Customer Reviews

Writes of Passage

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Sheila E was first and foremost a jazz artist when she began her career as Sheila Escovedo, a drummer in her family band. Here she returns to her roots, and eschews the sexy lingere clad funk songstress that she was in her Prince days to emerge as a serious musician. Most of the tracks are instrumentals except two. "N PERFECT TIME" is a spiritual song with vocals by Sheila, and then her brother takes lead vocals on the song "Rite to Paradise". It would be a perfect album if you want some light jazz to unwind to. It is not in any way related to "THE GLAMOROUS LIFE". Artists grow, and this is a new avenue for Sheila's talent. The music is all solid, and it sounds great! But remember this is a jazz record, and Prince has nothing to do with it. Though I am sure he would approve! I love Sheila, and this is a great addition to any collection.

Sheila shows that she has a wider range of style than is probably expected of her. I bought this album knowing it was jazz, even though I am not a big fan of that genre. My first thought was "Sheila E. doing jazz?? That's interesting". I gotta tell you, I was pleasantly surprised. She seems just as comfortable on this album as any of her other releases. I feel she maintains the quality I have come to expect from her, even if her last albums did not sell as well as her first two. She sets a relaxing mood with her smooth latin jazz sound, but in no way is her album "boring". I would recommend this album be put on when you want to relax, but still "get your groove on"!!

After her 1991's "Sex Cymbal" I promised myself to never get another Sheila E's album... I broke this promise after I listened to some tracks on this new release. With "Writes of Passages", Sheila E comes back to her first love, the latin jazz-fusion music played by Azteca, a band led by her father, percussionist Pete Escovedo. Before she became a solo artist in 1984, she played as a drummer in this band and also in two more Escovedo's solo albums.

Trying a little bit of everything, Sheila E became one of Prince's most loyal player, joining him in 1987's project "Sign O' The Times". Since then, she released two top charting albums, some other works that didn't have the commercial impact of her Eighties' records, she played on Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's duet "When you believe" and finally join E-Train to release "Writes of Passage".

E-Train features percussionist Peter Michael Escovedo (is he his father? Probably), keyboardist Renato Neto, bassist Marc Van Wageningen, and saxophonist/flutist Eric Leeds, the latter being sometimes too present on this record, made of mixed Latin influences and mainstream jazz harmonies.

Sheila E did not forget how to sing and she shows it in "N Perfect Time", swinging a soul groove which turns the borderline between latin-jazz and pure soul to its thinnest. Other highlights include excellent "Passin Through", "Truth" and the name-says-it-all "Virtuosity."

Overall, this is a good album, but it lacks of experimentalism, and sometimes it is not original at all, even though the concept surrounding the train movement could suggest that "Writes of Passage" is a concept album. Well, it rather sounds like a movie soundtrack sometimes, but it's always very enjoyable.

Tracks list
(not yet available on Amazon.com when publishing this review):

01. Trainacomin'
02. Paragon (Sheila E / Escovedo / Neto / Leeds / Van Wageningen) - 4:20
03. Rituals (Neto) - 4:24
04. Passing Through (Sheila E / Escovedo / Neto) - 6:09
05. N Perfect Time (Sheila E / Neto) - 5:03
06. Protocol (Obiedo) - 5:09
07. Writes of Passage (Leeds) - 4:35
08. Truth (Neto) - 4:44
09. Rite to Paradise (Escovedo) - 4:03
10. Virtuosity (Van Wageningen) - 4:40
11. Trainagoin'

Concord Vista comes up with another winner, this time through the talent of Sheila E & The E-Train - "Writes Of Passage", featuring funkified, contemporary jazz excursion from the most prodigiously talented drummer/percussionist/vocalist on the planet.

With Sheila E's relentlessly funky grooves propelling her band like a musical locomotive, The E-Train - featuring Peter Michael Escovedo (drums/percussion), Renato Neto (keyboards), Eric Leeds (sax/flute), Marc Van Wageningen (bass), and special guest Ray Obiedo (guitar)...each track moves forward from the first note, with full steam ahead. Sheila is the spark for this musical journey, all musicians blend perfectly to the extent of tribal bonding, wonderful to see this in todays world of music...jazz!

Total Time: 44:33 on 11 Tracks...Concord Vista CCD 4934...(2000)

All aboard the E-train to acquire your writes... This Album This Album.... I own 7 Sheila E cd's and this is by far my most favorite. From the opening track trainacoming I am lost in the music it is all so relaxing and yet you can still jam to it. As a fan I must say that I am extremely proud of "my artist" her growth is just outstanding and it is so cool to see her grow older and listen as her music grows with her and it doesn't become old folk music or boring. It is just a vibrant as ever just shining a different kind of light so it is well worth it to by this album you won't be dissappointed...well maybe just a lil bit the last track trainagoin' is just awful...but only because it is the end of the album... I swear when I hear it I am returned to myself from a trance or musical journey once again thanks to the E-train... Buy it and see for yourself.

i have been a follower of sheila e's music since 1984 when she first reached her famous zenith in 1984 with her 1984 album "sheila e. in the glamorous life"but long before that crossover masterpiece she was already an accomplished jazz drummer studio musician.she had recorded a few albums with her father pete escovedo.albums such as "solo two"(1977) and "happy together"(1978).sheila has also done production work with george duke.in 1983,sheila was one of few musicians who played in marvin gaye's final tour before she hit it big in 1984. in 1985 she released the album "sheila e. in romance 1600"that featured 'a love bizarre' with prince and the love ballad 'bedtime story'...then in 1987 she released the self titled "sheila e" that featured the ballad "hold me" and the exquisite 'wednesday like a river'.

around the time of her next release "sex cymbal" 1991,sheila fell ill and was not feeling well.i saw her on video soul with donnie simpson when she mentioned about one of her lungs being weak.i felt for her and was i was happy that she was feeling better and she made a complete recovery.sheila's 1991 album "sex cymbal"did not do 2 well on the charts but nonetheless in my opinion was and still is a solid set.it featured the beautiful ballad 'promise me love'the very spiritual, pretty and passionate 'mother mary' and the bomb funk workout of 'heaven'.after this album,sheila took some time off (9 years 2 be exact)and did side projects like magic johnson's "magic hour"in 1998.

i was happy and delighted that she had mentioned on the show that she was working on a new jazz album entitled "writes of passage"/this is a very beautiful album from sheila.of course the r&b stations did not catch on 2 this modern masterpiece of an album.but before you could listen 2 the excellent music itself,you can't help but be attracted 2 the beautiful photo of sheila sitting alone in solitude close 2 the edge of the train tracks.sheila e.and the e. train's 'writes of passage'is very modern and contemporary while at the same time staying true 2 jazz's roots.assisting their leader sheila along for this ride through this jazz 'e' train are:pete escovedo(sheila's brother)vocals,drums&percussion/renato neto:keyboards/eric leeds:sax&flute/marc van wageningen:bass/ray obiedo:guitars...

the album begins with the sound of the 'e'train on 'trainacomin'which blends n2 the brilliant soulful 'paragon'/'rituals'features a spicy latin sound,while the very beautiful laid back sound of 'passing through'has a relaxing melody.'protocol'is a funky workout alongside that of the title track 'writes of passage'is another cool out jazz piece that you can relax 2 when it is time 4 brunch.'truth'is complex in it's melody in that the track switches moods very effectively with highs,lows,and sparkles in between.'rite to paradise'features sheila's brother pete escovedo along with lynn mabry assisting with sheila on vocals on which all three of them give a soulful performance on the song.

this album/cd also feature's sheila's soulful vocal performance on 'n perfect time'of which sheila intones the serious lyrics:'brothers and sisters-if only we could see knowledge and wisdom-all things happen n perfect time'/my favorite instrumental on this set is the penultimate cut 'virtuosity'-a beautifully done crafted modern piece featuring sheila's spicy drum and percussion playing and beautiful vocals and great musicianship from her e.train band.the album ends from where it begins with the sound of the'e'train on 'trainagoin'leaving a cool exit from the music.sheila e.and the 'e'train's "writes of passage"is without a doubt a very nice modern day jazz album....from one of the finest women in music...the very beautiful sheila e.....

I had no idea that Sheila E had a new CD out, until I was crusing around on Amazon and just happened to discover it. Since this album apparently has had very little promotion, I don't imagine that many others are going to be aware of its existence, either. I purchased it and am quite pleased. Although I wish Sheila would have done more vocal work on this CD, she still shines with those drumsticks. This album has a great beat, and I hope it does well for her. Obviously, alot of work went into it.

I really dig the sound&vibe here.I feel Shelia E.does everything here on this set that Prince wanted to get out of Madhouse.good solid arrangements&musicianship.the music here isn't over done.it has a cool laid back feel to it.here a Talented Artist doing there craft with feeling&purpose.it's been along time since SHE last put an album out but better late than never.very relaxing&good quality music.

I truly enjoyed Sheila's transformation from 80' pop to laid back Jazz.

This album shows maturity and growth as to where some artists stay fixed into what made them stars.

It's truly E mazing

Sheila E. is an incredible musician and she shows it off here. She's got energy and a great latin jazz flavor.