Customer Reviews

Love & Life

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

"American Idol" junkies will remember Latoya London, the season 3 finalist, who, in a stunning upset, lost to winner Fantasia. The loss was particularly bruising for some viewers, given that London's sumptuous voice initially made her a sure bet for victory. Still, London was able to secure a recording deal, and her album, "Love and Life" is a worthy debut that should please "AI" fans and casual listeners. If you add some sweeping ballads with a touch of upbeat r&b tunes, you've got the formula for this CD. Her voice is almost strong enough to redeem even the more underwhelming tunes on the album such as "Learn to Breathe" and "Every Part of Me." But when she's given the right material, London can really take off. The sassy and upbeat "Appreciate" as well as smooth ballads "Meet Me Halfway," "Anything," and the jazzy "How I Love the Rain" are all winners that remind us how we all grew to love Latoya when she was a contestant on "American Idol." "Love and Life" is far from perfect, but it's a promising step in the right direction. I'd like to see and hear more of her. With the right focus, she could eventually deliver the knockout album we know she's capable of recording.

La Toya really proves what she is made of on this album. There is something on the album for EVERYONE. Personally, I love the entire album. Some of the arrangments could be a little bit better, but the vocals alone make the songs enjoyable and amazing. My personal favorite song is "More". I think that La Toya should have maybe gone in the direction of "NON A WHATCHA DO" a little more. That song is really catchy and gives another side to her vocals. The CD is not purely for women either, with sensual tracks such as "Anything" and a song promoting men -- "Appreciate", the CD allows men to feel appreciated.

Overall, this album deserves a full 5 stars; I wholeheartedly suggest you spend your money--you won't be dissapointed.

that she has received absolutely no airplay. She hasn't sold that many albums because nobody knows she has a record out. If she had some promotional support from her record company/label then this album would be selling like hot cakes. It's a real shame. It is also a shame that she didn't win AI. She was the best singer out of the whole bunch including Fantasia. This girl needs some props. I hope that a more estblished record label picks her up the next time. This album is a classy R&B record with a mix of breathtaking ballads and groovy r&b tracks. She displays such an extroadinary classic voice that is unique with superior range, maturity, and power. Her voice is charismatic that completely commands her audience. She effortlessly hits the high notes and you can't help but get chills. She is a true gem. Her career could go far if she had more support behind her. I highly recommend this album if you are looking for a supurb vocal R&B album.

I was listening to some fine tracks on a recent flight and was pleasantly surprised to hear they were sung by Latoya. Very nice, smooth sound, she can fit well into the R&B, soul or even light jazz categories. Whether you think she should have won American Idol or not, there's no doubt she left the show too early and deserves a full publicity push for this very good record.

La Toya's debut album Love and Life is simply outstanding. It's been quite a while since I have wanted to listen to an album in its entirety over and over again. Great job Toya! The production of the album is great. It's a very uplifting, moving, inspirational, soulful, and mellow album. As La Toya says, it has something on it for everyone.

I will review this album song by song as many others have done here.

Scandalous---This song is a very sexy club song. It has grown on me over the past few weeks. Very catchy; I would give it a 9.5/10.

Every Part of Me---I love this song. In my opinion, this is la Toya through and through. Excellently produced, and beautifully sung, 10.

Learn To Breathe---MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE SONG! Not only is this my favorite song on this album, but I do believe it is my favorite song in general. It is literally the most beautiful song I have ever heard. Very inspirational, beautiful, uplifting, and mesmerizing. I cannot say enough about this song. It is phenomenal. 10

Appreciate---Catchy hook. Good song.

State of My Heart--This shows the passion La Toya possesses when she sings a meaningful song. It is very well done. One of my favorites on the album. 10

Practice Makes Perfect--I hope that this song is released as a single. I think it has the most crossover appeal of them all. It is definitely a song that gets stuck in your head, makes you want to dance, and sing along. Great song! 9.5

Meet me Halfway---Another one of my favorite songs on the album. It is so mellow and easy on the ears. A very telling song about relationships and life in relationships. Great song! 10

Waiting For You---Wonderful inspirational song. I can see this song being played in a movie or something. I love the choir...really brings this one home. EXCELLENT...10

Anything---I LOVE this song. This is a song for all the ladies, or at least the ladies that admit they like to get a little freaky! I will leave it at that....10

Non A Watcha Do--I find myself singing this song in my head constantly. It's very catchy. I think this would make a great single as well. It's cute, and well done...9.5

I can't Hide What's in My Heart---A beautiful song. 9

More---Another sexy song, and it too is a great one...9.5

How I love the Rain---This song is timeless, captivating, and mesmerizing. It is perfection personified. Love it..10

All By Myself--It is great that we can listen to the entire song through La Toya's voice. It is beautiful...I love how she downplays the voice in the first few chorus' and then really stops the show at the end. Wonderful! 10

Overall, this album is outstanding. La Toya reminds us that truly great singers still exist. She also shows us that timeless music is still being produced. If you haven't already done so, I highly recommend you buy this album. It is one that will stand the test of time. Great Job Toya. You definitely didn't disappoint!

I didn't really watch AI 2004 so I wasn't familiar with LaToya London. I just happened upon it while browsing Itunes one day. I stayed late at work to finish downloading the album. It's that good. I love that it's just pure singing. Beautiful singing. It's not over produced like so much out there now. If you like pure vocals you should buy this album you will not be sorry.

I'm going to do something just a little different. I'm going to rearrange the songs for the sake of grouping the songs into three categories, (1)Sexy, Sensual, (2)Falling In Love and (3)You Feeling Me? Love & Life is very defined in song content and theme. I know I've been through these various scenario in my relationships, I'm sure others have as well. In the midst of this wonderful collection of songs are what I call stand alone songs. Here we go:

SEXY, SENSUAL
1. Scandalous - This track is off the hook!
2. Anything - This is the record that separates La Toya from anything Idol-ish
3. More - One of the best tracks on the CD

Stand Alone Track:
4. How I Love The Rain - This is an instant classic. It should be for La Toya what I Will Always Love You was for Whitney. I could have categorize it in 'Falling In Love' but I think the track is so powerful it deserves to stand alone.

FALLING IN LOVE
5. Every Part Of Me - This is a smooth midtempo gem. A current single
6. Practice Makes Perfect - Nice cool out track
7. I Can't Hide - Another of my upper echelon songs
8. Learn To Breathe - Passion personified
9. Appreciate - The fellas get some love finally, good looking out Ms. London

Stand Alone Track:
10. Waiting For You - The lyrics here fit best at any school graduation. I could also see this as a tribute song during these times of destruction due to the hurricanes. Easily and obviously the most inspirational song on the CD. Tremendous vocals by La Toya and delivered with the intense passion the song requires. The choir towards the end is genius!

YOU FEELING ME?
11. Non A What Cha Do - The only song I struggle with
12. State Of My Heart - I've heard this live, heart stopping
13. Meet Me Halfway - An absolute gem

Stand Alone Track:
14. All By Myself - This is the track that introduced many of us to La Toya. For that reasons it should stand alone. She took time with this song on the front end and blazed the big notes on the back end. Eric Carmen should be very proud.

Bottomline, don't play yourself, La Toya has delivered one of the two best CD's I've heard this year.

One

This American Idol is, as Simon would say, SUPERB! Her Love and Life album delivers a smooth, relaxing sound (even the up-tempo tracks)...definitely for the grown and sexy. It's about time the world got some good music to croon to...
Paula Edwards,
Author of The Last Bad Decision

first off i will say i loved CD . as i have always said before Latoya is always best with the ballads but her jammin songs are still good as well.

SCANDALOUS; dance tune great hook .the sample in it reminds me of the TomTomClub song "genius of love" from the 80's a bit.

EVERY PART OF ME ; smooth midempo song .luv the jazz guitar vibe it has .

LEARN TO BREATH ; great power ballad where Latoya shows off her singing talents . nice melody as well.

APPRECIATE; great jammin song Latoya sounds like she had a good time doing this one .the BlackThought rap adds a real nice flow to the song as well .

STATE OF MY HEART ; one of the best songs .it has a nice blues,gospel like meloncholy feel to it . it really shows off Latoya's talent .

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT; midempo and very pop sounding song for Latoya . i really like it.

MEET ME HALFWAY ;real nice smooth slow jam .

WAITING FOR YOU; this is one of the songs i have been looking foward to the whole version and it does not disapoint .just a beautiful uplfting ballad where Latoya shows us what she has got.

ANYTHING; we get the sensious,sultery and sexy side of Latoya on this one .nice little song.

NON A WATCHA DO ;catchy dance jam

I CANT HIDE ;real nice smooth slow jam

MORE ;a real smooth catchy midtempo jam

HOW I LOVE THE RAIN ; a real nice soft jazzy feel to it .love the piano background sound on it.

ALL BY MYSELF ; the song that started it all for Latoya is a great way to end this incredible ,beautiful cd that Latoya has given us . starts off soft and builds up as the real power of Latoya's voice kicks in.

Wow!!!! What else can you say after having the privilege of hearing the sultry voice of this beautiful diva on her debut album "Love and Life." This album simply Kicks Ass! Classy, Sophisticated, Elegant, Smooth... these are all more than appropriate words to describe this outstanding album and the voice of it`s star. The dance tracks are totally hip hop and sooo awesome. LaToya sings like there is no tomorrow on all of the ballads and might I add, she co-wrote several of them herself. If you had the chance to see LaToya on American Idol season 3, well.... you ain't see nothing yet! Seriously!! I have no doubt that this album will be up for multiple Grammy Awards. American Idol helped to launch the career of this insanely talented and gorgeous Diva but now, she's all on her own! I can't stop listening to this Album! In fact, it's playing right now. "Waiting for You" Damn!! that's like, intense gospel roots. Awesome! And "Non A Whatcha Do" If you don't feel like hittin' the club after that track... then I feel very very sorry for you. Haha. No but really, anyone who can pull off those 2 songs, and have them come from the same album... Oh wait... She also wrote them! Soo I guess what I'm trying to say is, step aside Whitney! Step aside Mariah and Aretha and Chakakahn. This world's got a new Diva, and her name is LaToya London! Go out and buy "Love and Life" and see for yourself! Oh, and P.S. I swear I wasn't paid to write this review... I'm just a really big fan!