Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baker's "Rhythm" is almost perfectly in sync, May 8, 2000
Sometimes the hardest act to follow can be your own. And with albums like "Rapture," "Giving You the Best That I Got," and "Compositions" under her belt, Anita Baker understands this concept better than anyone. So when "Rhythm of Love," her fifth album, was released after a four-year hiatus, expectations were high. And Baker came damn close to yet again hitting a home-run.The title track kicks off the project with a slick midtempo groove and a sultry spoken intro. Despite the fact that this track basically has no hook it still manages to seduce. Her jazzy rendition of "The Look of Love" boasts one of Baker's most easy-feeling vocals and stellar piano by Joe Sample, and "Body and Soul," the album's first single, was a gospel-flavored love song that ranks among her best recordings. Elsewhere, Anita dipped a toe in the waters of hip-hop with the sultry "I Apologize," tried on Carly Simon for size with a fantastic remake of Simon's "You Belong to Me," and finally gave many fans what they'd be hoping for when she tackled a standard, "My Funny Valentine"...all of which were perfectly executed and showcase Baker's smoky alto as well as anything she's ever recorded. The album wasn't without error, however. "Plenty of Room" and "Wrong Man," a ballad and a midtempo number, respectively, were bland examples of pop/soul that got off to good enough starts, but never went anywhere in the end. And "It's Been You" could have definitely been left off altogether; even though Baker gives the track her usual, charming vocal, the composition is so close to the realm of "Rapture" that it sounds like she's merely trying to recapture that album's sound and success, something a singer of her stature obviously need not do. Still, the majority of this record wins out and proves that Anita Baker will be around for the forseeable future. Musical trends come and go, but a singer with a one of a kind voice and near-perfect taste in song selection will never be out of style.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wow!! Anita, You're A Treasure!!!!!, June 13, 2005
Anita Baker is a uniquely gifted artist. She produced this album, wrote many of the songs, arranged many of the vocals, and plays piano and synthetic percussion on some. Wow!!!
The title song "Rhythm Of Love" is a truly a sultry number. Anita's vocal has no boundaries. She is fantastic! "The Look Of Love" is a very mellow experience. Joe Sample is magical on the piano. Anita is totally inspirational on "Body And Soul"! Her vocal is gorgeous and she gives it everything she's got! "Baby" has a most unique vocal arrangement. Anita showcases her vocal range in this song. "I Apologize" with lyrics about a lover's spat has tones of regret amidst Anita's soulful vocal. "It's Been You" is a tour-de-force of a vocal. So smooth and so mellow...the subtlety takes over and then you're hooked. A slow-smouldering song, "You Belong To Me" has something special that no other singer has been able to duplicate! The emotion in this song is softly explosive! "Wrong Man" is a musical journey full of passion. "Only For A While" is a wonderful ballad that heats up with a great instrumental at the end. There's no love song that can compare with "Sometimes I Wonder Why". Anita adds her own special sentiment for this one. Joe Sample is superb on the piano. Deliberate yet passionate, Anita's vocal is like silk on "My Funny Valentine".
Other notable contributions (a who's who of musicians): Michael Thompso -guitar, Joe Sample-piano, George Duke-percussion, Steve Ferrone-drums, Barry Eastmond-piano, Michael Bradford-various instruments, Nathan East-bass, Dean Parks-guitar, James Genus-bass, Jason Miles-synthesizer programming, Ira Siegel-guitar, Everett Harp-alto sax, Jerry Hey-trumpet, Reggie Young-trumbone, Bucky Pizzarelli-guitar, Charnett Moffett-bass, Greg Phillinganes-piano, Andy Snitzer-saxophone, and Anthony Jackson-bass.
This album is timeless. Many cuts from it are still played on contemporary radio and smooth jazz stations across the country. Truly a classic jewel!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Body & Soul-She gives it in ALL of her songs, May 12, 2004
Rhythm of Love touches the heart of her music. The song Body &
Soul is my favorite from this album.Lady B, as always gives her best and shows her best in her videos. The lyrics descibes the
love that she has for her husband. When she takes time off to tend to her family, she is gathering material for her next song.
To me, the wait is worth it. Body & Soul tells the story of the
love husbands & wives should have for each other, when they are
away from each other. Love songs by Anita Baker are the type of
songs that artists back in the '50s & '60s sung with respect to
both the man & woman. Lady B gives me the songs that shows
that she feels love, to sing about love.
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