Customer Reviews

This Is Love

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

 

 

I first took note of Ann Nesby in the movie, The Fighting Temptations. (Which actually was a pretty decent film, in my opinion.) I saw this album in the store a few days ago and I decided I should probably give her a try. I scanned the barcode into the machine and a portion of the first track, "I Can't Explain It," came on. I instantly fell in love with the song; it was a breath of fresh air, the lyrics were simple, but beautiful and the chorus was quite catchy. I walked away with the album in hand while the other samples ran, knowing that I would be pleased with my purchase, even if that was the only song I liked. But, of course, I ended up loving the entire album.

This Is Love is not necessarily a "gospel" album since there is only about one reference to God, but the music and her voice are definitely highly influenced by the genre. (I suppose that's why the sticker on the front advertises this as "inspirational soul.") The subject matter and lyrics are about the ups and downs of relationships/marriage, family and just plain real life. The perspective of these subjects comes from a woman with Christian values and inspirational intentions, but that doesn't mean this is a ten-track "I-love-my-man, we're-perfect" fest. Songs like "Tables Turn" and "I Apologize" speak on leaving a no good man and asking forgiveness from a spouse.

The production is very simple, but it is also superb. It's very musical and has live instrumentation (trumpets, strings, etc.), resulting in an overall real, raw and sincere tone throughout the album. Ms. Nesby's voice is breathtaking. It is booming and powerful, but also very emotive. On each song, she offers a heartfelt delivery. The songwriting is quality.

This album is not without flaws, though. The club-inspired production of "It's So Easy Lovin' U" is pretty bland. The songs goes on a bit too long and feels a bit out of place. I would've preferred "See U Cry" to be a bit more complex and dynamic, especially since it's the closing track. Last, I wish it were longer. With ten songs and clocking in at 44 minutes, it left me craving for more. Still, Ann Nesby's third effort is a very enjoyable one. It is quality "inspirational soul." If you are a gospel fan, or just need some uplifting music to listen to, you have found the right CD.

Miss Nesby turns it out again on "This is Love", her most consistent disc since her Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis produced debut. Ironically, I discovered "This is Love" when I was shopping for the new Chaka Khan - a slamming CD produced by none other than Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. In any event, Miss Ann has put out a collection that gives Miss Khan a run for her money, her voice tender but strong, experienced by never jaded. Standouts include the strutting "Tables Turn", the pumping opener "I Can't Explain It" and dancefloor throwdown "It's So Easy Lovin' U". Spectacular...

A LOT CAN TAKE PLACE IN 5 YEARS, 2 TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNER ANN NESBY CAN ATTEST TO THAT. AFTER THE RELEASE OF THE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED GRAMMY NOMINATED "PUT IT ON PAPER," WHICH FEATURED AL GREEN NESBY SEEMINGLY WENT UNDER THE RADAR.

SURFACING 5 YEARS AFTER "PUT IT ON PAPER" NESBY RETURNS WITH A STUNNING NEW LOOK, LOOKING YOUNGER NOW THAN SHE DID AT THE ONSET OF HER SOLO CAREER IN 1996. TAKING A BREAK FROM THE SECULAR REALM OF MUSIC, SHE GOT HER SPIRITS LIFTED WITH BOTH A CONTEMPORARY AND TRADITIONAL GOSPEL PROJECT, HER GRANDDAUGHTER PARIS BENNET WAS A TOP 5 FINALIST ON AMERICAN IDOL, AND SHE HAD MADE HER BIG SCREEN DEBUT IN THE 'FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS' FEATURING BEYONCE KNOWLES AND CUBA GOODING JR.

WITH EVERYTHING ANEW FOR NESBY, SHE EASILY TRANSITIONS BACK INTO THE GROOVE OF MAKING MUSIC FOR THE GROWN AND SEXY ALL WHILE INSPIRING HER AUDIENCE TO LIVE IN THE SPIRIT OF LOVE AS HER ALBUM IS APTLY TITLED 'THIS IS LOVE.'

THIS 10 SONG SET IS BY FAR NESBY'S BEST STUDIO WORK SINCE HER 1996 DEBUT WHEN SHE WAS UNDER THE AUSPICES OF INDUSTRY LEGENDS JIMMY JAM & TERRY LEWIS. SOUNDING MORE YOUTHFUL AND THE QUALITY OF THE MATERIAL ON THIS SET BY FAR SURPASES HER LAST R&B EFFORT ('PUT IT ON PAPER').

FROM THE SIKLY CROONING FOR FORGIVENESS LEAD SINGLE "I APOLOGIZE," TO THE GET THE MOOD SET FOR LOVE "SPECIAL OCCASSION," TO "THE ELEGANT STORY TELLING SHOWCASED IN THE CLEVERLY TITLED "NEVER FORGET YOU REMEMBERED." HANDS DOWN THIS ALBUM IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE URBAN/R&B CATEGORY FOR 2007. 'THIS IS LOVE' SHOULD EASILY ALLOW NESBY TO ADD A NEW GRAMMY TO HER MANTLEPIECE!

JUSTIN "JUZ" COOPER
FREELANCE MUSIC JOURNALIST
COLUMBIA, SC

I must say that I forget about Miss Ann sometimes when I'm searching for new music releases. BUT WHOAAAAAAAAAA! I purchased this CD today as I was seaching for Chaka Khan's and Jill Scott's new one(s). From the first track I am hooked! It's all new music! She siiiiiiiiiiiings baby! This CD is a jam from the opening song! This is a must buy!! R&B that sounds like this cannot be lost and /or forgotten!! Go ahead Miss Ann! I love this CD!

I HAVE SAID THIS MANY TIMES BUT BUT I FIND THAT IT STILL RINGS TRUE. IN A DAY AND AGE WHEN EVERY OTHER FEMALE SINGER WANTS TO REFER TO THEMSELVES AS A DIVA. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THEM THAT TRULY KNOW WHAT THE TERM MEANS. SINCE THE EARLY 90'S MRS. NESBYS' SOULFUL PIPES HAVE BLESSED OUR RADIO WAVES SINCE BEING THE LEAD SINGER OF THE EVER GLORIOUS, EVER BLESSED, VERY POWERFUL, ANOINTED CHOIR "SOUNDS OF BLACKNESS". THEN OF COURSE VENTURING INTO HER FIRST SOLO PROJECT ON THE NOW DEFUNCT PERSPECTIVE RECORDS (STARTED BY ONE OF THE BADDEST PRODUCTION TEAMS IN MUSIC HISTORY, JAMES "JIMMY" HARRIS III, TERRY LEWIS AND "BIG" JIM WRIGHT) MRS. NESBYS' FIRST ALBUM WAS SERIOUSLY UNDERRATED IN MY OPINION. HER SECOND PROJECT WAS WONDERFUL BUT WAS AGAIN IN MY EARNEST OPINION UNDERRATED. SO NOW MRS. NESBY HAS RETURNED AFTER A FIVE-YEAR HIATUS WITH HER THIRD OFFERING ENTITLED "THIS IS LOVE" AND I HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT IS A BLESSING TO HEAR HER GOSPEL-TINGED VOICE ONCE AGAIN. THE SONGS PRESENTED HERE ARE PRESENTED IN A SIMPLISTIC WAY WHICH IS AT TIMES BOTH A BLESSING AND A CURSE IN A WAY. THE DISC GETS THE GROOVE GOING WITH A MIDTEMPO HEAD NODDING GROOVE ENTITLED "I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT" WHICH IS A BLESSING WITHIN ITSELF BECAUSE YOU GET TO HEAR ACTUAL MUSIC INSTRUMNETS (HORNS, STRINGS, KEYS AND SO FORTH)SO TAKE NOTE ALL OF YOU COMPUTER PRODUCERS THIS IS WHAT ACTUAL INSTRUMENTS SOUND LIKE. SHE THEN PARLAYS INTO WHAT IS IN MY OPINION THE BEST SONG ON THE DISC "I APOLGIZE" WHICH IS A COMPOSTION IN WHICH A WOMAN IS EXPLAINING TO HER MAN THAT SHE APOLOGIZES FOR THE ATTITUDE THAT SHE HAS HAD AS OF LATE (GOOD ADVICE CAUSE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF LADIES THAT ARE WILLING TO ADMIT SUCH A THING.......THESE ARE TWO OF THE MOST POWERFUL WORDS IN ANY RELATIONSHIP...I APOLOGIZE..TRUST ME ...LOL. SO THE DISC CONTINUES ALONG THIS SAME FLOW UNTIL IT GETS TO THE SONG "IT'S SO EASY LOVING YOU" WHICH IS JUST AN OKAY SONG. THE SONG IS UPBEAT BUT TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH IT SONUDS LIKE A FISH OUT OF WATER ON THIS ALBUM. IT SOUNDS COMPLETELY OUT OF SYNC IN THE FLOW OF THIS ALBUM (IMAGINE YOU WERE LISTENING TO SMOOTH A FLOWING LUTHER VANDROSS CD AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU HEARD A TRACK COME ON BY SNOOP DOGG. IT IS NOT THAT IT WOULD BE A BAD SONG IT'S JUST THAT IT WOULD THROW YOU OFF FOR A MOMENT). OTHERWISE, THIS DISC IS DEFINITELY ONE THAT WILL MAKE THE GROWN FOLKS REJOICE. SO, IT IS GREAT TO SEE WHERE AMERICANN IDOL RUNNER-UP PARIS BENNETT GOT HER GOD-GIVEN TALENT FROM. SO, IN SHORT MRS. NESBY, IT IS A BLESSING TO SEE YOU BACK WHERE YOU BELONG AND IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT SOMEONE TRULY KNOWS WHAT THE WORD "DIVA" REALLY MEANS. SO GOD BLESS YOU FOR BLESSING US. IT IS WONDERFUL TO HEAR YOU AGAIN

It's too bad that Amazon doesn't allow "half-star" ratings for this '07 release from Nesby is almost a five-star recording. Featuring Nesby at her best on ten soulful tracks, the alblum clocks in an astonishingly short 44.3 minutes, much shorter than any of her previous releases, or even the 2009 follow-up, "The Lula Lee Project."

Though short in length, Nesby still makes up for it with her patented delivery of genuine R & B and urban contemporary gospel. Especially strong are the following: the Grammy-nominated "I Apologize," "I Can't Explain It," "Never Forget You Remembered," "Special Occasion," "Step," "Tables Turn," and "Thank God."

For the devotees of Nesby's frequent forays into the dance music arena, there's "It's So Easy Lovin' You."

Why the two-year-old album didn't get more attention by the music-buying public is a mystery to me!

She has changed her look on EVERY Album. She's currently doing another Gospel Album (This is confusing the critics indeed). It took me a while to get this album, but what a BIG surprise!!! Standout cuts: "I Can't Explain It", "I Apologize", and "Thank God". The Dancers (Club Folks) will love "It's So Easy Lovin' U". There could have a few more Dance Tracks, maybe Ann's saving those for another project down the road. Ann Nesby's time will come...And the world WILL take notice!

Many have said they sometimes forget about Ann Nesby and I must admit I do as well. She releases cds very infrequently so it is easy to do. Like everyone else luckily I came aceoss this one. YEAH ! MS. NESBY HAS A NEW CD !!!!!!!!!! I own all of her solo work and love them all. I hate the comparisons to Aretha Franklin. Yes, they both have big, powerful voices but for me Ms. Nesby is much more emotional and has a larger range. She hits those big notes with ease and power, not yelling as Aretha often does.

Whether hip hop, pop or pure r@b, Ms. Nesby is the real thing. A cd from her is well planned and an event. Her vocals soar and give you a lstening experience you will never forget.

For me there are no misses on this exceptional cd and I highly recommend it.

Ann Nesby has her own style and one can hear the influence of Ms Aretha Franklin in her voice as well. Great CD that makes you get into what music is suppose to be.