Customer Reviews

Sex Cymbal

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sex Cymbal is by far Sheila E.'s most pop-accessible and artistically sensible project to date...Where the Glamorous Life and Romance 1600 had Prince's production signature and musical influence throughout, Sex Cymbal showcases Sheila's own artistic control and freedom...While Sheila's vocal ability may be on the light side she still manages to hold her own on each track.She is truly a more gifted musician than vocalist, but hey, give the lady plenty of credit for just doing it...On this 1991 project she managed to seamlessly and effortlessly delve into r&b, funk, hip-hop, Latin, light rock,even a Chrisitan flavored tune dedicated to the Virgin Mary (everything except for country and heavy metal)!

Most favorable tracks on this set are the re-make of Labelle's Lady Marmalade (hip hop jazzy style), 808 Kate (frenetic drum solo shows off Sheila's chops), Loverboy (the only track to have an early Prince influence), Mother Mary (soft religious overtones), Whatcha Gonna Do and Private Party (both Latin influenced tracks pay an homage to Sheila's dad's (Pete Escovedo)early 70's Latin-funk band Azteca).

For the pop masses this is the best Sheila E. title to own. Sheila's first 3 projects were purely Prince/Paisley Park driven. Her latest efforts and artistic direction have favored a more pop jazz sound. Sex Cymbal is the happy medium....

This Sheila E. collection is the greatest album she has to date. The funky "Sex Cymbal"(the remixes are funkier if you can find them)to the latin tinged "Droppin' Like Flies". My two favorites are "Cry Baby" and "Mother Mary" with Miss E. giving it up to the Virgin Mother. The song, "Heaven" was a total, but good suprise. I wish I could have been in the studio to see Sheila's family cut the short "Family Affair", a brief "glimpse" into what it may have been like in the Escovedo household. I sent this CD to a friend in Columbia and she is now a Sheila E. fan. With the help of Sheila's brother, Peter Michael, they turned out a great album. Highly recommended. I love you Sheila E.!

This is my favorite Sheila E album from her pop(Glamorous)days. Sex cymbal adresses the issues celebrities face by being in the limelight. The remake of Labelle's "Lady Marmalade" is too funky for words and songs like "Funky Attitude" keep you dancing along with the latin rythms and drum solo. The ballad "promise me love" is out of sight if the rest of the album was garbage it wouldn't matter because this song is priceless. Her vocals are clear as glass and the message in the song is beautiful. A must have for any true fan.

Another great effort from Sheila E. "Sex Cymbal", "Funky Attitude","Crybaby","Loverboy", and even the remake of "Lady Marmalade" were crucial songs on this lp. Sheila doesnt try to match patti's versions intensity. she does it in a more jazzy way to fit her vocals which is a plus! by the end of the song you picture yourself jamming at the bayou in lousiana with jambalaya and dirty rice! too bad she had fallen ill at the release of this great lp.

Probably her most underrated effort to date due to illness & the inability to properly promote it. It was completely lost on the radio powers-that-be at it's release despite the lauding by critics. This cd is full of everything pop music was all about in 1991. Although a bit heavy in it's commercial sound, it had a little hip-hop, some latin flavor, some r&b & loads of funky pop. Stand-out tracks include: Sex Cymbal, Funky Attitude, Whatcha Gonna Do, Cry Baby, Mother Mary & Promise Me Love (which reminds you invariably of Natalie Cole's "Inseperable"). Sheila also took a stab at LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" which she's done well live but unfortunately this version was not live. This was her last pop album before she went back to doing jazz & it was a good effort unfortunately falling on deaf ears.

Can't believe that this cd went no where. One of the most underrated collections I've heard. I remember Shelia doing a couple of songs off of this CD on the Arsenio Hall show, she totally rocked the house.

I like Sheila E. -- But, long story short, this is not her finest work. It's good, and proficient, and has a lot of funk and fun, but it's just sort of flat in parts. It doesn't MOVE like her previous albums did.

I do like the little gag at the beginning of the album, though. Very cute, Sheila.

I love this CD. Sheila E. is one of the best, if not the best, drummers around today. Her remake of Lady Marmalade is outstanding. She really turns up the funk on Droppin Like Flies, Funky Attitude and Heaven. This is a must have for any Sheila E. fan.

When I want funk that I can't get without having to suffer through the mindless drivel not so cleverly disguised as rap or hip hop lyrics, I reach for Sex Cymbal. The above reveiw of Sex Cymbal is far from favorable. The problem with critics is that they are just as opinionated as the rest of us. Music truly is subjective and all our opinions are relative but to write a reveiw of this album and not mention the absolute off the chart funk-factor in tracks like "Droppin' Like Flies" and "Heaven" tells me someone doesn't get it. No wonder this album is one of a kind! Ask some "critics" what's funky and they'll give you old Motown. ?? Great music but c'mon so is Bach. Old anything doesn't begin to compare with modern day talent as far as ability, arrangement and production quality. Robert Johnson was great but "better" than Stevie Ray Vaughn or Kenny Wayne Shepherd? No way. In like manner, funk players have "evolved" and have simply made the music much better. Sheila's remake of "Lady Marmalade" is case and point. If I was you, I would not only buy "Sex Cymbal" but if you have to, trade a favorite part of your anatomy for it!!!

I have adored Shelia E since her debut song "Glamourous Life". She played the hell out of those percussions. While I didn't like her sophmore album when this album was released there were 4 songs which were a must have! Thank God for Amazon because I didn't think I would be able to find this album anywhere.