Shine

Estelle | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B00142Q7H8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,268 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Award-winning British artist Estelle never got her just desserts for her 2004 debut album The 18th Day. Though the record was a critical success, it failed to make the mainstream splash many had hoped for. Her sophomore project, Shine, seems hell bent on avoiding the same fate. Backed up by a coterie of high profile US starlets--Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Kanye West--Shine has surefire commercial success written all over it; though that's not to say Estelle has sold out. Despite the high-impact American-style production, Shine remains reassuringly British. Estelle's West London twang is as sharp as ever, and even Kanye drops rhymes about "WAGS" and "London Boys" (see single "American Boy"). It's every bit as diverse as its predecessor too, featuring dancehall party jams ("Magnificent", produced by Mark Ronson and featuring Kardinal Offishall), the will.i.am produced "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" (which uses a twisted up sample from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You") to lovers' rock ("Come Over") and, of course, some love ballads too, such as "Substitute Lover", overseen by Wyclef. A solid all-round follow up, Shine should give Estelle the commercial success she deserves. --Danny McKenna

Product Description

ESTELLE SHINE

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Estelle and her armada of American boys... April 29, 2008

By Nse Ette TOP 1000 REVIEWER

Format:Audio CD

I became a fan of UK soul singer Estelle in 2004 after seeing the
video to her delightful hit single "1980" as well as the hit "Free",
which led me to get her brilliant debut CD "The 18th day" (reminiscent
of Lauryn Hill's debut). It was a nice blend of soul and hip hop, with
a British attitude. Unfortunately (as happens ever-so-often in the
music industry), the public didn't get it (the album stalled at #35 in
the UK) and she was dropped by her record label after two more singles
which barely registered with the public (no reflection on the music
though which was, as I stated, brilliant!). Fast forward to 2008 and
Estelle is back with a bang, though she had to cross the pond and arm
herself with an armada of behemoths like will.i.am, Wyclef, Mark
Ronson, Swizz Beatz, and John Legend (the latter who signed her to his
record label) to do it.

The result? A #1 smash in the UK with her breezy throbbing techno/hip
hop hit "American boy" (sampling will.i.am's "Impatient") featuring
Kanye West guest rapping about "wags" and "blokes" (and pronouncing
rubbish as "Roo-bish") while Estelle sings free-form in an upper
register. Thankfully, she does not lose her British attitude (which
shines through in her singing/rapping), thus saving "Shine" from
falling into the "anyone could have recorded it" pit.

At 12 tracks, the album is mercifully not over packed like most
(American) R&B albums tend to be. Sampling the verses of George
Michael's "Faith" is the brilliant guitar festooned "No substitute
love" with a slight Island carnival feel.... It sounds like something
Lauryn Hill or the Fugees would do, and is aptly produced by ex-Fugee
Wyclef, who also produces the similar hip hop-ish "So much out the
way" which lifts a few lines from Bob Marley's "So much things to
say". The retro sounding "In the rain" samples the chorus from Love
Unlimited's "Walking in the rain with the one I love" set to a hip hop
groove and complete with speeded up chipmunk vocals.

"Wait a minute (just a touch)" is a bouncy will.i.am production with a
very catchy hook (and a rapped message about thinking twice before
hopping in the sack; "Wrap it up 'cause I ain't carrying your embryo"
she says). This was actually the lead single which barely bothered the
charts unfortunately. Mr Legend himself lends his smooth vocals to the
Neo Soul ballad "You are", while Cee-Lo guests on the upbeat
Motown-ish "Pretty please (love me)" which sounds like something
Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell would have done. "More than friends" and
"Back in love" are both lovely retro soul ballads.

The Mark Ronson produced "Magnificent" is a reggae song as is the
lovely and sultry "Come over" (which is to be more precise, Lovers
Rock; I love the way she says "Baby" and the soothing Ooo ooos).
Appropriately proclaiming her inner strength and resilience
(lyrically) is the upbeat Swizz Beatz produced title track with clunky
percussion and a semi biographical rap, and I am glad Estelle has had
her second chance to indeed "Shine".

A thoroughly enjoyable menagerie of Soul, Pop, Hip hop and Reggae,
with Estelle flitting from singing to rapping with the greatest of
ease. The album debuted in the UK at #6. Sometimes, second time around
is the charm; just ask Amy Winehouse. Read more ›

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Amazing!!!! May 5, 2008

By Chantelle Bateman

Format:Audio CD

I work for a company that regularly recieves CDs from new and upcomming artist. Most aren't worth the shrink wrap and postage they came in, but by the third track of "Shine" I was ripping the CD to put it on my MP3 player. Estelle's voice and sound are reminiscent of Lauren Hill's "Miseducation" but it's certainly no copy cat. The LP is well produced and creates an incredible mix of generes (a little hip-hop, soul, jazz, and reggae). I got my copy for free, and I just bought one for a friend. Estelle is definitely soul sincere!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Estelle Shines July 23, 2008

By LT Twalo

Format:Audio CD

She had a hit called "1980" a few years back but I dismissed her as a one hit wonder and to be honest I wasn't blown away by her raps. When I heard she was working with John Legend I decided to sample it at the music store and realised that I had been completely wrong about her, she is a singer who raps not the other way around. More than that is that she has a beautiful voice.

When I heard the George Michael sample on "No Substitute Love" it was over, I had to get the album. The album is so nostalgic to me, I don't know if it is the samples e.g. Bob Marley on "So Much Out The Way" or it is the fact that she reminds me so much of Lauryn Hill.

The multitasking (rapping, writing & singing), the eclectic sounds (Reggae, Rock & Hip-hop influences) certainly justify comparisons to Lauryn Hill. But Estelle is her own woman. Her songs are not as heavy and are meant to be enjoyed without being taken too seriously.

The production on the album is top notch, not surprisingly given names like Will.I.Am, John Legend, Swiss Beatz & Mark Ronson. A criticism that might be levelled at the production is the over abundant use of samples but as stated earlier it adds to the nostalgia.

Overall the album is definitely a winner, the revolution of British soulstresses is in full swing. Estelle has something that the others ( Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Adele, Joss Stone etc.) do not have and that is a street sensibility and a light-heartedness.

Noteworthy tracks include the ballad "Come Over", "No Substitute Love" & the duet with Cee-Lo "Pretty Please", which sounds like a duet between Diana Ross & Aretha Franklin (Cee-Lo playing Aretha).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What?! May 12, 2008

By T. M. Wiggins

Format:Audio CD

I stumbled upon this sister right here one day two weeks ago and knew then no matter what the album had to be purchased. When a decision like that is made, it can be a major set up for disappointment. But, not in this case. I made my purchase the day after the album came out; made a copy for my Mom before I left NC to hit the road; hit the road and popped the CD in.

By the fourth song, I was letting my sister, cousin and two friends know this was a wise purchase they needed to make before the week was over--- scratch that--- before the day was over. My sister and cousin said it was on the list. By the time I got to GA, I had listened to the cd twice. By the time I got to Atlanta, I was putting the CD back in. By the next day my sister had it and had listened to it twice.

The album on a whole is very entertaining and enjoyable. It was a pleasure to listen to the different aspects of R&B, Hip Hop flavor and bit of ragga. Remember Lauren Hill's MisEducation album? Remember how hyped your were when to put it in (minus the classroom interludes)? Without fail, this is one of the better music purchases of today when the R&B, Hip Hop genres are trying to bounce back from the crappy music of the past decade. From start to finish, I was with Estelle, never realizing how fast 40min is and hitting repeat on the stereo. I want to say the cut with CeeLo is the best but if I listen to the album right now, I might change my mind again. I really like it all.

Enjoy your purchase.