Customer Reviews

Urban Rapsody

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a Rick James fan since album number one. I've seen him in concert and I still have a slot available for him on the CD changer in my vehicle. I had passed up "Urban Rapsody" thinking that his better days were possibly over. Boy, was I wrong! This album is truly a gem for those of us who really love Rick's bold, sensual, lyrics and musical content. His guitar playing is awesome, his lyrics are true Rick.... which informs me that he has stayed true to himself and that he didn't put out a "joint", no pun intended, in an effort to be someone else. This CD proves that Rick was before his time. The music is reminiscent of his older stuff yet simultaneously it is indicative of today! How did he do that? The Stone City Band is as tight as ever! The guests on the CD: Bobby Womack, Jojo, Snoop Dogg, and Charlie Wilson sound incredible! The sista rapping on the CD, he called her Nebb, is clear and spittin something fierce! I have nearly worn my CD out and I just received it! I am so thankful for these jams: "Good Ol Days", "Player's Way", Mama's Eyes" and "Soul Sista"! Actually, I just downright love the entire CD. Please don't sleep on this CD that unfortunately did not get the air play that it certainly deserved! I sincerely hope he blesses us with another CD soon. Rick James forever!

I was born and raised in Buffalo, NY so I had no choice but to hear all of Ricks' music...ALL OF IT! That taught me one thing.....I never really was a Rick James fan.....AT ALL. It was something about his music that just irked me terribly with the exception, of course, of "Mary Jane" and another song off that album called "Dream Maker", which I think didn't get hardly enough, if any, air play. In my opinion, next to his duet with Teena Marie of "Fire and Desire", "Dream Maker" was his most sexiest and seductive slow jam. It was something about the melody that stirred my juices. BUT THAT WAS ALL. Now, after his prison experience, I decided to listen to "Urban Rapsody". For the life of me I don't know why. But I did and to my surprise I heard something I had never heard before. It was like ALL the music he made prior to this album was just a prototype. I mean nothing but drafts. I couldn't believe how much his rhythms had matured and how his music made me feel. It was like PURE FUNK. I LOVED IT. I had no idea that his music would effect me like it did. By the way, did I neglect to mention that I had a 20 year career in radio starting in 1981 as a DJ with at least 17 of those years in Buffalo? And I still do it part-time at 93.7 WBLK. Anyway when I got the album I played it to death and somehow it dissapeared and now I find myself desparately looking for it. Rick, all I can say is BRAVO!!! And what took you so long?!?!?

URBAN RAPSODY serves up no fewer than seven great Rick James songs; when you think about it, that would have been an entire album in his '70s/'80s heyday. I expected no less than what this comeback CD delivers, as James sure had enough time to work on it! "Never Say You Love Me," a you-done-me-wrong duet with JoJo McDuffy (of Mary Jane Girls fame) sets off the smoke alarms. And I defy you to sit still during the opening back-to-back dance numbers. Rick James' talent still towers!

For a jazz lover like myself to call this album a Masterpiece is remarkable.I was truly shocked when I first heard this cd. One must listen to the words as well as the music. There is a genuis at work here.
I am now at last a Rick James fan,wow.

This is the best album Rick James has done, to date. Urban Rhapsody and West Coast Thang will really have you rockin' to the beat and you won't be able to sit still! Be sure to check out his other songs that will keep you groovin' to the beat! This album prooves that Rick still has what it takes to be the Ultimate King of Funk! Long live Rick! Right On!

This is not a typical cd by Rick James and that's good! The cd shows the creativity of Rick James. He's a truly great musician and writer!

I knew what I was getting in terms of music genious; had this cd before,and it was stolen, but was disappointed to find it had a scratch on one of the songs.....guess thats the risk when u buy used.

This CD showcases Rick's range and superiority. Much to be said for his band..Stone City. They wrap around his vocals like a silk casing. GR8 music!

Although he went out on a very sour, tasteless and silly comic note (I'm Rick James, BITCH!), one MUST TRULY UNDERSTAND the musical brilliance of this man. Aside of all the drugs, the women, the jail sentence, the assaults, etc..., this man was responsible for a sound all his own dubbed "Punk Funk." One might have questioned whether (after his release from prison) he would be able to keep up the funk and remain both true and current. After one listen to "Urban Rhapsody," there can be no doubt that he had succeeded in this quest. Almost every song on this CD is a jam minus the very tender, "Never Say You Love Me." This song in particular was originally intended to be shared between Rick and his famous protoge, Teena Marie, however, further conflicts between the two artists prevented this from happening unfortunately. Although JoJo of the Mary Jane Girls gives it her all certainly, Marie, hands down, would have delivered a more believable, more soulful and authentic reading. 5 stars for the original (and self-proclaimed) King of Punk Funk!

All I can say is, WOW. I can't believe I slept on this one. Rick came back on the scene funky as ever with these tracks. I just got this cd in the mail from Amazon and I was quite impressed with the tracks on here. It was cool to see that he hooked back up with some of his peers such as Jo Jo from the Mary Jane Girls and my main man Charlie Wilson from the Gap Band to name a few. Rick showed that he still hadn't lost a beat just because he was in exile for a minute. These tracks and beats are slammin'. I recommend these cd for any Rick James fan to have. I'm quite sure you'll enjoy just as I did.