Customer Reviews

Ritual of Love

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The heir apparent to the throne of Miss Ross/crossover divadom, Karyn White released this breathtaking collection of romantic ballads and irresistible dance tunes in Fall 1991 that seemed destined to place her in the upper echelons of the pop pantheon. The album kicks off with its lead single, "Romantic", a triumphal #1 multiformat smash. This irresistible hit also sported a video directed by Marcus Nispel, who revolutionized the genre with his lightning quick editing and energy. "Ritual of Love", track two, should have been the set's 2nd single; its tough and sinuous African polyrhythms and erotic (but not NASTY) vibe make this an underrated gem and sleeper classic. Overall, the album exudes a feeling of classy sexiness, and of course, romance, with the second half of the set comprised of classic-sounding MATURE ballads that hearken to the days of Philly International and Motown. "Do Unto Me" was this set's "Superwoman", a righteous treat-me-right song, and "Tears of Joy" was produced by Anita Baker's producer Michael J. Powell and revealed the maturity of Karyn White. Released at a time of exciting competition between pop/r&b chanteuses Vanessa Williams, Mariah Carey, Jody Watley, Paula Abdul, and Lisa Stansfield, Karyn White's "Ritual of Love" still holds its own as a nearly flawless set of great ear candy tunes.

After White's 1988-1989 debut hit album, Miss White got three top 10 singles under her belt, at the end 1990 she would have to start with the always dangerous sophomore album, teaming up with record producer different from her first album, specially her husband Terry Lewis, the creation of "Ritual Of Love" was done, the second album of miss White showcased a more funky beat than the first record, with far away from a R&B superballad like "Superwoman", but, with a way better POP entree for the crossover fans, "Romantic" hit #1 back in 1991, and the buss was created, did White choose a wisely direction?, well I don't deny that Romantic is pretty catchy and the lyrics are simply enchanting, but if you listen to the record, you will find funky cuts, that as someone stated, sounded more like Janet Jackson drop outs, not even, "Walkin' The Dog" that somehow enchant at the beginning but gets kind of obnoxious, the other part, when the second single came(Walkin' was the third..and it didn't hit the 100), "The Way I Feel About You" a more more POP song, than R&B, was a easy to swallow song, easy lyrics, easy beat, easy goin', it's a great afternoon song, but doesn't deliver the R&B that White was acostume to. Overall the result of this album reflected on only one hit single, sold less than the debut, only GOLD, and previous a two sabatic years, til 1994, when she release a more soulful album, but with alieneted fans and slow promotion, floped more than this. But to not kill this album at all, because in fact, I own this, and I listen to it time to time, the Highlight are of course the #1 single "Romantic", the should have been single "Ritual Of Love", "The Way I Feel About You"(I played along with Amy Grant Music), and believe it or not I do Have a soft spot for, yes, "Walkin' The Dog"....Karyn White has a privilage voice, and she could have done something better than this.

Although Miss White is not a powerhouse vocalist, "Ritual of Love" is a masterfully produced mixture of great dance tracks and sultry slow jams. The two-tiered album gets off to a fast start with the hit single "Ritual of Love." This tune leads the way for the quicker paced selections. The slower tunes get started with "How I Love You," a lushly arranged song that has a complementary combination of lead vocals and superb orchestration.

This is the perfect follow up to her debut CD.Her voice and songwriting skills improved with ths effort.Alot of the song are about love.At the time she just married record producer Terry Lewis.The dance tunes are funky and the ballads are sincere and straight from the heart.I love this album.I hope we hear more from this talented artist soon

This is a fabolous album that today's pop/r&b singers like Ashanti, B2K, Britney etc. would be hard pressed to created. I love the songs on this album like "Romantic", "Ritual of Love", "Walkin' the Dog", "Tears of Joy", "Do Unto Me" & many more. I suggest fans of today's pop/r&b to check out all Karyn White cd's, you should enjoy it. Karyn's voice is beautiful!

Karyn White's second album, "Ritual Of Love," is a decent follow-up to her self-titled debut. Its lead single, "Romantic," stormed the charts as high as no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eventual singles such as "The Way I Feel About You," and "Walkin' The Dog," didn't match the success of "Romantic." The ballads that best showcase her vocal prowess are "Do Unto Me," "One Heart," and "Tears of Joy." Noticeably absent are L.A. and Babyface, who worked on her debut album eventually delivering 3 no.1 hits. Nonetheless a decent sophomore project by Ms. Superwoman...

Karyn White first became known in 1988 with the anthemic hit "Superwoman," from her self-titled debut that year, and this second album is a highly pleasing second effort that definitely avoids the proverbial "sophomore slump." Much of the production credits go to the legendary team of Jimmy Jam Harris & Terry Lewis (the latter of whom is/was Karyn White's husband), and those signature grooves are all over this album. It doesn't quite have the explosiveness of the period albums of Harris & Lewis contemporary Janet Jackson, but it's still a great album that contains several first-rate songs including the smash hit "Romantic", the Janet Jackson-like "The Way I Feel About You," and the beautiful ballad "Do Unto Me."

Though "Ritual of Love," Karyn White's follow-up to her self-titled debut has a few tracks that are obvious filler, her slinky, sexy charm is still more than enough to satisfy. White's voice can be as slinky as Diana Ross' or as kittenish as Janet Jackson's purr, yet White's is much more thrilling and muscular, her vocal gymnastics obviously influenced by the likes of Babyface and Michael Jackson when he was in his prime. With equal aplomb, she easily handles crunching dance tunes ("Romantic" [the only hit here that ranks with "The Way You Love Me," "Superwoman" or "Love Saw It" from her debut album], "Ritual of Love" and "Walking the Dog") and sultry Babyface-inspired ballads ("Hard to Say Goodbye," "How I Want You," "One Heart"). "Ritual of Love" may not be letter perfect but it's still great enough to make you wish that Karyn White had not decided to abruptly end what was--and would surely have continued to be--a successful recording career.

After Karyn White's successful '88 debut on Warner Bros., I was going "When is her next album coming out?" in 1990. But out she came in summer 1991 with Romantic, which led to this follow up. Strong follow up, but with another set of people to handle the album. White had Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis produce most of this album, with just strong results and more emphasis on song structure this time. Romantic, Love That's Mine and the no-nonsense funk of Walk The Dog are my favorites. The ballads are nice too. Even one of my favorites was produced by Laney Stewart, perhaps one of the most underrated names I heard in the '90s because his songs were so good. Karyn's second album sold well, but not as big as the debut. But her vocal talents are nicely displayed in this effort to match with a sexier look on her album cover.

I could say it's just an awesome album! Jam & Lewis are totally great producers!!