Relationships

Vesta (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 15, 1998)
• Original Release Date: September 15, 1998
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00000AFDV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,176 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Soul diva returns with her strongest set to date, September 15, 1998

By 

John Jones "Musician" (Chicago IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Relationships (Audio CD)

It's been five years since Vesta's last release, "Everything and More," and she's apparently put the time to good use. Not only has she shed a good 100 pounds at least (the sultry picture inside the booklet of her lying on a bed in a negligee is quite an eye-opener for those of us who were fans back when she was the size of Chaka Khan) but she's retooled her overall sound to a near-perfect adult pop/soul/jazz collage. And her fans have every reason to be happy about it.

Vesta's albums have always been enjoyable, but they've also always been a little too in the moment...her ballads were great but the uptempo numbers followed whatever trends were dominant in R&B at the time, making the albums a bit dated down the line. Thankfully, "Relationships" has no such problem. The tone here is mature and sophisticated; this album is one for the adult R&B fans (thank God someone remembered we still exist!).

"Somebody for Me" and "Can You Feel Me" are smooth, polished numbers waiting for radio, "Like Today" and "Just Fine" are gorgeous modern jazz/soul pieces, helped by the production and co-writing of Lee Ritenour. And "I Have To" is a slow-swinging, supper-club jazz number, an instant jazz/soul classic along the lines of Anita Baker's "Been So Long." But don't think she's afraid to get a little funky..."For Old Times Sake" and "Who" are pulsating midtempo numbers, and the album's closer, "All Because I'm Free," is a finger-popping gem that matches a funky upright bass with a psychedelic, vibrating Rhodes keyboard and a flawless vocal to create one of the album's very best cuts.

After years of great singles and good albums, it's great to see Vesta evolve into a mature soul artist not afraid to take her own, jazzy path. We fans are richer for having shared the journey.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars vesta gets personal., September 17, 1998

By 

Yiannis Psaroudis "divastation.com" (soho, ny) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Relationships (Audio CD)

vesta williams is back, after a five-year hiatus, with a new album that showcases a more mature and sultry version of the diva than some of her fans may be used to. songs like "i'll be alright" and "somebody for me" seem more personal than her earlier work...almost as if the listener has become privy to the intimate thoughts running through the soulstresses mind. meanwhile, a stronger jazz influence on songs like "i have to" and the stevie wonder-penned "you and i" combine williams' chaka-like vocals with dianne reeves-like riffs that may finally earn her the recognition that she deserves. meanwhile, "who" let's us know that vesta hasn't lost her street credibility and may even draw in the aaliyah/nicole crowd, if they know what's good for them. here's hoping that it won't be another five years before we're treated to another sampling of this diva's talent but, if it is, we know it will be well worth the wait.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Develop a "relationship" with Vesta on this outstanding CD., March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Relationships (Audio CD)

Vesta, if you by chance read this, your cd is great. Listeners I highly recommend this cd. It is so good. I can not stop listening to it. Vesta should be dominating the radio waves right now. Not to diss hip hop artists but with a voice like this, why can't Vesta being experience some of the success the hip hop artist are experiencing...there's room at the top for everyone.....