Customer Reviews

Other Side

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

 

 

Once again another UK artist has captured my ears. If you were to hear this kat, you would think automatically it's D'Angelo. No, in my opinion he has a vibe much different from D'Angelo's but the voice on some songs can make you think twice. What got me the most about this CD is the TIGHT production that was done on this CD. The beats are phat inspite of what you may think of the man. The very first track had my ears open from the smooth stroke of the bass guitar. "Say it ain't so?" is one of the many tracks that the production is on point and his voice makes them a true jam. With his great voice (HE CAN SING) and the phat beats made this a welcomed addition to my sOuL collection. Let me go out on a limb AND SAY that I like this CD better than D'Angelo's second release.......but Brown Sugar is the bomb. Not trying to compare him at all because it's like comparing an apples to a oranges......it's all good music period.

oNe

1997's "Medicine 4 My Pain" announced Lynden David Hall as a soul singer to contend with and the unique twist of course being Lynden is English. Spurred on by the hit single "Sexy Cinderella" he joined Omar, Lewis Taylor, Beverley Knight etc amongst the few credible acts of this genre in the UK. His followup effort was highly awaited...

"The Other Side" is in no way an anti-climax. Lynden steps up the assault on all levels, the only downside being lack of true commercial singles which led to his downfall. On this album in my opinion the artist improves his songcraft and production immeasurably even though the debut was an excellent beginning chapter.

Given deep listening you will find lush strings recalling Curtis Mayfield, vocal inflections equal parts Al Green, D'Angelo and Sly Stone and excellent crisp production. "Sleeping With Victor" is a true highlight, recalling Prince at his most carefree and skittish this acoustic led tale is also very humorous. Meshell Ndegeocello guests on bass guitar.

The other singles, the relaxed "Forgive Me" and "Let's Do It Again" (A cover of the Curtis Mayfield-penned Staple Singers hit) are also excellent, although perhaps lacking the instant hook needed for high chart action.

Two other favourites of mine would be album opener "If I Had To Choose" and "Where Is God?". "Where Is God?" sees Lynden reflecting on religion in this most jaunty number and "If I Had To Choose" continues the theme of confronting his father from the title track of "Medicine...". This time however he addresses the issues in a funky defiant manner (Meshell is on bass duties again) as opposed to the former's brooding ballad stylings.

Over the length of fourteen tracks there are no lulls in proceedings and a cohesive, consistent, concept remains throughout. Sadly this album lacked mainstream appeal and would prove his last for EMI, he lost his deal soon after. That doesn't stop this LP being one of the finest efforts of 2000 and to date Lynden's crowning glory... check it out.

Lynden's website: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lyndendavidhall/

Lynden David Hall (7 May 1974 - 14 February 2006) was a singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. Born in Wandsworth, South London, he won the 'best newcomer' accolade at the 1998 MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards.

In 1999, he was the first UK performer ever voted "Best Male Artist" by the readers of Britain's Blues & Soul magazine. His debut album, Medicine For My Pain, plus the singles Do I Qualify and Sexy Cinderella, had an instant appeal to soul fans in the UK and elsewhere, but it wasn't until his work got the remix treatment that he got his major breakthrough.

Hall appeared in the hit film Love Actually in 2003, where he sang at the wedding of the characters played by Keira Knightley and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Two years later, he released his third studio album In Between Jobs on the independent label Random Records.

In 2004, Hall was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He passed away on St. Valentine's Day, 2006, after having lost his battle with the disease at the age of 31.

This CD is a real find and worth the hefty import price!!! While Hall never gets mentioned with fellow UK'rs Craig David and Hil St. Soul, he's just as good. Maybe even better. I first heard him on Comcast Cable's digital R&B channel (411). The radio remix of "Forgive Me" is on very, very limited rotation and it blew me away. So, I purchased the CD and found it packed with great tunes including "If I Had To Choose", "Say It Ain't So", "U Let Him Have U", "Hard Way" The planets must be aligning because I then found a used UK copy of his first CD and started groovin' to "Qualify". In all the songs the beats are tight and Hall's scratchy soulful singing always stands out. His voice is a little funkier than most R&B balladeers and compares favorably to D'Angelo and even Sly Stone. Whatever the case, "Other Side" is now on heavy rotation -- on my CD player along with Dave Hollister's Chicago; Jessie Powell's - "About It"; Jaheim's - Ghetto Soul; Hil St. Soul's -Organic Soul; Angie Stone's -Mahogany Soul; + India.Arie, Ruff Endz, Koffee Brown, Tweet, Missy, Bilal, Misuq, Tyrese. Some pretty tough company -- and he fits right in.

This album is all that and then some. I was sold on him from the first album. This one is even better than the first. Most people haven't heard of him. He has that clean, smooth style. Not to mention that his sound is similiar to D'angelo's. He is not trying to portray or even emulate him, but the sound is somewhat close. He also is up there with Maxwell. Might even be better than Maxwell. I think he could go real far. His music is somewhat innocent. Being that it is not dragged down by the nowadays typical R&B sound of whooing and whining. This album is a must. If you want to hear all the grinding and cursing listen to another CD. This CD will sooth and get you in the mood without even trying.

Well what can I say about Lyndens's second album. First of all I have to say that I don't have his first album unfortunetly becuase I can't find it anywhere, anyway back to my review of the album. What can I say...hmmmmmm...buy it. My favourite songs on the cd are, Forgive me, Hard way, To be a man (which is a cool slow song), Other side and of course my favourite being, Wanna be another you, which is a cool sexy song dedicated to the girl that you love. Sleeping with Victor is a cool catchy song. The cd also contains two gospel type songs my favourite of those being Where's god. Well to the end point, this is a great cd and a must have, unlike some other albums, the more you listen to the album the more you will like it. Must have.

I have been a huge fan ever since Medicine for My Pain, and this is even better. The first single - Sleeping With Victor is catchy but it is the words, not the beats, that make this album so good. Perfect for playing on a hot summer day whilst relaxing in the garden.

After his excellent debut'Medicine 4 my Pain', Lynden released his sophmore effort mid 2000. After the critical acclaim of 'Medicine' EMI/Cooltempo sought to push Lynden into a more commercial angle, as is there right, after all they are in the business of making money. This album is a great example of why British soul artists rarely do well on major labels. The label, as mentioned, seeks to get as much money back as it can from it's investment. As in this case, this is normally at the expense of the actual product. Make no mistake, this albums has some fine songs on here,but, I think the the songs chosen for single release did not really make the buying public want to go out and cop this CD.'Sleepng with victor' whilst well sung as always by Lynden, to me, is a novelty song, that after repeated hearing soon becomes boring. 'Forgive me' and Let's do it again' again whilst Lynden does his best with these toons, there are better songs on the CD.

Strong single contenders? Take your pick from the rousing 'If I had to choose', the silky smooth 'U let him have you', the acoustic beauty of 'Don't wanna talk' the light and summery 'Are we still cool, where Lynden sings in an off key kinda way, to my personal fav'Dead and Gone' which builds to a rousing climax, and then then with just his voice, and the acoustic guitar.

As mentioned in a previous review, this was Lynden's last project for EMI. An artist needs time to grow, and given that time, Lynden, with the might and publicity of a major label behind him, is a star-in-waiting.