Customer Reviews

Sapphire

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

There's much to be said for someone who's career spans 25 years...and is still considered to be "contemporary" in their genre. Teena Marie stands as an authentic artist whose music crosses several genres...She's a master of R&B, hip-hop and jazz, with obvious gospel influences. She graced us with "La Dona" in 2004, her first effort in 10 years...and a little more than 2 years later, we are given "Sapphire".

"Sapphire" contains a host of radio ready tracks...specifically the first single "Ooh Wee", which is already topping Urban AC radio. The first half of the album is a tour de force of the more commercial tracks, immaculately produced by Lady T herself. Two duets with Smokey Robinson, a brilliant collaboration with Kurupt ("Baby Whose Is It", which is my personal favorite from the first half of the album), and the club-ready "Make It Hot".

The second half of the album showcases Teena in the element she is most known for--the poetic romantic, whose words are carefully chosen and executed with precision. "Somebody Just Like You" is a direct nod to jazz chanteuse Marlena Shaw (the spoken monologue at the end is brilliant) and containts a guest appearance from Gerald Albright. "Romantica" and "You Blow Me Away" are very specific tributes to mentor Rick James. The instrumentation on these two tracks in particular is rich...and reminds one of what we deem as "classic" Teena...

The stand-out track on the whole album, however, is it's closer, the title track, "Resilient (Sapphire)", a chill-giving tribute to Hurricane Katrina victims and survivors. A duet with Teena's daughter Alia Rose, Teena proves what her fans have known for a long time...she is a genius. "Resilient" is simply arranged, but intricately. The harmonies are rich and full..and the sparse instrumentation forces the listener to focus on the lyricism that is second to none.

Once again, Teena delivers...and leaves us wondering what on earth she will give us next.

Teena Marie singing ability brings joy to many of us who truly have enjoyed her great talentfor many years. Since purchasing this CD and listening, I'm not surprise yet I'm always grateful how she continues to give her listening audience her enless best.

From the first song on this CD singing with Smokey Robinson #1 "God Has Created" to song #16, a duet with her beautiful daughter Alia Rose "Resilient (Sapphire), has been in high rotation on all my CD players.

#2 "Cruise Control" with Smokey Robinson is a real treat. Upbeat and very smooth to the ears that also has a little swagger to it.

#10 "Somebody Just Like You" with Gerald Albright gives you that Teena Marie Irons In The Fire CD with a little rapping. You will find this song in high rotation.

#11 "You Blow Me Away" and it did. It brings you back to the Cassanova Brown days, need I say more.

#12 "Simmer Down" with Lady Levi, I almost lost control and forgot I was driving while listening to this song, it sound so awesome, it's upbeat with a very nice jam. Lady Levi brings that special something to Teena's song. She is also on Teena's LaDona CD.

#13 "Romantica" Brought me back to my senses, it is very smooth and causing memories of that special someone, but be careful, listening to this song, it is so beautiful that it leaves you motionless and you never want it to end. This is a song you wish could have been a mininal of 10 minutes long, if possible, longer. So beautiful!!!

"The way you love me" "Make It Hot" every song on this CD, will stay in rotation on you cd player.

Before LaDona (Also #1 CD), her listening and dedicated audiences have waited for her visibility and have since been more than please and so happy to see and hear her again. Teena Marie's daughter Alia Rose is so young with such a wonderful voice which you can hear her on Teena Marie's LaDona and Sapphire CD. Her singing ability as you can hear is guided by the greatest teacher, her mother.

Thank you Teena Marie for always giving your best to your Fans everywhere who recognized and appreciates your talent and your dedication to your music, also we awaits Alia Rose, hopefully real, real soon.

For all Teena Marie fans, this album is a must get. For those who expressed disappointment with LaDona, have no fear - although exec produced by the Cash Money people, SAPPHIRE from start to finish has more of the Lady Tee sound that we're used to. I was prepared to fall in love with 2 or 3 tracks and have the rest "grow" on me over time but happily (and truthfully) I can say that there is only 1 track that I feel really 'meh' about and it's BABY WHO'S IS IT.

I've said this in other reviews of Teena's albums but what I really respect, love & appreciate about her as an artist is that she successfully matches genres of music in all of her albums and doesn't really pander to what "hot" in a specific era of music when she releases albums. She may mix elements like having a guest rapper, mixing reaggea beats in with her music yet the sound is stll signature Lady T.

My standout tracks are: GOD HAS CREATED & CRUISE CONTROL (her & Smokey's vocals sound great together); MAKE IT HOT; APB (love the guitar playing); YOU BLOW ME AWAY & ROMANTICA (both seem to be dedicated to Rick James); SIMMER DOWN (nice reaggea beats) & the georgeous, RESILIENT - sung with her daughter Alia Rose, who I agree with another poster reminds me very much of Stacy Lattisaw!

Overall fans WILL NOT be disappointed in purchasing this disc, it is classic Teena Marie!!

Legendary Lady T is a magical musical wonder and "Sapphire" is a satisfying electic collection of great songs that will be spinning around in your head long after its over & this is the real thing! Stunning work would be received equivalent to "Second-Coming" if done by a male artist, Teena in peak form is at the top of her game in a league all of her own when it comes to a great singer/songwriter making this collection of originals a true masterpiece! Opening with a hypnotic medley with fellow legend Smokey Robinson, in better musical times than this bland and bleak musical period filled with promoted "singers" with no substance, "Cruise Control" would be a blockbuster #1 hit and is better than anything currently on the charts...what is wrong with the music radio programmers of America and how can they shamefully overlook something this great? Take the musical ride of a lifetime with a tremendous artist and be blown away by the sweeping deeply moving "Romantica" which has got to be the most moving performance by anyone in years is GRAMMY AWARD worthy and "You Blow Me Away" will blow away anyone who loves deeply soulful magnificent performances! Why are leaders of the music industry so far removed from the heart and soul of music that they allow something this great to be overlooked...sad yet makes it easy to understand why the industry is falling apart with so many closures of major outlets such as Tower Records, Virgin Records and the list goes on. Thank you Teena Maria for this wondrous musical journey that is complete magic & the ultimate. Shame on the music industy for not rising to the occasion of this amazing collection of great songs and amazing performances...completely out of it cheating the public from enjoying a wildly entertaining masterpiece by an artist who clearly should be on top...hot rocking songs in this great mix of originals could be in the Top 10 with any exposure at all as they are engrossing & addictive when heard! Hello out there in musicland and is there anyone around who cares...WAKE UP and give this dedicated artist her just due & the public some great sounds...NOW is the time for it!
12/26/10 "Sapphire" should have had multiple Grammy Awards & numerous #1 hits...too bad radio & music industry didn't rise to the occasion of this stunning masterpiece from Teena Marie that is a treasure to savor and enjoy over and over...nobody comes close to this level of genius as an amazing composer, musician, performer and extraordinary singer with such depth of soul...RIP Lady T you will be missed by many and Alia Rose thoughts and prayers from fans all over the world are with you at this time.

At 50, most female singers seem destined to be found on either an Indie label or Major label making a covers album of standards that show their vitality and range with the help of The Great American Songbook (Ala Carly Simon, Dionne Warwick etc.) This is yet another amazing release from Soul Siren Teena Marie. I see the complaints every now and then that state she's trying hard to sound hip and with the times. I disagree, she not trying to be hip and with the times, she IS hip and with it. She has been since her 1979 debut, Wild & Peaceful. Try and find one reason why she isn't from past releases like Square Biz (first lady rap of the 80s!) or Portuguese Love (A classy sex song in a time before Madonna or Cyndi Lauper). These two selections mentioned above are just from one album. Think of the wealth of greatness with which we're left from one amazing artist. She's never sounded more confident, sexy and hungry! The inner guitarist in her is still amazing, and searing with a sound that at times echoes the Great Ernie Isley! So here is my opinion track by track of "Sapphire."

1) God Has Created...- judging strictly from the title I got a little worried that Smokey's recent turn to making gospel had rubbed off on Teena but lyriclly it's just an amazing tribute to love, and its power, to bring people together, gorgeous jazzy opening!

2)Cruise Control - Another song with Smokey, but with a different approach. The two lovers are showing their affection for each other, and the things they've given each other material and otherwise. The ending is a nice coda dealing with what'd they'd do for each other, from riding together in a drop top sporting a 'do rag, to dying for each other. Another powerful song!

3)Baby, Who's Is It? - This song would be at home on any urban radio channel. Features a mellow rap from Kurupt. This track has yet another story of love, moreso lust for each other, and how good getting it on will be...

4)Make It Hot - Smokin' hot. Opens with a weed reference, which I just knew would show up again, as it did on La Dona, but we all knew Teena was gonna bring the heat, and be unappologetic about her favorite herbal refreshment! This song is great too, mixing innuendo with a club beat. Excellent versatility shown here.

5)Ooh Wee - First single that harkens back to a simpler sound, about old school love. Great first single and features another solid appearance from Kurupt

6)Sleeping with the Enemy - The suspected cheater song! humorous and sexy in one instance. Refreshing to hear a girl say if you can do it so can I! Great song.

7)A.P.B. - My favorite slow jam period! Smooth and has a different sound than most slow stuff on records now. Has a few psychadelic lyrics here, talking about being Love Twins and stuff. Really pretty and has great guitar work too!

8)Love Is A Gangsta - The reviewer who covered this for AllMusic.com got it right on when he said this catches Marie in her element...creating ridin' music with enough screechy keyboards to make Nate Dogg feel at home. Excellent song about love being as raw, rough and tough as your friendly neigborhood Gangster! Excellent song.

9)Ladie's Choice - The best song on the record. It is like "The Mackin' Game" on La Dona, but with different rappers, and not about sex. Just a friendly dance at a club, trying to find the man of their lives. Great rap flows from her "Daughters" Gail Gotti and Queen.

10)Somebody Just Like You - the first of two songs meant to be dedicated to Rick James. Kind of a jazzy tune that features Gerald Albright. This one is pretty and drenched with love lorn sentiments.

11)You Blow Me Away - This one is a tearjerker. While the previous track hinted at Teena and Ricks love for each other, this one is a full on in your face heart tugging confession. She says it at the end...I Love You Rick...There, I've said it. Amazing.

12)Simmer Down - Features Lady Levi just like Passion Play and La Dona did. This one is a mellow song. You can just see this played out on a beach somewhere...Really nicely done.

13)Romantica - My second favorite ballad. This one has some amazing vocal acrobatics, and a lovely melody. Nothing more to say but wow.

14)The Way You Love Me - Another sexy tune. Someone who's 50 is sure feeling very very sexy. This one just proves that. Getting older doesn't mean you dry up you know?! :)

15)Ecstasy - And yet another sexy tune. Same goes for this as what I said about track 14.

16)Resilient (Sapphire) - A beautiful dedication to Katrina survivors, that has a beautiful acoustic opening, heartbreaking lyrics and an amazing cameo from Daughter Alia Rose. She's going to make it someday, believe me.

Overall this is an improvement over La Dona which I think is an amazing record. Sapphire just mellows out what was presented on La Dona, gives a little more classy sheen, and sexiness. If she keeps going at this pace, she will have a really impressive groundbreaking comeback period. The two albums of the 2000's are proving it to be true! Get this one! More than Recommended.

A COMPLETE RETURN TO FORM FOR LADY TEE ON HER NEW ALBUM 'SAPPHIRE'. FULLY EQUIPPED WITH A 6.6 RICHTER SCALE VIBRATO THAT COULD PART THE RED SEA OR ROCK THE EARTH'S CORE, MARIE'S VOICE IS OF EPIC BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS, AND IN TIP TOP CONDITION.THE SUPREME EXCELLENCE OF MS. MARIE'S EXPRESSIVE VOICE COULD TEACH EVEN THE MOST TALENTED OF VOCALISTS THE ART OF DELIVERING A LYRIC WITH SINCERITY AND MEANING: THE LIKES OF ALICIA KEYS, MARIAH AND BEYONCE HAVE ALL OBVIOUSLY BEEN STUDYING THIS MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST, IN-DEPTH!.

THIS IS VINTAGE TEENA WITH A FEW FORMIDABLE MODERN LICKS THROWN IN FOR YOUNGER FANS. 'SAPPHIRE' ALSO SEES THE WELCOME RETURN OF LONGTIME VETERAN BACKGROUND VOCALISTS MAXINE AND JULIA WATERS AND A FULLY ARRANGED ORCHESTRA THAT SEND YOU BACK TO THE DAYS OF 'CASSANOVA BROWN', 'DEAR LOVER' AND 'MY DEAR MR. GAYE'. THIS IS MOST EVIDENT ON TWO OF HER TRIBUTE SONGS TO RICK JAMES, 'YOU BLOW ME AWAY' AND 'ROMANTICA'. 'ROMANTICA', LADENED WITH DRAMATIC SWOONING STRINGS, CONJURES UP IMAGES OF VAST ANDALUCIAN AND RUSSIAN LANDSCAPES. 'LOVE IS A GANGSTA' IS SOPHISTICATED AND CLASSY R&B AT ITS VERY BEST, COMPLETE WITH WAH WAH RARE GROOVE GUITAR LICKS AND SUPERB METAPHORS ("LOVE IS THE VALENTINE'S MASSACRE GANGSTA/IT'S A MACHINE GUN IN A VIOLIN CASE/A BOOTLEGGED LIQUORED UP GANGSTA"). 'MAKE IT HOT' IS A SLICE OF PURE EIGHTIES FUNK, THE KIND OF FUNK THAT PHARRELL WILLIAMS HAS BEEN SO INSPIRED BY: GENIUS BASS LINES, COWBELLS AND A KEY CHANGE IN THE BRIDGE TO DIE FOR. MARIE HAS MANAGED ONCE AGAIN TO SCORE CATCHY MELODIES THAT DEMAND YOUR ATTENTION.

THIS ALBUM WAY SURPASSES 'LA DONA', AND TEENA'S WRITING AND ARRANGEMENTS HAVE A DISTINCTION AND A SYNCOPATION THAT PUT HER WAY AHEAD OF HER PEERS. MARIE'S IDIOSYNCRATIC MUSICIANSHIP HAS ENSURED HER A LOYAL FAN BASE FOR THE BEST PART OF 30 YEARS: ALLOWING HER TO MAINTAIN LONGEVITY IN A MERCURICAL INDUSTRY, WHERE MANY OTHERS COULDN'T. CHECK OUT HER DAUGHTER, ALIA ROSE ON 'RESILIENT (SAPPHIRE)'. ALIA BRINGS TO MIND THE ADOLESCENT MATURITY THAT STACY LATTISAW USED TO DISLPAY ON HER EARLIER ALBUMS. SHE HAS HER MOTHER'S PIPES IN THE MAKING, THAT'S FOR SURE.
WELL DONE TEENA...ON ALL FRONTS!

THE GOLDEN NUGGETS ARE:

YOU BLOW ME AWAY
SOMEBODY JUST LIKE YOU
ROMANTICA
LOVE IS A GANGSTA
RESILIENT (SAPPHIRE)
GOD HAS CREATED
THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
CRUISE CONTROL
MAKE IT HOT
LADIES CHOICE

All I can say is "This is her best CD EVER"........
I love every track on this CD and I feel every one of them could be released and be a number one hit!!!! You just need to put this CD on and let it play over and over and over and you will understand why I say it is her best ever!!! I am soon to be 47yrs old on Monday and I have "all" of her music. Girlfriend is just showing us that age ain't nothin' but a number...

My favs are:
You Blow Me Away************
God Created(You for me to love) this one is too short
Somebody Just Like You*****
Ooh Weee*****
Make It Hot (make me want to go back to the club)*********
Ecstasy
A.P.B.
Resilient(sung with her daughter)
Romantica
The Way You Love Me
Sleeping with the enemy
Cruise Control

You must buy this CD!!!! Lady T, you've still got it! Rick is truly smiling down on you. I know you loved that man!!!! I can relate. There is always one man that you just can't shake and I think Rick is it for Lady T.

This CD is worth every penny
I recommend everyone to get a copy of it. It will satisfy all different kinds of music lovers.

If you are a Teena Marie fan, you will LOVE this CD. It's mature, but not "old". If you are not a Teena Marie fan, you will become one. The music samples a lot of different genres and her voice is as always, excellent!

Wow! I am a major Teena Marie fan, having first discovered her with the "Ivory" album when I was a teen. "Sapphire" proves that she is amazingly still at the top of her game! It just blows me away that a 50-year-old woman is keepin' it THiS REAL! Teena is a sistah from head to toe. This CD is the perfect brownbaby-making love suite from start to finish. She teams up with Smokey on the fab "Cruise Control", which is like a cross between Smokey's "Cruisin'", Marvin's "After The Dance", with a touch of gangsta to add spice.

Fave cuts: "Make It Hot", "Cruise Control", "A.P.B. (All Points Bulletin)" -- that one is sexy as h*ll, "Ooh Wee", "Love Is A Gangsta" -- shoot, I love em all!

And she closes with the poignant, beautifull, hymn-like "Resilient (Sapphire)", which is a duet with her babygirl Alia Rose, who is destined to become a diva in her own right.

Teena deserves to be showered with all sorts of awards just for that one song alone. We hardcore fans already knew that she was one of the all-time greats, and a REAL MUSICIAN thank you, but it is wonderful to know that after such a long time without a record deal, she is GETTING HER PROPS big time. You go Lady T, we love you.