Customer Reviews

Skin

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

...He had lived long enough to fully realize his potential? While "Skin" is a positively flawless collection, one can't help but wonder what might have been. Released almost a decade ago but still sounding and feeling like it came out yesterday, Ephraim Lewis' sole LP is just overflowing with gorgeous singing (his voice was technically impeccable) that avoids the useless histrionics so many young black vocalists rely on, beautiful melodies, simple but finely crafted arrangements and a wealth of live instruments. The title track is a subtle commentary on race, celebrity status and personal insecurity ('is my skin just a veil I'm wearing, protect me from the world?') that falls into no particular genre' comfortably, it's just plain good music. "It Can't Be Forever" is a hypnotic, almost spoken-word, ambient track set to an old James Brown sample that speaks of perserverance and strength, but doesn't come across as preachy ('hold your head up higher and have no fear of being wrong')and wafts into the album's only hit, the smooth jazz staple "Drowning In Your Eyes", one of the prettiest love songs ever recorded. Featuring the sweet trumpet of Chris Bachelor, "Drowning..." is a classic. My personal fave, "Mortal Seed" has one of the baddest basslines on the album (the other is on "Sad Song" which is just that) and even has a wicked bi-phase guitar solo that swoops over the song and drives it to a crescendo that doesn't let up until the track ends. The remainder of "Skin" is just as remarkable, "Summer Lightning", "Captured" (another stunning slow song with Lewis' aching tenor taking on traces of Marvin Gaye), the inspirational "Rule For Life" and the closer "Hold On" round out the LP on notes of hope and looking to the future that will uplift any listener. "Skin" is easily a classic, but seems to have gotten lost in the deluge of rap and grunge releases of the time. It's time to rediscover the genius of a man who's career was far too brief. R.I.P. Mr. Lewis.

I bought this CD back in '92 and played it constantly. It's beautiful, deep, luscious, and haunting sound had me hooked. I only recently pulled it out to listen again and realized what has been missing from today's music. Everyone must have a copy of this CD for their collection. It is beyond music! Put it on, close your eyes and EXPERIENCE it. ALL other R&B male singers/songwriters PALE in comparison. He was talent and his music, substance. I am inconsolable!

Ephraim Lewis died at the age of 26, leaving us with his sole album "Skin". Details of his death are arguable at best, but it was ruled a suicide. We may never know exactly why he died, but "Skin" managed to move rhythm and blues to a new level. Often compared with Seal, Lewis had his own sound--just listen to the title track, "It Can't Be Forever", "Drowning In Your Eyes" and "Mortal Seed" and you will hear such great potential.

This was just a sad case of an untimely departure. In a way, I'm glad Seal is still around just to carry the torch for this neo-r&b approach to music which eventually led to the likes of Macy Gray and India.Arie.

I purchased this cd when it was released in '92 because I had heard "It Can't Be Forever" on the radio and loved it immediately. I was glad to hear all of the other wonderful songs on the album, especially "Sad Song" and "Skin". The music has a smooth and refined way about it and many of the lyrics are deep and meaningful. Sad Song's haunting phrase 'don't let life pass you by' made me listen seriously rather than just get carried away by the nice beat. "Drowning in your eyes" and "Captured" are wonderful love songs that don't manage to be sappy. I played the cd non-stop for quite some time then and even now consider it to be one of my few all-time favorites. It makes me sad now to find out upon reading the June 98 reviewer's comments about the reason why there were never any other releases by this artist, for which I searched for many times over the years. In short, I highly recommend this cd.

I have to agree with all of the other reviews on this album - it's definitely one of the few in my collection that sound as good today as it did when I bought it back in '92. I heard "Drowning In Your Eyes" and had to find out who the artist was. Ephraim had a beautiful voice and his lyrics and music all combined to make this album one that can't be categorized. It's a shame that there will be no more music from this talented artist but at least "Skin" will stand the test of time.

A just-about perfect album, and criminally overlooked. The music alone puts this in my personal top 10, even if he had been singing words out of the phone book. The depth to the lyrics puts this up there with the more spiritual (and political) R+B albums of the 90's.

I originally bought this CD back in the summer of '92 after hearing "It Can't Be Forever",it immediately became one of my favorite albums and a very well used one in my collection.As the years go on new things push the playing back some to where I only heard it for a period at a time once or twice a year and when it played on muzak systems in grocery stores and such(I would of course talk to people about it when it played).I have always looked to see if further releases had come out but always nothing.I recently got another cd that reminded me of this one(Darius Rucker)and it made me pull this one out and keep it with me.I came on to this site to see if anything had gotten by my store searches and I was very saddened to hear the loss of such a wonderful artist in a early stage of greatness. Had this album came out a few years before or after '92 it would not have been overlooked as it did in a rock and rap world of the early 90's.This album is a timeless and priceless piece of art,the almost spiritual words hold true today as they did then and will tomorrow.Another review likened him to Marvin Gaye,in my opinion Marvin Gaye is on a higher ground than Mr Lewis,but had he not passed he would have reached that level of greatness.

Need new language to describe it. Just thought i'd use the word 'everything'. Since day 1, this cd has managed to bring a variety of responses... playful, happy, the warmth of being loved, alone-ness, invincible-ness, etc. My wife says use the word 'painful' meaning when I sing Summer Lightning in the shower:-) Drowning in your eyes is my theme song for my beloved bride. That cd (Skin) & I made many trips to D.C. while dating. Rest assured though, I didn't copy lyrics and use them on my wife. Ok, i thought about it. Ok, a couple of times. Anyway, I think Ephraim and the the team made the perfect cd! This music will be in my head for the rest of my life. Thank goodness. 10 stars, a round of snaps, 2 thumbs up, peach melba, the beach at night, other stuff that makes life nice,... all that and a bag of chips.
jp

Forget the attempts at describing the genre, be it soul, R&B, jazz, pop--whatever--this is simply music at its best. Yes, there are shades of Seal, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, and others, but Lewis was a true original. The melodies, the arrangements, the lyrics--all completely captivating. Smooth, yet powerful. One of my all time highest recommendations. I am deeply saddened there will be no more from this great artist. This album was his one and only, so buy it and drink from it often. It will get under your skin....

I have been turning people on to this album since 92. Probably sold hundreds myself. I checked from time to time for a follow-up. Figures something terrible would have to happen to stop this fantastic musician. Each time I listen I think of being 18 again. I guess we both stopped in time. Buy this and give it to someone. They will love you for it.