Customer Reviews

Lost & Found

5 star:		(86)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was really looking forward to this one by one of my 'Unsung Heroes' of modern soul. Ledisi's last album Soul Singer, was nothing short of a masterpiece if you ask me, and is now difficult (not to mention expensive) to lay hands on by all accounts. My best friend prepared me for this new one though by playing me "Alright", from her MySpace page a month or so ago. I was sold on the album on the strength of that song alone.

The album kicks off with the banging 1min 44sec intro, "Been Here" and it's so good, I so wish they had made it into a full song. The next few tunes are nothing special. They're not bad, just nothing special. "You And Me" sounds like something Angie Stone might have recorded (and that's NOT meant a compliment). As for "Best Friend", I've lost count of the number of times I've heard the I'm-in-love-with-my-best-friend thing done before. I yawned literally, the first time I heard it and it hasn't grown on me yet.

Things finally get cooking with "Alright" though; already a firm favourite of mine on this album and an instant classic in my view. "Think Of You", "Today" (bouncing with positivity, that one), "Get To Know You" (a great late summer nodder), "Upside Down", "In The Morning", "I Tried", and the simple yet beautiful title ballad "Lost & Found" (with an inspired violin solo by Karen Briggs), are all standout tracks. The only problem I have with "We Are One", the duet with Rahsaan Patterson, (look out for his upcoming album Wines & Spirits), was that at 1min 48secs, it was way too short. "The One" falls back into Okay But Nothing Special territory but "Someday" pulls the proceedings right back up to stellar quality. The album closes with the outro version of "Been Here" and once again, this desperately needs to be made into a full-length song somewhere along the line. Maybe if/when Ledisi performs it live?

On balance this is a great set and it should propel Ledisi clear from the underground or 'best kept secret' status right into the mainstream. Verve is a label with a solid reputation so it's fingers crossed. Here's a real singer, doing real music. Great production by the lady herself, alongside Rex Rideout, Luther Hanes, Lorenzo Johnson, Jamey Jaz and Sundra Manning. I really hope this turns out to be the breakout album for Ledisi that it deserves to be.

Since "Soulsinger", her first studio project, the Bay Area's own Ledisi has shown up in a variety of different places giving wondrous performances and is already amassing an impressive body of work. Her work on the Luther tribute album, with Miguel Migs in various house mixes, a guest spot with the Braxton Brothers, and a blistering cover of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Devotion" more than made me ready for her next project.

While I agree with the first reviewer that this is by no means her best work to date, I do submit it is a continuation of noteworthy work from an incomparable vocalist and lyricist equally at home with R&B, dance, and smoky jazz (see her second project - simply phenomenal)

Ledisi has already evolved into one of the those artists where it is simply futile to put a finger on "the best this or the best that." She is definitely one where you simply learn to revel in the next level of her aritistry.

This is indeed a lighter set than her introductory one where she tackled such poignant subjects as friendship, domestic abuse, seuxual abuse, and even, yes, snoring (a stitch..)

But there is no mistaking her unbelievable vocal abilities - she simply breathes life into her music and has crafted an individual styling like no other.

While I give this particular project a 4, simply because she does have better work currently out there, as an emerging and important voice, I give Miss Ledisi a resounding TWELVE!!!!

Have already ordered my copy and am anxiously awaiting its arrival.
I hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiihgly recommend!!!!!!!


**September 1 - CD arrived!!!! Hearing for the first time on a REAL sound system - I changed my mind!!! BEST WORK TO DATE!!! I AM NOT WELL! - MIss Thang is OFF THE HOOK. Shades of Sarah, Ella, Dinah, and a WHOLE LOTTA LEDISI! - simpy wondrous - excellent artistry!!!!!....oh yeah, (system wouldn't let me change it) FIVE STARS....IN A BIG WAY!!!

Ledisi Anibade Young (known professionally by the moniker Ledisi) is up for 2 Grammys this Sunday; best newcomer, and best R&B album. "Lost and found" is her major label debut (she'd released 2 CDs independently previously) and while fans of those (jazzier) CDs have stated that this isn't quite up to those, it's still a very good CD, far superior to most R&B out today. The mood is mellow and jazzy (some scatting, and jazz piano) with lovely harmonies.

The CD opens with crowd sounds and a soulful intro "Been here", replete with James Brown style yelps. "Joy" is a groovy mid tempo song, "You and me" with its scratchy bass line wouldn't sound out of place on a D'Angelo CD, and scat sprinkled "Best friend" is also nice. More songs along these lines are "Alright", "Get to know you" (with a gently pulsing bass line), the quiet storm feel of "In the morning", the melodramatic piano title track (lovely violin flourishes, and an impassioned vocal delivery), the all too brief "we are one" (with Rahsaan Patterson), and "Someday".

Upping the tempo a wee bit are the piano laced "Think of you" (with scratches, awesome song!), "Today" (with funky horns), "Upside down" (great percussion, some scatting, groovy bass line; another favourite of mine), the more sparse "I tried", and the acoustic "The one" (breezy harmonies). Closing the CD is an outro "Been here", which is a continuation of the intro, with her thanking us for coming (to the show, I guess). The pleasure is all ours Ledisi.

This CD reminds me of "I am" by Chrisette Michele; groovy jazzy soul with a live sound, performed by a superb vocalist.

i wasn't crazy about this one when i bought it, so like some others it sat on the shelf. got up to clean one day and popped in and couldn't believe that i slept on this cd. great flow, great sound and great voice. buy it!

IF YOU LIKE REAL MUSIC, KINDA JAZZY, KINDA SOULFUL THEN THIS ONE'S FOR YOU! IT HAS LOTS OF TRACKS ON IT SO YOU CAN GROOVE FOR A WHILE. CHECK IT OUT. YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED.

Back in 2002, my brother said that soul songstress Ledisi was one of the most underrated singers in the game. Since I never got around to listening to her work, I couldn't really form an opinion, but now that I've gotten my hands on her latest album Lost & Found, I have to say that he's right.

Honestly, it's hard to pick a favorite song from this album, but right now I think I'll have to go with "Today". There are plenty of other highlights, like "Upside Down" and "You & Me". "Get to Know You" is a cool jam that you could easily chill to at your local Starbucks, and "Alright" is an understatement.

Guest stars are few, but when they arrive, they also excel. I'm not sure who Karen Briggs is, but she helps Ledisi deliver an already wonderful title track. And even though the Rahsaan Patterson duet "We Are One" isn't even two minutes long, it also shines. "In the Morning" is also a good song, although I'm not sure how many people can relate to it.

Speaking of that song, the reason why I only give the album four stars is because Ledisi tends to oversing sometimes, especially on "Best Friend" (kinda reminds me of another song called "Best Friend" by Bilal (and Tweet), who has that same problem). Oh, well; Lost & Found is still a beautiful album, so pick it up.

Anthony Rupert

Fire, Fire, Fire! Ledisi brings it and more in this 14 track (plus the intro and outro) trip that explores love, happiness, and heartache. The first time I heard "In The Morning" coming from my speakers I was floored, but then I heard "Alright" one morning on my drive in to work and I knew I had to cop this CD. Standout tracks include "Joy," "Alright," "Upside Down," "In The Morning," and "I Tried." The title track, "Lost and Found," is just exquisite. It took me a while to actually even get through one listen of the CD because I kept replaying most of the songs. I will say that Ledisi does, in some ways, remind me of Jill Scott, particularly her phrasing, but a comparision to Jill can't be all bad. Got a lil' Chaka in her, too. She's got a new fan in me.

Ledisi will always get my moolah! Her voice is soooooooooooo rich. We have yet to hear the best from her. I hope she tours and gets promotional backing from her current label. It is time that the masses discover Ledisi. She is a vocalist that can be put in various genres. Jazz/R&B/NeoSoul/Rock. I gave this CD 4 stars because I still like "Soul Singer" more.

ok, i am a true Fan of Ledisi, but this CD is kind of 'water down' from her other CD's. It's a Good CD for getting more fans, but not like her other music. Still A good CD, Alright is the best song on the cd, some others are good as well. I was still moved by her songs, but nothing like her first CD's. This is a good intro to who she is, but if you looking for the deep songs that tell a story this is not the one. Once again it's still a good cd, but not a must have. Like this CD, music is great, but I miss all the good stories she tells so well. This is her R & B Cd, great effort, but not her best. Pick up her other cd's to see how well she sings, and tells stories of love , and life! This CD is still better than most CD's that have came out this year. Pick it up!

This CD is a long time coming. Ledisi has been a huge underground hit for years, known for her unparalleled live shows - fans need to see her live, especially in a club setting, to truly understand how great they are. "Soulsinger" was a very nice CD that gave us a taste of what she can do, but this one is a gem.

The first single, "Alright", would be beautiful as an instrumental. The song is about persevering through hard times, and the lyrics tell the story beautifully to go with the pace of the song. "Joy" likewise has wonderful lyrics and might be the best song on here, although there's also good competition for that "Get to Know You", "In the Morning", the title cut and "Someday".

But that's not all. "You And Me", "Today", the very up-tempo "I Tried" and "The One" are all very good songs.

And while we all love to enjoy the music itself, these songs make you think as you listen closely to the lyrics, because they all have an idea behind them.

At long last, the whole world gets a chance to find out how great she is. She won't be underground much longer.