Take Me Higher

Diana Ross | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 26, 1995)
• Original Release Date: September 5, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000001AAF
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,973 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Stylish Return to Form, April 11, 2000

By 

Todd J. Brandt (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Take Me Higher (Audio CD)

Stung by the commercial failure of her hip hop-inflected "Workin' Overtime" (1989), Diana Ross returned in 1991 with "The Force Behind the Power." That album contained some gems, but was waterlogged by tepid, whitewashed pop production. "Take Me Higher" (1995) strikes a polished balance between contemporary soul and the glossy pop drama Ross is best known for. The invigorous title track kicks the collection off with a bubbly, retro-disco groove that is easily Ross' best dance tune of the 1990's. The second track, "If You're Not Gonna Love Me Right," is a radio-friendly R&B groove with an instantly catchy hook. "Keep it Right There" is another fine, sultry R&B number, while "Don't Stop" is a saucy trifle featuring a cute rap interlude by the Boom Brothers. A surprisingly fresh cover of "I Will Survive" seems particularly resonant for this industry veteran. The ballads, however, are where Ross really shines. The shimmering "Voice of the Heart" contains a lovely, glistening vocal. The gentle Latin flourishes on "I Never Loved a Man Before" create a smooth, sexy ambience. The excellent "Gone" has Ross singing in a throaty lower register, and masterfully handling a wordy mouthful of lyrics. Brenda Russell contributes the anthemic "Let Somebody Know," and while the sentiments of "Only Love Can Conquer All" veer close to hokum, Ross' sincere, strong performance makes it sound convincing. The standout performance is "I Thought That We Were Still in Love," set against a quiet, jazzy backdrop. Ross sings with a delicacy and nuance that has been missing from her most recent work, and her thoroughly involved reading of the lyric reminds us that she is an Oscar-nominated actress as well. The production is uniformly sophisticated and slick; it's a credit to Ross and her team that despite four separate producers (Narada Michael Walden; Nick Martinelli; Brenda Russell; and Jon-Jon), the album still creates a cohesive atmosphere and flow. Ross is still in top form here, and has produced what is easily her most enjoyable album of the decade.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supremely exquisite, June 15, 1999

By 

Rod Reviewer (VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Take Me Higher (Audio CD)

This album is one of the best that Diana has ever recorded. I am still at a loss as to why this CD did not generate any hit singles, because there were possibilites galore. From the beat of the title track, to the tenderness of "I Thought That We Were Still in Love", to the emotional "Voice of the Heart", this album takes you through so many stages of feeling. Practically ignored by the radio industry, this album has the power to truly lift one's spirits. It is certainly named appropriately. If only Motown had promoted it properly, more people would have had the opportunity to enjoy its richness.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ain't No Star Rating High Enough, June 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Take Me Higher (Audio CD)

Being a long time Diana Ross fan, it is a great pleasure to hear her return to the kind of songs she does best: love ballads (Voice of the Heart, Let Somebody Know, Gone, I Never Loved a Man).These songs are some of the best she has ever recorded. The "trendy" songs (Don't Stop, Keep It Right There, If You're Not Gonna Love Me Right) are all fine, but do not showcase Miss Ross' strongest singing abilities. They do show, however, her ability to hold her own amongst the up-and-coming singers of today. The title track is fun and uplifting, probably the best dance tune Diana has ever recorded (rivaled only by "The Boss"), and her cover of "I Will Survive" is in the same neighborhood. The outstanding "I Thought That We were still In Love" is a song that every Diana Ross fan must hear. This CD displays Diana's versatile and matured singing ability at it's very best.