Customer Reviews

Stranger on Earth

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I first heard of Lina in February when the buzz was surrounding her on The Box in the U.K. Her single "Playa No Mo" charted in the Top 30 i think but from what it seemed, she never gained too much stardom there. But now, its her chance in the U.S. With it, comes the release of her debut. Although this version does feature new songs, it is also missing some from the European Version.

Highlights in my opinion are her new song "It's Alright," "Playa No Mo," and "Batches." All incorporate Jazz styles popular during the first half of the twentieth century, plus r&b and hip hop. Great mixture leads to a great CD.

Lina did something with this album that will put her on a totally different path from other artists. People will automatically make comparisons to Eryka Badu but when you listen to her music and style that she used....you will see its all her own. She took 50's jazz and blues music and put a hip-hop twist to it to make something totally different to what is out now. Blu Cantrell has a similar style with that one song (OOps) but thats it. Songs like Batches, Playa no More, Bye Bye baby, stranger no more and It's aiight will have you playing this on repeat. She will probably get put into the neo soul category but I would put her by herself because she crossing old and new all in one. Anyone looking for somethign new in r+b soul should look no further than this new one from Lina.

Get it!

I first heard Lina on 106 & Park about two years ago. She had a new video called 'It's Alright'. The song was trill but I was skeptical about buying the album. Skip to 2002. I rented the movie entitled 'High Crimes' with AShley Judd and I was vibing to the song they was playing during the credits. And to my surprise it was 'I'm Not The Enemy' by Lina. I IMMEDIATELY downloaded the song; the song is so great. Then I made it a point to get this album and am I so lucky that I did invest. Stranger On Earth provides an entertaining listen. It definitely has an old school vibe to it and is very laid back at times and fiesty at others. Unique. IF you like you some jazz music (Mr. Hip Hop where are you?), this albums right up your alley. Such a refreshing album.

Playa No Mo starts the album off right and in the words of Dick Vitale 'Its Sensational Baby". Step Up is a jazzy track and It Aint Me is the most contemporary sounding track. Don't Say Nothing is almost like a blues song and God Loves Me reincorporates that nice lil Jazz thang goin on. Batches is another gem. Bye Bye Baby is easily one of the best songs on the album...just listen to it...can't be explained. This song is followed by the AMAZING Waiting...so beautiful. The title track is more of what I like to hear. The only song I didn't care for was Watch Your Mouth.

This album was and still is a breath of fresh air. Unique style and definitely different from anything you will hear in today's music business. Her sense of style makes me want to marry her. Good job Lina. An underated soulful Masterpiece.

WOW!!!! is all I could say about this Album!! Even though i just discovered this album 5-16-02,(I regret finding it sooo late)I Really LOVE This Work from the past! She Crossed Boundaries NOBODY has ever attempted before. Most so called
"neosoul" singers draw Inspiration from the soul giants and beats of the 60s and 70s. Her creative and specially blended
beats combine the popular jams and hits of the 20s and 30s and
make you want to fall in love with its brillance and marvel at her uniquely unprecedented style. Even though her words are a bit too real for some, her talent of rhetoric and of acoustic excellence prevails. If you like Pru, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, or others of this "genre", and like the blend of old and new beats combined with a seductively beautiful voice crafting such tunes together in one accord, youll HAVE to buy this CD!!!!!
Favorite Songs: Playa No Mo', Bye Bye Baby, Stranger on earth, Doodlin'(bonus),Im not the Enemy, Dont Say Nothin', Its Alright, Batches,(WOW, thats nearly all the songs!!) you get the point..... YOU WONT BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!

I was in Tower records one day not really looking for any cd in particular just passing time before a movie. I was intrigued by the cover purchased the cd and my life has never been the same. I went back to purchased another one...because i was afraid to take it out of my car cd changer,I didn't want to forget and leave it in the house and vice versa. This album "Stranger on Earth" is hands down the most incredible album I have ever heard. It's everything good music should be, she's beautiful and her voice is beautiful, great lyrics! great music! It's too good to be true! It's a life changer she's gonna be big!!!!

I bought Lina's "Stranger On Earth" with only having seen the end of her "I't Ain't Me" video once. But I heard so many good things, I went to pick it up.

I'm glad I did! Just like with other under-rated, one-name, seemingly media ignored, up & coming recording artists like Kelis and Mystic, I found one of the most unique and enjoyable albums in quite some time.

Her sound is hot. It's Hip Hop meets Jazz; Swing meets Soul; Dixieland meets Trip Hop. Her voice and her sound remind Me of Josephine Baker, Memphis Minnie, Lil Johnson, Zhané, Gwen Stefani, Trina, Olivia, and Lil' Mo. She is like Erykah Badu on a Neptunes tip.

My stand-out favorite was "Watch Your Mouth (baby blue)". The hook is a b-girl feminist anthem that needs to be heard. Also "I'm Not the Enemy"'s "U can't love nobody unless U love yourself" are refreshingly insightful lyrics in an industry stuck on "bling-bling" and "boottee".

The album has 12 tracks, and the last one contains 2 bonus songs, an untitled ditty about "doodling" and a remix of "It's Alright" with the unmistakable MC flow of Guru (of GangStarr fame). It is no doubt worth your time and money. Support quality music: GET LINA'S ALBUM!!!

I FIRST HEARD LINA WHILE WATCHING A MOVIE. I WAS SO IMPRESSED I WATCHED THE CREDITS TO GET HER NAME AND THEN WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF SHE HAD A CD. THOUGH SHE HAS MANY INFLUENCES SHE HAS HER OWN SOUND, AND SHE CAN SING. THE LYRICS ARE SOULFUL AND REAL.
GOOD, GOOD MUSIC.

I love this CD because it's so different than other R&B artists (She raps too!). If you love this CD but want remixes, don't worry, it has bonus remixes at the end of CD ([what's bad] is that they really are hidden & you have to wait about 2min. after Stranger on Earth (last song) for it to play (ft. a It's alright remix & another unnamed bonus track!

Lina is an eclectic mix of R&B, big band and what is now being called "Neo Soul." She is is good choice for people who have had it with cookie-cutter pop music and want something more diverse to listen to. She has incredible range and her voice goes through myriad incarnations throughout the CD. On some tracks she is reminiscent of Nina Simone, on others, of Billie Holiday. This CD makes you sway on one track and snap your neck on others from the strong bass lines under her vocals. Give it a shot.

I first saw Lina on a local news program, about 2 years ago, and after hearing her sing I went to every record store imaginable looking for her cd. Unfortunately, it was not being released at the time she stated on tv. When I listen to her music, its like a breath of fresh air. She definitely stands out of the crowd (of "I miss you, don't wanna cry, I need you, you don't love me" wailers!) Her vibe is strong, you can chill to this music. (you know that feeling you get when you hear a song that reminds you of riding in your car in the summer) I highly recommend Lina to those who enjoy a different kind of sound. One who isn't afraid to try something new and different. She is a breath of fresh air. She blends the 20's/30's with hip-hop and jazz. I love it.