Customer Reviews

Ryan Leslie

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

It was long overdue, but I'm glad it finally dropped. I downloaded and burned it before I went to work so I could listen to the final product in my minivan (and I bang my music in the minivan). It's definately a head nodder and the fact that he plays all the instruments and uses no samples is even more awesome. I can easily say that most of the songs are my favorite, but the ones that stand out to me are 'How it was supposed to Be', 'Valentine', 'IRINA', and 'Out of the Blue'. Great job and Ryan is an Inspiration to all the Nerds of the world...you can be cool and smart!

Been following R-LES for the last 3 years through his Youtube channel and website. Even had an opportunity to sit with him in studio in NYC last year. You can see the passion, desire and energy in his work. A rising intellectual star that deserves recognition and success. This debut label backed album is solid from start to end and has been on many people's waiting lists for years. His production stellar, vocal style smooth and expressive, definitely going to make the ladies and fella's bob their heads. Buy this NOW and support this great upcoming artist.

First of all, I have been a R.Les fan for years now. Ever since I heard "Used 2 Be" and "Just Right" a few years back... I am glad to say that this album does not disappoint. He was ready to release it after "Diamond Girl", and then after "Addiction", but now he releases it after "How it was supposed to be" (which all 3 are solid hits in my opinion), and this album has more for you to love ("Gibberish", "Just Right", etc.)

So, for all Ryan Leslie fans, this album was worth the wait, but was long overdue! And for anyone who is just starting to hear his music, then pick up this album! Check out his youtube channel to see clips of him creating these, and you'll have a better appreciation for what this man can do!

For the most part, I been riding with leslie ever since he produced the whole album for cassie. I always felt he was a wonderful producer, but that's another discussion. I think this album is some solid work not the greatest album, but great enough that you can actually sit down and listen to the album straight through. Songs I'm liking on here is I-R-I-N-A, Diamond Girl, Addicted but I liked the one without fabolous but who cares, and Valentine crazy record right there. Overall, good album get it if you can.

This album was supposed to be released last spring. Then it was pushed to June. After that, August, then October. I was upset each time I'd hear the date was being pushed back yet again. Now that it is officially released, I must say it was worth the wait. Every track on this album is unique. I already had majority of the tracks, but the ones I didn't, I absolutely LOVED! I love every single song on this album, and every song that RLes has sang. My personal top faves on this album are Quicksand, Valentine, and Gibberish. Gibberish is quite different, and not something that someone would expect from an artist like Ryan. I don't think he planned putting this track on the album when he first made the song, but I'm glad he did. Many people criticize this track, [not being fully able to understand what he is singing, high pitch, etc] but I think it's important for everyone to know that Ryan was experimenting with this and going for something that he hadn't done before. You can find the making of Gibberish on youtube if you are interested in seeing the process.

You will NOT be disappointed if buying this album!

His up-tempo tracks are exactly what I need to get my day goin and I just can't take this cd out of my player!

Singer/songwriter/producer Ryan Leslie finally releases his self-titled debut after being delayed for several months. His album is primarily inspired by the 1980's decade of music. There are nods to new wave, synth funk, electro pop and, believe it or not, yacht rock. He makes it obvious that he worships at the altar of all things Hall & Oates, especially on the songs "You're Fly", "Quicksand", and "Wanna Be Good". As a matter of fact, a couple of Hall & Oates associates appear on this album. Tommy Mottola, who is also Ryan's label boss, plays guitar on one song (He was Hall & Oates' manager throughout most of their career), while their longtime collaborator Tom "T-Bone" Wolk is credited with playing on a few songs. Ryan's early singles "Diamond Girl" and "Addiction" both appear on here. The album closes with the appopriately titled "Gibberish", a song in which he is literally saying nothing. This album is worth the purchase. Do not pass this one up!

Ryan Leslie deserves to be mentioned with other triple threats (singer, songwriter, producer) such as The-Dream and NeYo. He is just as great as those guys if not greater. Ryan Leslie single handedly made Cassie relevant (as she really had no talent on her own) with excellent songwriting and unique and fresh production. Enter 2009 Ryan Leslie's long overdue solo album finally surfaces and delivers all of the goods necessary to compete in the crowded music world.

Even though at least half of the songs are older and have made their way around the mixtape circuit doesn't take away from the fact that this is a fabolous debut album. It's just a testament to the fact that these songs can withstand the test of time in this "what have you done for me lately" musical climate. Diamond Girl, Addiction (that song is so great even though I feel the remix with Keri Hilson & Rick Ross is greater), How It Was Supposed To Be, IRINA, Out Of The Blue, You're Fly, Shouldn't Have To Wait, Valentine etc. etc. Every song is no less than 4 stars and it's a handful of classic songs to be had. On the production tip Leslie is so versatile and his lyrics are honest and down to earth and he sings them with passion. Vocally he isn't the greatest but he stays in his lane and knows what he can and cannot do. He always sticks to what he can do and he does it very well.

Ryan Leslie knocked it out of the park with this effort and I advise you if you have not already done so to purchase this man's album and support good music and great musicians like Ryan Leslie. He deserves it. 5 stars.

The man is insane. His understanding of music as a producer and an artist is so inspiring. Plus he graduated from Harvard, so he's smart too. His blood, sweat, and tears definitely went into this album and you can tell by the creativity, raw emotion, and soul that is wrapped up into every song. Every song is catchy, flawless, and pure. The album has an Old School swag to it, but at the same time its so New School and futuristic. Keep up the good work Ryan! I'm looking forward to your next album, and many more in the future!

New York Black Men know how to carry things out with class. Even though I'm not 100% sure that's where Ryan is from, I know its his homebase. With This self-titled album, Ryan has deemed himself worthy of being added to my CD shuffle which currently includes a lot of Bilal CD's.

I have been putting Ryan on repeat and letting it go round and round. Each track has a different personality to it, but not so drastic that you think its a different producer on each track. Each track builds on the previous and Ryan doesn't try to sing harder than what he can. He's not Eric Benet', but he's got the Gift that's needed to compose and sing his own music.

You can tell he is someone who has put himself out there, gotten hurt, and accepts the fact that LOVE is not for the faint hearted. His tone is poetic and his accent helps a music listener to appreciate just how necessary 'yearning' is in R&B/Soul Music in order for the listener to feel where the artist is coming from and exactly what they wanted you to take away. Ryan truly gave the world a gift by releasing these songs. Right now he hasn't gotten that Grammy, but let an established singer take one of Ryan's runsto the Billboard Top 5 and it's a wrap.

i love that he wrote, produced, and sung everything himself....no mistake here....your cd player will thank you.