Shine

Estelle

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 29, 2008)
• Original Release Date: April 29, 2008
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B00142Q7H8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,095 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.co.uk

Award-winning British artist Estelle never got her just desserts for her 2004 debut album The 18th Day. Though the record was a critical success, it failed to make the mainstream splash many had hoped for. Her sophomore project, Shine, seems hell bent on avoiding the same fate. Backed up by a coterie of high profile US starlets--Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Mark Ronson and Kanye West--Shine has surefire commercial success written all over it; though that's not to say Estelle has sold out. Despite the high-impact American-style production, Shine remains reassuringly British. Estelle's West London twang is as sharp as ever, and even Kanye drops rhymes about "WAGS" and "London Boys" (see single "American Boy"). It's every bit as diverse as its predecessor too, featuring dancehall party jams ("Magnificent", produced by Mark Ronson and featuring Kardinal Offishall), the will.i.am produced "Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)" (which uses a twisted up sample from Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "I Put a Spell on You") to lovers' rock ("Come Over") and, of course, some love ballads too, such as "Substitute Lover", overseen by Wyclef. A solid all-round follow up, Shine should give Estelle the commercial success she deserves. --Danny McKenna

Product Description

The UK’s finest, multiple award-winning artist Estelle is back with a brand new album on a brand new label. Signed by US ‘Soul Sensation’ John Legend to his Homeschool label, the album is a joint venture between Homeschool and Atlantic Records.

"I have known John for a while now...we worked on my first album 18th day before he was signed. He featured on "Hey Girl," played piano on "Free," and appeared in the video. As I went to do my second album I asked him to help exec-produce it. As I progressed with it, I left my label and he said he’d sign me and here we are today. We always make great songs together. While I like and listen to a lot of musicians - there aren’t many I respect on a level to help me write songs or upgrade/push me as an artist...but John is one of them."

The album features collaborations with the likes of Kanye West, Will.I.Am, Wyclef Jean, Mark Ronson, Ceelo, Swizz Beatz who are just some of the ‘hitmakers’ that Estelle has been in the studio with...and of course, John Legend.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sassy rap and soft vocals., April 29, 2008

By	Pedder (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

For some reason, things never really took off for this talented young UK soul singer when she first emerged four years ago, all freshness and light.
Unwilling to settle for also-ran status, she upped sticks to the States and made some powerful friends.
Now resident in New York, the London lass gets an international makeover. Cue Kanye West guest slot, John Legend in the control room, with Will.i.am, Mark Ronson, Wyclef and Cee-Lo lending helping hands. With that sort of support and Estelle's smarts and agility - embracing everything from summery funk to Lily Allen lovers' rock - she can hardly fail. And, despite this being a bit heavy on production and light on substance, she doesn't.
Although the album includes mainly smooth American-sounding production, Estelle's gritty Englishness hasn't entirely vanished and she marks her personality neatly across all 12 tracks on this album: even with the stateside makeover Estelle seems to be sticking to her roots and definitely pushes the bar in making "Shine" as unique as possible
Kanye West makes a playful cameo on her current single, "American Boy".
Kicking off with a spunky opening, it is a track which clearly draws on many influences: velvety vocals and a certain 1940's dancehall feel make for some smash hit ingredients.
The songstress proves she is a lady of many talents by providing the record with a speckle of sassy rapping.
Not instantly catchy, take a few listens and you will be hooked on the Estelle vibe.
Refreshingly, despite the Amerie/Rihanna-style R&B pop of opening track "Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)", Estelle has remained true to her very British sweet ska soul sound on numerous tracks, and the entire album is a testament to her breezy, effortless ability to bring a host of musical styles under her soul-pop umbrella.
"Shine" is a truly original combination of sounds mixed with sassy rap lyrics and soft vocals, there guarantees to be one that everyone will take pleasure in hearing : it certainly shines bright enough, to make you consider pulling out the shades.
The 18th Day

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What?!, May 12, 2008

By	T. M. Wiggins "Nu Jersi Sun" (ATL- GA- USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I stumbled upon this sister right here one day two weeks ago and knew then no matter what the album had to be purchased. When a decision like that is made, it can be a major set up for disappointment. But, not in this case. I made my purchase the day after the album came out; made a copy for my Mom before I left NC to hit the road; hit the road and popped the CD in.

By the fourth song, I was letting my sister, cousin and two friends know this was a wise purchase they needed to make before the week was over--- scratch that--- before the day was over. My sister and cousin said it was on the list. By the time I got to GA, I had listened to the cd twice. By the time I got to Atlanta, I was putting the CD back in. By the next day my sister had it and had listened to it twice.

The album on a whole is very entertaining and enjoyable. It was a pleasure to listen to the different aspects of R&B, Hip Hop flavor and bit of ragga. Remember Lauren Hill's MisEducation album? Remember how hyped your were when to put it in (minus the classroom interludes)? Without fail, this is one of the better music purchases of today when the R&B, Hip Hop genres are trying to bounce back from the crappy music of the past decade. From start to finish, I was with Estelle, never realizing how fast 40min is and hitting repeat on the stereo. I want to say the cut with CeeLo is the best but if I listen to the album right now, I might change my mind again. I really like it all.

Enjoy your purchase.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Amazing!!!!, May 5, 2008

By	Chantelle W. Bateman "HuneyBee" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I work for a company that regularly recieves CDs from new and upcomming artist. Most aren't worth the shrink wrap and postage they came in, but by the third track of "Shine" I was ripping the CD to put it on my MP3 player. Estelle's voice and sound are reminiscent of Lauren Hill's "Miseducation" but it's certainly no copy cat. The LP is well produced and creates an incredible mix of generes (a little hip-hop, soul, jazz, and reggae). I got my copy for free, and I just bought one for a friend. Estelle is definitely soul sincere!