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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An "Affair" To Remember, January 10, 2006
Cherrelle is abosolutely one of the most UNDERRATED songstress EVER! How in heaven's name does someone with the backing of geniuses Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis get pushed aside and only know for TWO major hits????!!! It boggles my mind that Janet Jackson (who I like as well) became Jam and Lewis's "High Priority", yeah, she's Michael's little sister but Cherrelle had more class, funk and sass than Miss Jackson EVER! If you don't know about Cherrelle, ya need too because with one listen you will be hooked! Especially with her third effort which is her greatest effort.
"Affair" is a gorgeous masterpiece that cronicles Cherrelle's roller coaster whirlwind romance and divorce with her ex-husband Randy Ran of Flyte Tyme/Jam and Lewis team. It's quite the adventure music thrill ride and the music is simply Jam and Lewis's best. With it's New Jack vibes, smoky soul and uplifting gospel tones, "Affair" ceases to bore and it brings you into the tale of "sex, lies and deception". Cherrelle sings each song with clarity and assurance as well as painful injections in the final songs. Cherrelle has a nice vocal range and she belts out chords with maginficent flair. She comes across as a performer, this woman performs and tells us, "Hey, I'm Cherrelle, I love music so I'm gonna sing MUSIC" That's what Cherrelle is, she is what alot is lacking today, MUSIC and she's a person who enjoys doing it! With "Affair" she gets to explore music though voice and words.
With the growing keyboard introduction that starts off the kicker New Jack swiing of "Looks Aren't Everything", you can tell that this album is going to be good. The lyrics are funky, humorous and couldn't be more true. She also injects some of her 1986 hit, "You Look Good To Me" into it. "Pick Me Up" follows and is a nice funky little number while "Discreet" is anything but with it's humorous lyrics (Alexander O'Neal's "Hearsay" makes a guest apperance) and a tight keyboard and New Jack sound. The repetitive and blaring drum machine starts off the perky yet catchy, "Happy That Your Happy With Me" which is probably one of the best tracks. It soars, dips and dives and has a gorgeous keyboard backing it up. Great song. The title track follows and is just as upbeat and scandolous as the first three tracks. Great vocals by Cherelle as she wails on at the end and more of that New Jack dance vibe is here. Laughable lyrics like, "Maybe you'll buy me an engagement ring" and "Cause baby I won't take all the business in my face". The almost Janet Jackson "Rhythm Nation" sounding, "What More Can I Do For You" has mehcanical drums and a grooving laid-back vibe to it. The verry 80's soul groove of "Foolin' Around" has chiming keyboards and a slapping bass that gives this song a good edge to it. The #1 hit "Everything I Miss At Home" is gorgeous and so beautiful. From it's soaring beginning to it's classy ending, this song is the best off of here. Has a smoky blue lights night club feel to it and the piano is just brilliant. Gorgeous. Cherrelle and Alexander O'Neal team up to duet on the mid-tempo R&B groove of "Keep It Inside", once again these two pull off a smoking duet. "My Friend" is the cheesiest sounding and the most pop sounding on here but it's still a pleaser and has some nice lyrics to it. The sorrowful "Crazy" is a deep and tear-jearking jazzy ballad that Cherrelle pointed out that she cried while making this track. Talk about heavy! The inspirational "Lucky" rounds out the album, and it's gospel themes and inspiring lyrics give it a special touch.
"Affair" is one of those albums that you NEED to own. It's just an all around good album that takes you back to the great music decade of the 80s. How I wish artists today would put together concept albums that actually mean something and has good music to boot. I also wish that Cherrelle herself would come back, we need her humor, sass and spunk back on the air waves. Her music has always been a favorite of mine because it's always surprising, great to dance too and it has hilarious themes behind it. With "Affair" you get an awesome singer, some great production work by the masters Jam and Lewis, a story that we can all relate to and most importantly good music. Get caught up in the "affair", you will not be dissapointed!
JEN'S TOP 5
1. Happy That Your Happy With Me
2. Everything I Miss At Home
3. Looks Aren't Everything
4. Affiar
5. Crazy (tie w/Discreet)...I'm lying, the WHOLE album is GOOD TO THE LAST DROP!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Under Rated Mega Voice, September 23, 2005
Complete powerhouse of a singer. How did Cherelle miss being a mega superstar??
This is by far her best album. Strong vocals thumping beats make it hard to stand still. She jumps from funk to sweetness without missing a beat.
Hard to find CD is worth the extra $$$$.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A true classic !, July 24, 2005
the best i can say for this work of art?! I don't know if anyone payed close attention to this masterpiece but this album set the stage for the groung breaking work that the two master producers, jam and lewis, were about to un-leash on the 90's. Of all of there works of art this is bar far one of the best! to say the least about the artist! Cherrelle was way before her time but thank god i had the chance to live in the times of her moments! So i own this item and i salute the people behind it's mastery.
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