Ecstasy

Avant

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 26, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B0000639BC
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #93,220 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Avant, who hails from Cleveland, has something in common with Midwestern new jack R&B artists such as Dave Hollister and Donell Jones; he seems stuck in an upbeat and bouncy yet self-consciously thuggish and undistinguished groove. He and Chicago-based producer Steve Huff have put together a collection of middle-of-the-road songs touching upon all the traditional concerns of a would-be urban superstar. The singer/songwriter's light alto floats pleasantly over Huff's dance-oriented numbers and midtempo grooves, but the overall package lacks substance. A few slow jams, notably "Sorry" and "One Way Street" (a duet with the Gap Band's Charlie Wilson) stand out from the rest of his tracks, but Avant will have to dig deeper to avoid blending in with the crowd. --Rebecca Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Saved By Talent, April 22, 2002

By	Justin M. Webb "JDub" (Anderson, IN USA) - See all my reviews

Though it doesn't sound like Avant is spending much time trying to be creative or original, his voice continues to shine.

In an attempt to follow in R Kelly's footsteps, Avant bases much of this set on romance, or to be blunt - sex. I thought we already had enough music directed towards making love, but apparently there is more of a need for it than I imagined. While I was initially disappointed in this album, there are a few great songs that keep it in my CD player.

"Sorry" and "Thinkin' Bout You" are both strong productions, bragging of solid smooth vocals outlined by lusciously soulful melodies. Both are utterly relaxing and seem to imprint themselves in your mind for hours. The first single from the album, "Makin' Good Love," hops around to Steve Huff's piano-driven track while Avant continues to lust for human flesh. "Don't Say No, Just Say Yes" almost brings back the Isley Brothers, and is yet another track directed more for those making babies than those sporting their headphones.

The most interesting song is undoubtedly "Jack & Jill," where Avant carries "Jill" up his "hill." While the lyrics are simply corny if written on paper, the tune tends to reach out and grab you after you take it in for a few minutes. The voice of a dramatic piano fits well with the theme to "You Ain't Right," where the artist slams the door on a cheater.

The album closes out nicely with the standout song, "Suicide," Another of Huff's relaxing but manageably semi-dramatic grooves. A tasty acoustic guitar inspires most of this track, while Avant speaks of the hardships of being without his lady.

All in all, the album is not a bust, but if being a bust was a basketball game, this would be a barn burner. Songs like "Six In Da Morning" and "Love School" are a far, far cry from what Avant could be doing with his career, and with his awesome voice. Hopefully he'll decide to follow in the footsteps of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye instead of focusing so much on the popularity of R Kelly and Keith Sweat. We already have enough of those types.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars good cd, March 7, 2004

By	lauraB (ohio) - See all my reviews

i happened to notice this cd had a lower rating than i would have expected, i havnt listened to it in a while, so i had to get it back out to refresh myself, and as soon as i put it in it all came back:) i think this is a quality cd worth my money and if i remember right it went platinum so i guess im not the only one who liked it.I also must clear up some wrong information avant is not from chicago he owns an apartment there but he is from cleveland ohio. this is where he calls home. I would recommend this cd it is a good cd. but you have to like his style of music. i personally cant stand the song seperated. i was not an immediate avant fan because of that song but my boyfriend told me to get it so i did and i liked 'my thoughts' as a whole. i have liked all of avants cds. like every other artists out there, i skip a couple of his songs, but the cd is worth my money. but i will agree with the other reviewers in saying if you want avants cds because of the song seperated you may be disappointed because most of his music is not like this song. my favorites on ecstasy are makin good love, thinking about you, sorry,one way street and suicide. i know this stayed in my car a long time. i only carry 12 cds in the car at once and this one had a long run.

12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Avant is Da bomb, ...it so good..., March 30, 2002

By	Ryan (Long Beach, ca United States) - See all my reviews

Avant did not disappoint me with this cd, it a great cd.I like a diffrent mixture of sounds, and he gave me just that. Slow jams, mid-tempo, fast songs with some good meanings. Even if he a guy singer, he has some real true songs with some good lyrics. The ones that kinda nasty, he does it very tastefully. Unlike other male singers.

Avant album " Ectasy" is everything that you need.I think Avant is a very good singer, and performer.If ya'll don't know about Avant, get to know him and go buy his cd. Not only buy this new cd, but go by his first cd " My Thoughts".

The stand out tracks on the album to me are "One Way Street", "Making Good Love", "Suicide", and "Sorry". It just a good album..that all I can say.