Customer Reviews

Rewind

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On the surface, this debut album by Ricky Fante is a breath of fresh air in an era of synthesized sampled soul, but upon several listens, there's nothing that digs deep enough to be memorable. All the poses are there -- the raspy voice, the Memphis-sounding horns, the call-and response background vocals, but imitation is not necessarily the foundation of a lasting career. Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and Al Green, all of whom are echoed here, are originals and innovators, and had better written songs to work with. I suspect this album will become a crossover staple and Grammy favorite -- it is very easy to digest. But there's really nothing to stir the soul and rock the foundation of the listener. I prefer more spirit and danger in my soul music.

I had no clue who Ricky Fante was until I heard him on NPR, and now I pledge to buy everything he releases. This album is incredible, and if he isn't nominated for a grammy...... well, then, the grammy voters are sniffing something reminiscent of glue.
Do yourself a favor and buy this album. I hesitate to call it an album, though, really. It's more of an experience in soul music.

I can't understand why some people gave this cd only 2 stars. This album is not creative by any means, and what? Good music is not necessarily creative. Ricky Fanté just makes soul that sounds exactly back, way back in the days, when soul music was just irresistibly organic, earthy and gave you big chills.
Is there anything wrong with that?
In these times where R&B we hear at the radio has often lost the signification of its letters, it's really enjoyable to listen to a cd like that. I wouldn't call this album neo-soul because you won't find any hip hop beats incorporated in it and it's not an experimental record with poetic lyrics either. It's just retro-soul, and very well-done retro-soul, which reminds the likes of Otis Redding, Sam Cooke or Al Green.
Ricky Fanté won't make you forget about them (and nobody will) but thanks to him the legacy of this kind of great classic soul singers can continue.
Many tracks from this album sound like instant classics, which is inarguably a quality proof.
My personal favorite are the 1st five tracks, I find the other ones a notch behind, which doesn't mean they are bad of course.
I highly recommend this album to everyone into soul music (whatever it is classic or contemporary), as well as the ones from Donnie and Jacksoul

This album is my favorite surprise of the year. I bought it having heard just one song and ended up loving them all. I can't wait to hear more from him--hopefully soon!

The album's name is `Rewind', but we would flip the `w' and name it `Remind' because it reminds us of some of the superb R&B records of the 60s and 70s. Fante (pronounced `Fontay') is an exciting and expressive young soul singer whose vocal range sits about halfway between those of Otis Redding and Tina Turner (at least that's where we situated him until another resemblance dawned on us-Joe Tex). But face it, there are a lot of great voices out there. What gives Fante a leg up, hell, a millipede's worth of legs up, are the absolutely terrific batch of songs he and a small squad of co-writers have come up with for his debut album. Every one sounds like a lost nugget from Memphis, Motown, or Muscle Shoals. The arrangements-with liberal doses of horns and back-up singers-shore up the retro feel of the record as does the fitting production by Josh Deutsch. The album's instant familiarity and commercial veneer has garnered it surprising air-play on some `Adult Contemporary' radio stations. If it can open the door for a resurgence of good, old-timey, soul music, we're all for it. (Speaking of which, we also recommend the similarly soulful cd, 'Resurrection' by Jacksoul)

I just bought this cd today, and I think that it is just incredible! I haven't stopped listening to it for a second. He is truly a legend in the making! I love the way that he has brought back the roots of the soul era. His voice is filled with SO much passion and SO much soul; he makes you feel his words. Ricky is a true talent and will be around for many years to come! I fell in love with his voice, his sound, his overall vibe...It's all great! He has a way of making emotions run through you that can make you SMILE or even cry. The cd is amazing...the artistry is amazing...RICKY IS AMAZING!!! I would recommend this cd to anyone, it really makes ya feel good! It soothes your soul! 5 STARS FOR RICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;-)

Ricky Fante puts more soul into a single note than all the other neo-R&Bers combined will manage in their entire lives. Rewind is simply the best R&B release in at least 25 years.

I have seen comparisons of Ricky Fante to Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, and the other great soul artists of the past; these compliments are understandable, but Ricky is an original with a unique sound who pays tribute to the sound of old school Stax/Volt artists without sacrificing a thing.

If you can listen to Rewind without wanting to buy it, call the funeral home...your brain hasn't figured out yet that you've expired.

Yes, Ricky sounds alot like the "old school" when you listen to his CD, but that's not necessarily a let down. His vocals bring to mind Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and Al Green among others. We are in desperate need of real singers and Ricky delivers. There is not one song on this CD that I don't like. This is a welcome change from the "stuff" that is passed off as music today. I would list my favorites, but that would mean listing the entire album. I say if you want to hear a singer at the top of his game, then I suggest that you go out and get this CD. Music is back and Ricky is bringing it.

I didn't think he did all that well on tv, but his style is good, so I looked futher into it. With most young black talent going into a hip-hop direction, Fante' has chosen Southern Soul as practiced in the early 60's. His voice is good, similar to what Sam Cooke sounded like when he strained at live shows,(although -noone- is -that- good). At this point the song that will put Fante' over the top hasn't been found, and it'll be interesting to go to a live show to see if he takes it to the level of passion that the great soul-men did,(not to be expected on a studio cd). In the mean-time, he, Robert Cray, and a very small core of little-known singers are all we have.

there is nothing neo about Ricky Fante's debut. If only today's r&b and soul musicians will pay respectful homage to the music of yesteryear, the drought in good soul-inspiring music might end abruptly. This is a wonderful album. Listening to it, I forget that this is music created this decade; I feel like I am back to when it all began though I am not old enough to have witnessed the birth of soul. Ricky's voice is gratingly aching in its portrayal of love and hurt. It is raw and soothing at once.