Customer Reviews

The Pearl

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Nearly three years later...I am just now getting hip. I must admit if I had heard this CD when it first dropped I would have slept on it anyway. In maturing, an appreciation for real music is developed. There is something significant and powerful about music that escapes the confines of labels and categories as people struggle to give it a name and group it with bona fide crap. Aquanote's The Pearl is one of those rare jewels that refuse to be named!

Normally I would say I'm not typically into house music; I'm more of a soulful laid back gal. With the fusion of sounds on this album I don't know where I belong but I know I am happy with this choice! The music is so energetic, so dynamic, so aesthetically amazing that I am running out of words. As I listen to it right now I want to stop what I am doing, close my eyes and let my body do whatever it wants! My heads bobs as I sway slowly to the rhythm of "All Over You" which is by far the most captivating track I have heard in a long time. The intro to "Never Let it Go" is like a dream that you never want to end as it slides into an irresistible uptempo dance beat. "Heartbreaker" is so damn real, so heartfelt, so honest that it must be repeated. Just listen. If you know and love music regardless of boundaries and set expectations just listen to the whole CD. You will be pleased.

Naked Music isn't simply a dance label; it's a way of life. Not content on being known merely for their groovilicious house compilations, Naked Music branches out into new territory on its solid release from the Pearl. "Aquanote" is the perfect solution for those who are looking for after-midnight jams featuring warm vocals, mellowed-out beats, and relaxing grooves. This is soul music, but without the sheen and gloss of much of modern r&b. The best track is easily "Heartbreaker," a downtempo song with a dash of hip hop flava set to impressive vocals. I agree that this is a CD you need to listen to at least twice to get under your skin, as it may not grab you the first time around. "Aquanote" is a fine release from one of the most independently-thinking labels out there.

for those delving into this cd expecting something along the lines of the Blue Six release (Beautiful Tomorrow), ur in for a very pleasent surprise. with hardly anything resembling the signature naked house sound, some might first be turned off, but the overall vibe is there and one must remember naked music fist started out as a soul outfit (see: naked music NYC). i guess the most appealing aspect of "the pearl" is it's heavy 80's influence (see: true love, all over you). some of the tracks almost sound like homages to 80's break-dance music, whereas the one outstanding track featuring the incomparable Lisa Shaw on vocals (all over you) just plain uses a big splashing snare, indicative of what is universally recognised as belonging to that certain era. the best thing is, this tribute to an often laughed upon era of music (by today's generation anyways) is done with no cheese attached, creating perhaps one of the most soulful homages to 80's r&b i've heard *ever*.

"the pearl" may take a couple of repeat listens to fully hook u in. at first i was slightly disappointed there were no house tracks at all, but that temporary insanity soon passed and i put this release up there with the naked greats. but then again, aren't they all greats? just think of Aquanote as another facet of the naked sound. Blue Six represents deep, stripped house. Miguel Migs (who's solo album is coming in Sep.) represents the more funky side of deep soul house. while Aquanote isn't "house", it shares the same cool vibe and fits along nicely in the naked collection, especially enhanced by soulshaking vocal performances by lisa shaw & zoe ellis just to name a couple. the styles range from breakbeat, to soul, to cool r&b, and brasilian. so get into it!

can't *wait* for the remixes (and you *know* they're gonna be plentiful).

V.

First and foremost let me begin by saying this is one of the most fulfilling CD's I have ever purchased and it will never ever leave my CD changer!!! I have had to buy five because each time someone hears it they have to have it. I love deep house as a whole but this CD transcends the entire genre. It expertly conveys emotions and seems as if the lyrics are caressing your soul. Not to mention the banging art work inside of the cover. I feel like this CD was made for me. I hope to hear more like this in the future from Gabriel Rene.

One-

*/\ngel!ta De La /\/oche*
Chicago, IL USA

With the lyrics and mixing of Gabriel Rene and the various vocalists, this is one of the best CD's I own to date. Each track flows flawlessly into the next with the beats remaining super tight throughout the whole CD. You can turn it up and groove or turn it down and chill-out. Truly an awesome CD.

OF THE Naked Album releases, this is by far the most inspired.

Gabriel Rene is definitely a Stevie Wonder fan, because I can hear the influence throughout the cd.

"Nowhere" is the best track on the cd. This song is hauntingly beautiful...
The melody is the most perfect one I've heard in years.
The bassline & chord progression is very remeniscent of Stevie Wonder's 70's work, and this is a good thing.

Perfect song.

The other standout is "All for you".
This track has a nice synth bassline, complete with jazzy rhodes chords, and silky smooth vocals by Lisa Shaw.
Very much on the 80's soul / funk vibe, and this is also a very good thing.

The rest of the cd is quite solid as well, although not quite as great as the two tracks mentioned above.

Overall, this is a fine piece of work, with some extremely strong songs.
The production is top notch. Gabriel has a good ear for sounds & arrangements.

Highly recommended!

btw: It's such a shame that the album didn't get the recongnition or airplay that it deserves.
This cd could have gone platinum overseas, if proper promotion & distribution were in place.

Reeno
WWW.SPAZZOID.COM

I am a huge fan of Naked Music. When I first heard the samples of this album, I knew I had to get it. As soon as I got it, I played it over and over again. Each and every song speaks to me. I guess it doesn't help that I am in the *butterfly* stages of a new love and this album is the soundtrack. The vocals are surreal, the lyrics are simple yet eloquent, and the music is spectacular in its delivery. My favorites are All Over You, One Wish, Waiting, and The Last One. Lisa Shaw outdid herself in All Over You. Omega just shined in One Wish, so much so, that a very critical mother of mine, had to pause and come into my room to see who was singing so incredibly, commenting, "This is good". All in all, I will be playing this gem for many years to come. I feel very lucky to have found it and I will be playing next time my honey comes over. It's too bad that it did not get much airplay when it first came out, but then again radio does not know how to handle strong, deep, soul house music.

Aquanote's cover is something that will definitely get you looking at the CD. Beneath it, is a musical treasure. I'm all into this kind of music. Many of the songs are very soulful and creative as well. The standouts are "Waiting", which is my favorite. I think I played "Waiting" like 5 times in a row. "Heartbreaker" and "One wish". The rest of them are not bad by any means, but you will definitely drift towards your favorites after listening. Wind down with this CD and relax.

If I'm looking for some inspiration background music, Aqua Note is my choice. It's so powerful, yet unobvious. To really appreciate it, you must sit in your overstuffed arm chair and just drink in the beautiful voices and seamless sound.

I bought this CD based on only a recommendation. Never heard it before in my life. I haven't stopped listening to it yet. It's well worth the try.

With its heavy mix of R&B/Soul and deephouse music, Aquanote's debut album, "The Pearl", is a wonderful contribution to the Naked Music camp. Beginning with the ethereal "Water Psalm 1" (followed by II and III later on in the album) we are given an introduction into the overall sound of this amazing "Pearl". Smooth, fluid continuity paired with intelligent and heartfelt lyrics that move straight from your head to your heart. Containing songs like "Heartbreaker" and "Her Name Was Truly", we can hear the classic deep-house that is familiar to the Naked label, but songs like "All Over You" and "The Last One" are what really make this album shine. They are a testament to old-school R&B/Soul/Funk that has been slightly altered to include some new-school house music, creating a whole new era in music as well as a completely new sound to the world. What we have here is a solid effort in the music world. But is more than just an effort, it is a contribution to art and honesty. This album is not just 'The Pearl", it is the serene and intriguing aura around it