Customer Reviews

Sweetback

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Apparently fans aren't the only ones getting tired of waiting for Sade to release another album: her band -keyboardist Andrew Hale, bassist Paul Denman, and guitar/sax man Stuart Matthewman, collectively redubbed Sweetback- decides to burn a little creative energy between Miss Adu's efforts, and the result is far more satisfying than you might expect. Instead of merely being an instrumental Sade record, "Sweetback" is an exciting foray into a world where lounge meets electronica, ending up in places a Sade record will never take you.

Of course, the boys are quite used to backing a singer, so there's no shortage of vocals onhand. Groove Theory alum Amel Larrieux lends some sexy, wordless vocals to the groovy etherealism of "Gaze," and offers a self-help lyric to "You Will Rise." Leroy Osbourne, frequent background vocalist for Sade (most notably on "Never as Good as the First Time" and "Nothing Can Come Between Us") makes the most of his time in the spotlight here on a stunning rendition of Bill Withers' "Hope She'll Be Happier," while rapper Bahamadia lays down a smooth spoken-word vibe on "Au Natural." And since Sweetback played a significant part of soul master Maxwell's debut, it's only natural he should lend a hand on the silky "Softly Softly," a song he co-wrote with Mathewman and offers the best elements of both Sweetback's and Maxwell's music.

But luckily, Sweetback doesn't need a mouthpiece to shine. "Sensations" is a smooth retro number with a gently percolating beat, and "Arabesque" is all down-and-dirty seduction; the muffled, sampled beat paired with heavy guitars is sexy as hell, and "Arabic synth" (as is credited, anyway) adds a unique twist. "Walk of Ju" mesmerizes between its sultry sax and World Music overtones, while "Come Dubbing" offers a atmospheric cross between World Music and Trance at a mellow tempo.

In fact, only the last two numbers -"Cloud People" and "Powder"- are unnecessary exercises, plodding along with minimum melody and treading dangerously close to the realm of New Age wallpaper. But the bulk of this record is as exciting and innovative as the band's missing singer, and Sweetback proves they have enough atmosphere and style to last them between Sade releases...and considering her recording timeline thus far, that's a good thing.

A Sade fans dream right here! I was walking through the record store about 4 years ago looking for Sade's "Diamond Life"..CD. The guy working the register asked me was I a huge fan of hers. Of course I replied with a positive head nod. I was escorted to the Jazz section where this dude handed me Sweetback. After i played this record on the way home i couldn't understand why there was no video's or radio play for Maxwell classic "Softly Softly". Amel Larrieux's "You Will Rise" and "Gaze" could have both easily been loved on the commercial tip. This talented band also touched hip hop with the underground MC Bahamadia on the jazzy track "Natural". Even though these are some great songs, the CD is highlighted by the countless instrumentals that would put the grumpiest individual in a good mood. This CD is lovely but the only problem i have with the project is that the artist didn't market this material and Sade didn't make one guest appearance. Don't get me wrong, it's still a ......CLASSIC

A masterpiece of modern musical minimalism. Stuart Matthewman, Paul S. Denman, Leroy Osborne and Andrew Hale have truly 'created' some great music on this disc. The opener "Gaze" is one of those moments of magic that comes back to haunt you after hearing it just once. Blessed by the presence of the lovely Amel Larrieux, it's a hypnotic track that both envelops you and amazes you with it's innovative sound. "Softly Softly" manages to reign in some of Maxwell's occasionally grating drama and allows him to deliver one of his most heartfelt performances (listen to him get 'open' on the line "tell me baby"! near the songs end) without getting on the listeners nerves. Instrumental highlights include:"Chord" (smooth as butter with a phat sax intro!). "Cloud People" (dreamy landscape music). "Sensations" (one of the best bass grooves on the album), and "Walk of Ju" (just downright entrancing). Leroy Osborne, after years of playing vocal foil to Sade on record and on stage, finally gets his chance to shine on the remake of Bill Withers' "Hope She'll Be Happier" turning the song into his own. Simply put, his interpretation of this classic is stunning and heartbreaking. Mrs. Larrieux also leads the bass-heavy, irresistable and inspirational "You Will Rise" and manages to be soulful and passionate without oversinging, a crime many young vocalists are guilty of. In closing, the most striking thing about this album is it's use of space. The vocals and instruments all have plenty of breathing room and the uncluttered production gives the album a relaxed, elegant feel, like the best jazz. This is music for quiet introspective times. It functions perfectly as either soothing background music or deep, thought-provoking listening (preferably with headphones) so one can hear all the intricate details. Highly Recommended. Another Modern Classic.

When Sade took her 8-year hiatus, her band members weren't exactly content on twiddling their thumbs until Ms. Adu felt like returning to the studio. They instead branched out into the splinter group Sweetback, and while their debut won't exactly make Sade lose any sleep, it's a solid collection of soulful grooves that don't stray too far from their roots. The disc's best cuts are the ones with vocals, whether they feature Maxwell ("Softly Softly") or Amel Larrieux of Groove Theory ("Gaze" and "You Will Rise"). These and the rest of the tracks are butter-smooth with seductive sax, ambient touches, jazzy vibes, and mellowed-out beats. "Sweetback" is that perfect disc to play at sunset, with that special someone, or for that rainy Sunday afternoon.

Sade's guys discovered after 1992's "Love Deluxe" the same thing that the Yellowjackets did when they finished doing session work for Robben Ford--they liked playing together enough to become a real band on their own. There's an interesting lady-rap number called "Au Natural" that takes aim at the sexism often found in the male counterpart, but Bahamadia foregoes the temptation to be just as badass as the dudes. Most of the rest of this disc is instrumental, running the gamut from numbers that would make good Sade songs to semi-ambient to the techno/ eastern fusion of "Arabesque" to a crossover funk/ jazz that Marcus Miller would approve of. Hey, they had to do something until last year, and I hope The Lady cuts them enough slack to do more of the same as a change of pace.

How do you classify this? Part trance, part inustrial, part trip hop, part soul/r&b, part hip hop, part ambient. No matter what genre you try to squeeze it into, this is one amazing album. I don't know how the music press overlooked its release, but if you like Portishead, Sade, Maxwell, you'll love this.

If William Gibson's Neuromancer or Mona Lisa Overdrive had a soundtrack, this would be it. How do you describe the sound? Slick and solitary, like cruising in a BMW 740 down the Pacific Coast Highway at 5:01 a.m. when you're the only car on the road cause everyone's still asleep and the sun hasn't risen yet so the sky's still red.

Postmodern, like when you're walking through an art museum, looking at that abstract stuff or in one of those IKEA furniture stores looking at minimalist chairs. I've said enuff. Buy it and you'll see.

I bought this CD a few years ago, when it came out, and I still listen to it at last once a week. I own over 300 CD's and this one is one of my 5 favorites. The same magical sound these musicians lend to Sade shines through in their own CD. This music has so much soul to it that you can't help but close your eyes when listening to it. It's peaceful, relaxing and beautiful. The CD features the talents of some of the most gifted artist today (Maxwell, Amel Larieux, Bahamadia). There is a song for every mood and every emotion possible. BUY THIS CD!

At the very end of December 2000,a sister let me listen to her SweetBack cd,I was blown away!,I love music,and have collected it for a very long time,most of my stuff is on wax.I shared my copy with a brother(We both are Artist/Painters)he,like me played it everyday,most of the day,most of the time..He would not share his,he vibed to it as he worked. He was a world wide known painter,later he tolded me it was one of the greatest gifts, he had received,he said "even I could not understand just how deep this music was to him"..he loved "HOPE SHE'LL BE HAPPIER WITH HIM"...HE was bare-ly in his 40's..But in March 2001,he had a stoke,and left the planet,he was a great person,healthy, and deep,so deep..he gave so much to the "PEOPLE" his life touched,I miss my brother,but I smile when I think about the joy he had in the last month of his life,one artist receiving from other gifted "artists" aka/ Sweetback...some of the poor reviews made me also smile..maybe one day these reviewers will understand SweetBack's art!!!! Their music,and the artist voice's choosen to do this thing=Bad!...that's why the date it was cut..do not limit what you hear.......it is 'SWEET"

Need I say more. Stu Matthewman, Andrew Hale and Paul Denman are a trio to be reckoned with. Take a look at the guest artists- Maxwell, Amel Larrieux, Bahamadia & also Leroy Osbourne(Sade). This is Urban Alternative at it's best. This CD takes you through an emotional joyride that you will want to take over and over again. It's a must have to enhance any collection.

I was surfing around Rhapsody for a song called Sensations, and while I was looking for something completely different, I found Sweetback. I saved the tracks to my playlist and have really enjoyed what I've heard from this artist. I'm pretty curious about past and future releases from them.

I guess I'm moving towards more ambient music that doesn't focus so much on vocals as I age and as my hearing gets worse. I've got about a 30% loss from various sources, and though I can hear sounds, I have a bit of trouble understanding words. I really like jazz and smooth jazz, but I also like some variety. I like artists and tracks that flow and that I can really get into and relax with. Sweetback seems to be one of those artists!