Customer Reviews

True Spirit

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

 

 

Simply put, this little known record from this little known artist (tragecally) is THE best album ever made. Carleen Anderson (formally of The Young Disciples) can write about things in ways where other song writers would use terrible old cliches. Her voice is just stunning with an amazing range to it. The opening of Let it Last is surely one of the most beautiful recordings of all time. buy this record, it will never dissapoint you - years after its release (I bought it the week it was released) it still enchants me, if I never heard any other record than this for the rest of my life, I would still die a happy man. And to the other reviewer who mentioned Rahsaan Patterson.. yes, his album is also just superb.

I read on Carleen's website not too long ago that she honestly felt uncomfortable with her solo debut on account of it being done without a live band present in the studio to record with her. I tend to agree with her on this part, since the production values on True Spirit (with the exception of a few "live-sounding" tracks) really haven't aged that well and only serve to undermine the genuine power and emotion of her singing and lyricism throughout. Fortunately for Carleen, she righted her ship fairly quick on her second album Blessed Burden-thanks largely in part to British "old school"-style rocker Paul Weller playing a HUGE role in co-producing and co-writing the album. Unfortunately for us, that bonafide '90s R&B/Soul classic is now only available as a UK import so good luck trying to land a copy, lol! Truth be told, if Carleen had hooked up with Weller from the start instead of her record label ill-advisedly hiring Ian Green to oversee the making of her debut, then True Spirit might've wound up being every bit as good (if not better) than her more fully-realized sophomore effort.

Still, there's enough decent material found here to make it worth buying. However, if you want the very best of what Carleen has to offer then I strongly recommend you start with Blessed Burden instead and go from there. Take it from me, her later work far surpasses anything she's done on True Spirit (in particular her latest release Soul Providence-hands down her best album TO DATE).

This is one of my favorite records. Carleen's voice is truely amazing. If you love good music and strong powerful vocals, you will love this one.

When Carleen finally went solo from the Young Disciples in '93 she crafted a disk that was based off the work with her former band mates. The album did vary with offerings of programmed acid Jazz ( 'Feet Wet Up', lead single 'Mama Said') and acoustic and live soul numbers like 'Ain't Givin' Up on You', 'Let it Last' and the emotively soulful 'Secrets'. It's the live sounding recordings that would eventually lead to her explorations on her sophmore venture 'Blessed Burden'. Carleen has a voice that ranks right up there with the greats. While the production comes from the second wave of jazz fusion recordings (early to mid 90's), her mature songwriting sets her apart. Her vocal delivery is truly unique and ripe with experience, it offers consolation and expresses emotions that few processed and marketed singers can only attempt. Her musical upbringing and experience with the J.B.s shines through. Sing on...

Blew my mind away when it came out. Best record of 1996. You'll love it if you have an ear for D'Angelo, Maxwell, Rahsan Patterson or Adriana Evans.