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Editorial Reviews
Critically acclaimed vocalist and song stylist Lalah Hathaway continues her musical legacy with her Stax Records 2008 debut Self portrait, a contemporary urban soul collection that takes one on an introspective journey into the contemporary adult R&B world. Self Portrait will truly satisfy Lalah's core fans,and is so refreshing that it will guarantee her new fans as well! The album features special guests Marcus Miller, Joe Sample and Rahsaan Patterson. Lalah is the daughter of the famed Soul artist Donny Hathaway and she has sold nearly half a million CDs in her career. This project reunites Lalah with noted producer Rex Rideout, who also produced her recent #1 single "Forever, for always, for love". "Lalah continues to fortify her legacy as a modern day vocal priestess. This album is her most personal, laden with severe emotional voodoo and sublime passion.'- Garth Trinidiad, host of KCRW's "Chocolate City".
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Lalah Hathaway breathes fresh air into the regenerated Stax label with what is possibly her best album to date. It's definitely my favourite already. If you're anything like me, and you wonder where all the good music has gone, aghast at the ever-increasing paucity of deep meaningful soul and the ever-increasing dominance of superficial, gimmicky R&B, then this CD might reassure you. Lalah's lineage is not only clear in her warm vocal tone, style and phrasing but also in the kind of music she chooses to make. Donny would undoubtedly be proud.
Hathaway writes a great deal of the album herself (with co-writing credits mainly going to her producers) and Rex Rideout, who had critical success last year with Ledisi's Lost & Found, takes care of the majority of the production work. He and Hathway had worked together before but not to this extent. Hathaway herself takes up the rest of the production with help from Kenneth Crouch, Terrace Martin, Paula Gallitano and Manuel Hugas & Wiboud Burkens.
The album kicks off with the obviously radio-intended "let go", co-written and featuring vocals by my man Rahsaan Patterson and while a pleasant enough mid-tempo head-nodder (though personally I could have done without the vocoder), the song only hints at the magic to be found within the album. My personal favourites include the smooth jazz-influenced ballads "on your own", "for always", "that was then", "learning to swim" (which features fretless bass by Marcus Miller, no less), "little girl", (which actually contains the spoken voice of the great man himself; an interview excerpt from the album These Songs for You, Live!), "what goes around" and the brilliant album closer, "tragic inevitability".
Noteworthy if not a firm favourite right now, is "1 mile". It also sounds like it might have radio in mind. It certainly has a definite hip-hop/r&b edge and contains a rap I thought was by Andre 3000 when I first heard it but is actually by a dude called Andre Edwards aka "Bokie".
This is definitely high quality music - in my opinion of course - with deep, steamy bass lines and jazzy keyboard chords, and I say a huge thank you to Lalah Hathaway for giving us something decent to listen to for a change. Decidedly recommended.
Also highly recommended: 2004's Outrun the Sky, 1999's The Song Lives On (with Joe Sample) and even 1990's Lalah Hathaway. For me, the Gary Taylor ballad "i'm coming back" and the Angela Winbush one, "i gotta move on" are worth the price of that last CD I mentioned, all on their own.
Hathaway writes a great deal of the album herself (with co-writing credits mainly going to her producers) and Rex Rideout, who had critical success last year with Ledisi's Lost & Found, takes care of the majority of the production work. He and Hathway had worked together before but not to this extent. Hathaway herself takes up the rest of the production with help from Kenneth Crouch, Terrace Martin, Paula Gallitano and Manuel Hugas & Wiboud Burkens.
The album kicks off with the obviously radio-intended "let go", co-written and featuring vocals by my man Rahsaan Patterson and while a pleasant enough mid-tempo head-nodder (though personally I could have done without the vocoder), the song only hints at the magic to be found within the album. My personal favourites include the smooth jazz-influenced ballads "on your own", "for always", "that was then", "learning to swim" (which features fretless bass by Marcus Miller, no less), "little girl", (which actually contains the spoken voice of the great man himself; an interview excerpt from the album These Songs for You, Live!), "what goes around" and the brilliant album closer, "tragic inevitability".
Noteworthy if not a firm favourite right now, is "1 mile". It also sounds like it might have radio in mind. It certainly has a definite hip-hop/r&b edge and contains a rap I thought was by Andre 3000 when I first heard it but is actually by a dude called Andre Edwards aka "Bokie".
This is definitely high quality music - in my opinion of course - with deep, steamy bass lines and jazzy keyboard chords, and I say a huge thank you to Lalah Hathaway for giving us something decent to listen to for a change. Decidedly recommended.
Also highly recommended: 2004's Outrun the Sky, 1999's The Song Lives On (with Joe Sample) and even 1990's Lalah Hathaway. For me, the Gary Taylor ballad "i'm coming back" and the Angela Winbush one, "i gotta move on" are worth the price of that last CD I mentioned, all on their own.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
While Lalah has indeed evolved into her own as an artist, obvious and unavoidable comparisons to her famous dad are inevitable, especially by those of us intimately aware of his treasure trove of work....the timbres of their voices are oh so similar and in many cases are a painful reminder of the awesome talent that was Donny Hathaway, who left us entirely too early. Nonetheless, this is indeed a mature set allowing Lalah to show off her simply woooooooonderful vocal skills/acuity. Thankfully, it is not a cheap attempt to grab a hip-hop/now audience, thus trashing a beautiful instrument...it is appropriately marketed to grown folks. Nice, smooth, arrangements make Lalah's latest project refreshing and satisfying. ("Breathe' is definitely a highlight)
Hiiiiiiighly recommended!
Hiiiiiiighly recommended!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
One of the most outstanding things about Lalah Hathaway, is her ability to transit a melody to a destination that's by far exciting and unique!
Her phraseology is incomparable and her delivery is spell bounding...when it comes to carrying a tune, she owns it once she's placed her stamp on it!
Her level of musicianship is beyond measure!
and deserves much attention.
I only anticipate as everyone one else her upcoming offering!
It is sure to be nothing short of amazement and wonder...
But don't just take it from me, see for yourself and get the record!
D. Patterson
Her phraseology is incomparable and her delivery is spell bounding...when it comes to carrying a tune, she owns it once she's placed her stamp on it!
Her level of musicianship is beyond measure!
and deserves much attention.
I only anticipate as everyone one else her upcoming offering!
It is sure to be nothing short of amazement and wonder...
But don't just take it from me, see for yourself and get the record!
D. Patterson
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
B e a u t i f u l ............
I remember my love and fascination over the song "Heaven Only Knows" two decades ago... I have been a dedicated fan ever since. Read more
Published 2 months ago by K. Moses
3.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful Voice
Lalah has a lovely voice that you cannot deny and try to act like its not good. This girl can blow and should be marketed better
Published 3 months ago by oof
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love It
her smooth vocals gives way to one of my favorite albums of all time, powerful, classic, definitely follows in her dad's footsteps
Published 4 months ago by Kem
5.0 out of 5 stars
Soulful
Her music is soulful and her voice is soothing and relaxing. Her music is meaningful for any life situation and I really enjoy her music as I do her father's music.
Published 4 months ago by Andrea Motley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lalah Hathaway's Self Portrait
This Lady does it for me. I mean she can really sing, with her heart, soul and gives everything she got. She never forgets where she came from or where she's going. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Darkhog1
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love, Love, Love
This album is amazing, this artist has a voice of an angel. Album is indeed a must have in your collection!
Published 4 months ago by Ms. Pisces30
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you don't have this, you need to get this!!
No matter what type of music you to, Lalah Hathaway's Self Portrait should be in your collection. It has so many dynamics it's hard to name them all. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Ms. H
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great album
I enjoyed every song on this album. This has some some rhythms and great lyrics. I love that it is a totally laid back album. If you enjoy smooth jazzy music you'll like this.
Published 6 months ago by Marjorie Harris
1.0 out of 5 stars
Once liked her, can't recall why now
This album was a disappointment, must be nice to produce an album that you will not be commercial or appeal to your fans of what got you started.
Published 8 months ago by JON WATSON
5.0 out of 5 stars
Neo-Soul <3
I love this CD, a must have for laid back Adult Music. I would recommend for time alone with your significant other.
Published 16 months ago by Akima S. Jones
Listmania!
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