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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
IT ALL STARTED RIGHT HERE..., January 13, 2002
I'd first heard Out Of Eden in the spring of 1996, during my first year at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Someone had made me a mixtape filled with Inspirational music, and two acts from that tape grabbed my ear: Anointed, and Out Of Eden. The OOE song that grabbed me instantly was the drumcapella version of "Gotee's Groovin". It was simple, funky, and consistent. I was hooked. Now in 2002, I have yet to tire of this album. To be honest, every time I play it, I love it even more. Now that you have endured my endless raving about the wonderfulness (I know that isn't a word!) of this album, let's jump right into my review... The album begins with a slightly altered "Lovely Day", the breezy and powerful Bill Withers remake that never fails to put me in a good mood. Soothing yet energetic, "Lovely Day" is easily one of the best songs on the album. Next up is "Come and Take My Hand", a decent uptempo that goes for more of the funky feel that makes up the rest of this album. "Show Me" is hands down my favorite. Lyrically, the song is powerful and poignant. The music and the harmonies are splendid, especially when the background vocals sing, "Show Me, Another Way, Show Me, Another Wa-ay" during the second chorus. I love the percussion too. "Show Me" is my favorite, my favorite, my favorite...(did I mention that "Show Me" is my favorite?) "3 bros w/no fros" is an interlude that lets us know that this album is a family affair, and it works. "Good Thing" has a frantic, disco feel to it that would probably work really well at a roller-rink. "Good Thing" is also a favorite of mine. The original version of "Gotee's Groovin" is cool, but I like the drumcapella version is much better. "Bandwagon" is excellent; it was the second OOE song I'd heard on that mixtape my friend made for me back in 1996. (Thanks Hawanya!) Up next is "There Is A Love", a beautifully plush, pro-abstinence ballad that communicates its message in a powerful, yet gentle way. "There Is A Love" is an amazingly sweet song folks, please believe it. On this cut, OOE sounds a bit like SWV...The next track is a nice rap by Joy (or Danielle). We move onto "Heart Of Hearts" which holds its own. However, "A Friend" is a quaint, mellow and warm midtempo that features wonderful background vocals and motifs. I really love "A Friend" one too... "Force Like This" does indeed sound powerful, and I like it. The "Lovely Vibe" interlude is fantastic, and it amazes me that something so utterly funky would be included on this project - then again, everything about OOE's first album is more on the funky side. We close the CD with the sonically perfect drumcapella version of "Gotee's Groovin", and then we're done. I own all three albums by "Out Of Eden" (1994, 1996, 1999), and I plan to get their latest album as soon as it comes out. 'Lovin The Day' is the most R&B/Hip-hop oriented OOE album of them all. Their other two (especially 1999's 'No Turning Back') seem to lean towards Pop music. At any rate, this is the album that started it all, and paved the way for the wonderfully "conscious" record company that Gotee Records has grown into today...
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by Out of Eden 
