Customer Reviews

Strange Flower

5 star:		(60)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been a close follower of the Naked Music label for over two years, so when I came across Aya's release, I had to run and get it. I really liked her in the deep-house project Blue Six, and thought she did a decent job as one of the vocalists in Sweetback's otherwise flawed second LP. Those who are familiar with their work as well as Aquanote (another act on the Naked Music label) will find little to find fault with when they check out "Strange Flower." This is a disc of unpretentious r&b with a few subtle touches of jazz; the skillful production smartly works around Aya's voice, which is somewhat limited in range but is otherwise appealing. "Uptown" and "You're Not the Only One" best represent the disc's overall laidback vibe, and the same can be said for "Put Your Faith in Us" and "Do What You Want." It's been a while since we've heard anything from this label, but Aya comes out strong with a fine record that doesn't disappoint.

I'm soon opening a contemporary restaurant in Santa Barbara, and so I've been trolling around for high quality ambient music...Aya, and this CD "Strange Flower" certainly count as that. Sumptuous lyrics, non-offensive percussion, and intelligently patterned rhythm, combine to create a near-perfect ambient album.

For those who love this CD and are looking for something similar, consider the following artists:

Blue 6 - probably my favorite album of the year (they only made one)

Caia - appeared on zero 7's album. swedish (i think), and has one of the most unique of voices

Nude Dimensions,

Projections, and,

Miguel Migs

All ambient; all excellent.

Enjoy,

Christian Hunter
Santa Barbara, California

This is the kind of sound I have been looking for years now. I love music that has this kind of laid back sexy feel to it. I think she is better than Amel. I hope Aya don't change her sound just to please the mainstream.

If you want a cd that is nice that you can play when you are not feeling anything to upbeat this is for you. The sound is awesome. A must have for any major music fan.

Greetings,
Now this is music. Aya does a fantastic job of pulling you in and once she does your hooked. The beats and vocals are amazing. I am really impressed. I will be on the look out for more of the "Flower."

Play her while you are in the tub, entertaining company, in the car, or making love.

Enjoy!

Aya's Strange Flower has been a wonderful surprise. I was first turned on to Blue Six's Jay Denes about two years ago and can't seem to get enough of all the music in the Naked Music Label. Aya was just frosting on the cake. This album is highly recommended. She has a beautiful, sensual voice and Jay Denes' cooled out grooves just send you reeling into another realm. I recently heard "Nobody Knows Me" in a store at the mall. This Cd is going to blow up! I absolutely love it.

Where did this album come from? I didnt know Aya was working on a full lenth cd. All You hear about is Lisa Shaw's cd that been in the making for over 3 years now but anyway. This cd is one of the best ive heard this year. I've always loved her airy voice since the first time i head Sweeter Love. She doesnt have apowerhouse voice which is fine by me but the girl has talent. She plays intruments and writes..that's what i look for in talent. Jay put his magic touch on these songs along with her words what more could you ask for. I listen to the entire disc but ...Slippin..Never give in..and Do what you want, just put me in a trance. This album wont dissapoint in the least.

What an amazing album! She is truly a gifted artist and I hope she continues to stay away from the gimmicky major labels. She and her team have created a timeless classic! I can't imagine a better production team (Blue Six) to back up her sweet voice.

My only gripe is that I had to order this album EVEN though I live in a major city (DC)! You would think that a sound this fresh and innovative would be available everywhere for purchase!

Naked Music does it again...........

This one was about a 3.5 star listening experience for me. Better than average, to be sure, but nothing great either.

I love Naked Music - downtempo/ambient with a smooth and sexy female vocalist? I'm there! I was very excited to pick this one up, especially after reading all of the reviews posted here. While I am overall pretty happy with this, I must admit to slight disappointment. Aya's vocals are great and the production is slick without being too slick, but the album never quite picks up for me. It is great chillout, background music, but for active listening it just never engages my ear the way some other similar sounding albums have recently (Lisa Shaw's Cherry and Gaelle's Transient for example). I personally would have liked to hear some heavier house beats intergrated into some of the songs on this.

I would definitely recommend this to any OM or Naked Music fan, but might advise listening to it first. It's an unoffensive enjoyable listen but, for me, fades too quickly into the background to be memorable.

look, all i have to say is that since my brother bought this for my birthday four months ago, it has been spinning in my iPod and my cd player since....period

excellent music, excellent vibe, excellent sequence....

i sincerely appreciate hearing artists still doing their thing and contributing like this

AYA and crew stay doin' it!!

Once again Jay Denes has crafted a masterpiece with a singer who has a sweet sensual sound. I really don't understand the Sade comparison because they are NOTHING alike. Sade is a LEGEND & Aya just has her own sound, so the comparison does a disservice to either artist. This cd has Aya purring over each track, which is a hybrid of 70's-early 80's jazz fusion mixed with house elements to make some track danceable. I love the lyric content & that fact that Aya has complete control of her instrument unlike many singers who are popular who often try to imitate others who they are not even in the same vocal league. To me this is what makes Aya's voice effective because Aya is just doing Aya. This is a must have for fans of chill flavored music. I've Jay Denes (Blue Six) since I got into him a year ago & he has yet to disappoint me. Great work for both Aya & Jay, & hopefully more great projects like this in the future. Can't wait for Lisa Shaw's solo project.

peace,

gs08dew