Customer Reviews

Wanting

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I'd never heard of Gabriela Anders until the day I answered correctly an on-line music question. The prize was I won a CD, it being "Wanting" by Gabriela Anders. From the first track, "Fire of Love", I was instantly reminded of another of my favorite smooth jazz artists, Sade. The bass line riff is reminiscent of "No Ordinary Love" off Sade's "Love Deluxe" CD. I also dig the funky, horn-ladened groove of "You Know What It's Like". The reggae-flavored rhythm and bass that drives "Seven Days" is guaranteed to transport you to the islands; I can practically feel the ocean breeze as I lull the hours away in a hammock with a cold tropical drink in my hand. "Forever" is a sensuous duet with Eric Benet (Benet seemingly heavily influenced by Babyface on that song). My least favorite track is "The Girl From Ipanema". The song has nothing to do with Gabriela and everything to do with the fact that I just don't care for that song at all, no matter who sings it! Ella Fitzgerald, the immortal "First Lady of Song" herself did a version of that song, and I love Ella in every sense of the word, but not that song! For some odd reason, "Girl" just leaves me cold. For pure romantic pop, though, it's hard to beat "I'll Be Loving You", and "Basileria", the final track on the album, is a light and breezy scat-bop which Gabriela glides through effortlessly. Cover version of "Girl From Ipanema" aside, this is a very good album; I highly recommend it and look forward to her next creative efforts.

To hear Gabriela Anders one can not help but to be reminded of Sade. As honorable as that may be, Ms. Anders voice may be "similar" to Sade's but her style is uniquely her own! Her rendition of Girl From Ipanema is so nice, smooth and jazzy, you actually feel the story come to life.

The CD flows so beautifully from song to song that I can't help but to play it over and over. If you like easy listening from a talented jazzy chanteuse, then "Wanting" is what you Want!!

I first heard this CD by chance in San Diego two years ago, and Gabriela Anders immediately got my attention with her interpretation of Roberta Flack's song, "You Know What It's Like", which I absolutely love. I knew then and there that I had to have this CD. Everyone who enjoys Latin-infused jazz will consider this debut offering a treat! "Fire of Love" enthralls with its sensuous lyrics and music that caresses the soul. Gabriela also lends soft, seductive interpretation to the title track, "Wanting". My absolute favorite, though, is "Brasileira" which she glides effortlessly through, taking the listener to new heights. I love Brazilian jazz and I don't think I could ever get tired of this song. It makes me want to jump on a plane to Rio de Janeiro. "Brasileira" soothes, caresses and mesmerizes the senses. Gabriela Anders is an awesome talent with a voice like an angel and I hope to hear more from her in the future. This CD is definitely something to listen to in front of the fireplace or in the jacuzzi with someone you love with a chilled glass of White Zinfandel or Merlot. Buy it! You will not regret it.

This album left me "wanting"...wanting more of Gabriela Ander's music! I cannot listen to this enough! The lyrics and the melodies meld and transform the atmosphere into a warm, pulsating environment...I catch myself closing my eyes and letting her voice take over me....this album MOVES me! You don't hear her music, you FEEL it... It is perfect for detaching from a particularly hectic day at the office, to setting the ambiance needed for the deepest intimacy. You will not be disappointed!

I was first introduced and mesmerized with this wonderful artist on a day that I thought would continue to be disasterous. I turned on my local smooth jazz station WJCD 105.3. Low and behold they (radio station) sensed my mood and played her title cut "Wanting". I knew that this artist had the right stuff to transcend me into an after work relaxing mode/mood. This artist definitely knows her voice and knows how to manipulate the words and sounds to soothe the listener into a state of pure bliss. She read my mind when she recorded this CD. Kudos to Gabriela Anders.

I've been waiting to find a new jazz CD that offers something new and one that doesn't offer lame "smooth jazz" production. Gabriela Anders presents a beautiful destination of sound on 'Wanting'. Producer, Alain Mallet (known for his stellar work with Jonatha Brooke) also offers some surprising soundscapes for Anders to sing over, in addition to the other host of producers. I find the sound of this album to be very creative and mellow, and it somehow finds an effective mood to stay away from becoming overt and terrible smooth jazz... which I obviously can't stand. It's kind of like a patient combination of perhaps Sade and Swing Out Sister, in terms of what I've heard before I came across Anders. What is also interesting is that Anders writes the bulk of the album's material (something Diana Krall should perhaps strive to do as well) which is refreshing to see, in this age of constant rehashing of old jazz standards and arrangements VS those smooth jazzers. Anders' voice instantly pulls you in, so every song is good, but don't waste your time on track #4 "Forever" because I feel that it could have been kept off the album. Four words: basic production & Eric Benet. But from the Sade-esque "Fire of Love", to the swaying reggae tinged "Seven Days", to the native tongued "Fantasia", to the neo soul of "Love Is So Unkind", to the free flowing heavenly scat of "Brasileira", Gabriela Anders thoroughly showcases her talent. So put this album on and melt your lover's heart. And if you don't have a special someone, then find solace in Gabriela Anders' catchy yearning.

I THINK THAT I FIRST HEARD ONE OF THE TRACKS BEING PLAYED ON A FAVORITE SOAP OPERA. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHO IT WAS. HER VOICE HAS A KIND OF EERIE, PRIMAL, TIMELESS, DREAMY QUALITY. I FIND MYSELF TOTALLY ABSORBED, ALMOST HYPNOTIZED. I FOUND OUT WHO IT WAS QUITE BY ACCIDENT. IT WAS PLAYING ON A FRIEND'S STEREO AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS ASK. THERE IT WAS, GABRIELA ANDERS. SHE SINGS WHAT I FEEL PLUS WE SHARE THE SAME FIRST NAME. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE HER MUSIC AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR MORE.

Gabriela has a soft, attractive voice, albeit I'm not as reminded of Sade as are some other reviewers. Buyers be warned: the music heard here is not anything like that coming out of the next-generation of vital contemporary Brazilian sounds (e.g., Bebel Gilberto), so don't be misled by the presence of several familiar tunes ("The Girl From Ipanema," "Fantasia," "Brasileira"). Rather, this 1998 CD is clearly aimed at "smooth jazz" listeners, with an often too-polished production sheen and a fair amount of that genre's "quiet storm" r&b/soul sound. Just my preference, but I'd like to hear her singing over some backdrops that are a little bit more "messed-up."

Several tunes stood out for me, including the ballads "Just An Hour" and "Fantasia" (the latter sung in Portugese) which display Gabriela's voice at its most soulful. I suppose if I wanted some smooth jazz in my collection this album would be as good a choice as any in representing that style, thanks mostly to the quality of the vocals. As such, if that genre is attractive to you, then this CD is a wise investment. However, to those with more left-of-center musical tastes (Brazilian, groove/acid jazz, world-beat, etc.), I recommend looking elsewhere. Of the two Gabriela Anders albums I've heard, I do prefer the more recent LAST TANGO IN RIO to this one.

I first heard the music of Gabriele Anders in Spain and it blew me away. She is a wonderful blend of Latin, jazz, and other styles her own. This album has no annoying fill; it is all great!! Try it with a good glass of Rioja or Duero and you will be amazed.

I got her album after I heard her from Casino Nights'99. This is one of my Favorite CD. My favorite song is "Just An Hour". Her voice is so powerful yet so charming. Music to my ears. Very lovely CD to listen to.