So Blu

Blu Cantrell

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 31, 2001)
• Original Release Date: July 31, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Arista
• ASIN: B00005LN65
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (109 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #80,830 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Blu Cantrell is tired. Tired of no-good, wrong-doin', sweet-talkin', always-cheatin', ever-schemin' men. Luckily for listeners, the Providence, Rhode Island native (discovered by Arista CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid) has decided to settle her scores in song. In the process, she delivers a gorgeously heartfelt soul album that manages to avoid no-scrubs, bills-bills-bills clichés, and get down to the business of broken-heart healing. Lacing scats into melismas and blues runs into R&B riffs, this torch-singing newcomer doesn't just take it to church with her debut: she takes it to the dimly lit juke joint, the crowded club, and the smoky underground cafe. Transitioning effortlessly from starry-eyed breathlessness to Eartha Kitt growl, to full-throttle, shiver-inducing wail, Cantrell incants catharsis with haunting ballads like "That One," in which she muses upon finding a soulmate, and "I'll Find a Way," on which she offers up a glorious, show-stopping vocal transition out of the song's bridge that would do Chaka Khan proud. Cantrell, the daughter of a jazz-singing mother, also manages to succeed with up-tempo numbers here--"Hit 'Em up Style (Oops)," the album's first single, is a jubilant revenge anthem, complete with an infectious, finger-wagging, Charleston riff that should have the ladies wiggling and their fellas checking themselves--and their wallets. --Sylvia W. Chan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BLU CANTRELL IS FIRST IN STYLE, GRACE AND FINESSE., September 22, 2001

By	G. McDermott (Palm Springs) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Blu Cantrell has arrived with "So Blu" An album that has the jazzy, rhythm, blues style with a smokey jazz club written all over it.

Blu's vocals are some of the finest in todays music market. It is so nice to see her first single "Hit Em Up Style (Oops!)" which is definitely beyond pop music norm is in the Billboard Top 10 on the Hot 100 Singles chart....How refreshing! A song with Oops! in it that has actually vocals, style and a refreshing jazz quality all its own.

Blu Cantrell definitely has her own style, sound that I just can't eject from my CD player.

A fantastic CD from beginning to end. Forget all the hoopla! about Alicia Keys who I feel is overrated. Get blue with Blu Cantrell and you will definitely won't be disappointed.

All the songs are strong - my favorites include the first single,
also "Swingin'", "Waste My Time" and "So Blu".

The Ella of our generation has arrived!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So Blu, January 31, 2003

By	"frikki_frikki" (Frikki Land) - See all my reviews

This album took me completely by surprise, I was expecting her to be a one hit wonder after hearing "Hit Em Up Style (Oops!)", but I found a cheap copy of the album and thought I would give it a try. I was blown away.
The first thing you will notice about this album is that she has an incredible voice, very soulful and powerful. Her beats are flawless and very catchy and you will be hooked after one listen. Top tracks include "The One" which is an awesome upbeat track and the sounds of the storm mixed in with the song works very well. "I Can't Believe" is definitely one of the most emotional tracks on the album, in the bridge she sounds like she could burst into tears at any moment. "Waste My Time" is a stinging message to an ex-lover and L.O.'s rap is very cool.
Some people call this the album for the broken-hearted and this is a good description, she believes every word she sings, it's like she completely understands the way you're feeling and her music is somehow comforting. Sure, any singer can sing about heartbreak, but Blu does it in a way that I've never heard before.
What's even more incredible about this album is that she co-wrote most of the tracks. This impressive debut will ensure that Blu has a long and prosperous career.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SO BLU IS SO RIGHT........, October 9, 2001

By	mediaagent "mediaagent" (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

Listen, you either love her or you don't. Bottom line, girlfriend knows how to sing a heartbreaking song. (Well, second to Mary J., but Mary is livin it up at the moment, so somebody has to take over the hip hop blues).

Blu reminds you of a hip hop verson of Bessie Smith. Strong and rough, but she tugs the heartstrings. If you went through a period of hurt, whether it is in the past or present, you can feel it when Blu sings about it. She's no Alicia Keys, but hey, she's not supposed to be. She's Blu. Blu's style, Blu's way, Blu's songs.

Unfortunately, because radio(especially NY radio) does not play anything worthwile these days, (minus the neosoul of Jill Scott, Maxwell, Musiq Soulchild, Bilal, etc), you cannot be good. Blu is just displaying the hurt and anger we have all felt when we have been involved in a love gone bad. If you want a more adult hip-hop contemporary album that packs a punch of love gone wrong, get Blu Cantrell. You will not be disappointed.