Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Kindred Delivers Once Again!, October 1, 2005
R&B is already a super competitive market, although some music industry analysts would probably disagree with that statement. The list is endless when you think about all the soul artists that tried to even catch a break or those that managed to get one or two hit singles only to have lackluster sales and dropped from their labels. That's one thing that I love about Hidden Beach Recordings. Their whole focus is to get the word out about new artists and actually build a career instead of looking for somebody with one hot song that will generate millions of dollars in revenue for the company. From Jill Scott to Lina to the Unwrapped collections, Hidden Beach has done an outstanding job of actually standing behind the careers of their artists. Thus is the case for Kindred, a husband-and-wife team who had modest success with their debut album Surrender To Love with the hit song "Far Away" and the modest success of the second single "Stars." An expansion of the style of music they introduced on their first album, the dynamic duo returns with the album In This Life Together.
The group has a knack for making some of the best 'Grown and Sexy' music there is to enjoy out here. "Thru Love" is a great example of the quality that Aja and Fatin have put in their body of work. Another classic couple song entitled "In This Life Together" has Aja and Fatin trading verses on how much the other has meant to them. "Woman First" is a good song from Aja for any lady out there that doesn't know her worth in the world to embrace. "Where Would I Be" is the first single from the album, and begs the question that many couples ask themselves from time to time. "As Of Yet" is a song that reflects on the goals that everybody wishes to attain one day. This sentiment continues on "Struggle No More" with the help of Grammy Award-winning artist India.Arie and the introspective song "Who's Gonna Comfort You."
But Kindred has other elements to their style besides those mentioned previously. "Message To Marvin" is sort of like the 2005 version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" and "Mercy, Mercy Me" with an emphasis on relaying to the late R&B crooner that things haven't changed at all since the recording of his song. From being carted off to a worthless war to the silly shenanigans that we see all the time with celebrities and people on the streets, "Message To Marvin" is a song that needs to be heard by the masses. They also change up and do more entertaining songs like "Turn It Up" with rapper Archie Eversoul and the hilarious "Sneak A Freak" where they tell a story of having to creep around just to get a little nookie after putting the kids to bed!
The rest of the album has conventional Kindred songs that most will tie closely with Surrender To Love, like "Do You Remember," "Let It All Go," and "My Time" where they include their children towards the end of the disc. But by no means are these below average songs, but rather the sound we are more accustom to hearing from Aja and Fatin. Hopefully In This Life Together will prove to be a breakout album for a group that is most deserving of everybody's attention. And if you ever get a chance to see Kindred in concert like my wife and I did two years ago, you're in for a real treat...but be sure to go with a significant other to get the whole experience.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD from Kindred The Family Soul, November 3, 2005
Hidden Beach recording artists Kindred-The Family Soul are back with a brand new CD. Kindred released their debut CD several years ago. The disc was critically acclaimed and the husband and wife duo won a legion of fans--especially among "the grown folks." Kindred The Family Soul don't sing songs about kicking it at the club, sitting on spinners, and every other song doesn't feature the hottest rapper of the moment.
Kindred picked up where they left off with their latest CD In This Life Together. The songs on this CD seem very personal to Aja and her husband and partner Fatim. The current single and one of the most reflective songs on the album is "Where Would I Be-The Question" in which Fatin ponders what his life would be like if he had never met his mate. Any couple can reflect on this question. The themes on the album are truly family oriented. "Sneak A Freak" tackles the common but little talked about issue of couples trying to find intimate time with one another. When Fatin sings, "Put the kids to bed," most couples with children will be able to relate. On the song "Woman First" Aja praises the way her man makes her feel. The song "Let It All Go" is a bit much for me but it's a great song about a man who has many burdens on his shoulders. Everytime I hear it I picture a grown man crying and I'm just not into that kinda thing. It's a great CD about love, life and family. Guest artists on the album include India Arie and Archie Eversoul. The CD jacket includes all of the lyrics, which is a good thing. They are a really great group, it's unfortunate they don't get more exposure in the entertainment industry.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
No "Second CD Disappointment Here!, October 10, 2005
PEACE:
You know how great a new group's FIRST CD is? You get so excited when you hear they have a second one coming out, then too many times, you are like "YUCK!" Well, NOT THE CASE with Kindred's second CD!
It's really PAST TIME for a Black group to come out with some PRO-family, PRO-commitment, PRO-monogamy lyrics. Then they have the NERVE to be husband and wife!? This is a wonderful and refreshing change from that sea of "booty music" that seems to top the charts.
I highly recommend this "family friendly" CD. Even if it's just you listening to it alone in your car, your brain will thank you!
Go 'head Aja and Fatin! May God BLESS YOU to make beautiful music together for many many years to come! (And feel free to record it all and share it with the world).
LM
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