring it on the Mic. I dug this Tape out&have been grooving to it alot Recently. the title track is a banging New Jack Swing/Swang Joint. the Way Brother Ingram can stretch his vocal notes&Runs ain't no joke. as a Huge Fan of R.Kelly&Brian Mcknight you can hear his Influence on them. the Soulful versatile Runs are something else. dig the Smooth slow jams. now His Debut Album still is his best,but this Album is Cool. no matter what style he is doing James Ingram can Sing/Sang. Badd Soul brother who ain't ever got his full Due,but He brings the SHO NUFF Vocally.