ROSIE GAINES - CLOSER THAN CLOSE

First off, I'm doing something different with this review.  In the past, when I picked an album I had singles from, I'd review the singles along with the record.  I've decided to stop doing this.  Partially because I don't always have the singles and partially because there are days when reviewing a single rather than an entire record is a better option for me.  They don't take as much time.  So even though I have cd singles from this album, I'm going to save them for other entries and focus instead just on the record.

For the sake of those people who don't recognize the name, here's a little history...  Rosie is probably best known for the time she spent playing keyboards and singing backup in the first incarnation of Prince's New Power Generation band.  This album has an interesting history as well.  Many of the tracks on this disc were slated to be released on a Paisley Park solo record by Rosie called, "Concrete Jungle".  Instead, the record was shelved and Rosie floated around until Motown picked up her contract and she was able to release a version of that original cd.

Rosie has one of those great soul voices you might remember from way back in the day.  She's got natural power, control and above all else, emotion.  She puts more into her delivery than most of the popular divas of our time.  She's also a multi-instrumentalist, song writer and producer.  Most of the material she performs on this disc are written or co-written by Rosie and she plays many of the instruments as well.  But that doesn't mean she's recorded a great cd...  Musical ability and a great voice do not a masterpiece make.  So let's talk about the album.

'I Want U' is the first and final cut on the disc.  Although I'm not sure why two versions of this song are necessary, I think it does help understand the progression of this disc and how it came to be.  The original version of 'I Want U' is probably the final track on the album.  It is co-written by Prince and has a very "Prince-y" sound.  But as you get to know Rosie outside of her time with Prince, you realize she's influenced more by Bob Marley and old Motown soul records than she is by funk and modern R&B.  

Here's what I think happened:  The original tracks recorded for "Concrete Jungle" had a Paisley Park vibe all over them.  You could probably hear Prince in every single number.  When Rosie signed the cd to Motown, I think she took the basic tracks and re-arranged them to fit her own style.  That's why many of the songs recorded at Paisley Park feature additional recording at other studios.  The first version of 'I Want U' incorporates elements of Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues'.  I think this version is more in line with Rosie's solo work.  Personally, I prefer the Prince version.  I like Rosie when she works with Prince.  I like her solo too.  But this amalgam of sound is a bit on the overdone side.  

The next tracks are definitely more in line with Rosie's old school soul sound.  'Are You Ready' and 'Closer Than Close' are very similar in sound.  Both feature a mellow groove though 'Are You Ready' is more upbeat and faster in tempo.  The next track is 'Googaga' and although it maintains the quality of the music appearing on the disc so far, it does little to branch out.  It's very similar to the previous two tracks, but there is something different about this number.  It's the slowest of the three and has an almost Reggae quality to it.  It's also the first song with a story narrative.  It sets a scene rather than just expressing a sentiment.

Track 5 is the first of two Bob Marley covers.  'Turn Your Lights Down Low' and 'Concrete Jungle' are both exceptional covers.  Rosie was born to perform these cuts.  'Turn Your Lights Down Low' is the more traditional of the two with more standard instrumentation and less of a pop arrangement.  It's followed by the second Prince contribution, 'My Tender Heart'.  Now this track sounds completely out of place on this record.  Prince music often does when he doesn't have much of a presence on a disc.  It sounds like a typical Paisley Park production from the "Diamonds And Pearls" period.  It's a ballad and features a very soulful performance by Rosie.  You can feel the emotions on this track.  But it's conflicting with the rest of the album.  

The next number is a sparsely arranged bit called 'I Almost Lost You'.  It's a brilliant piece, but the real kicker is the next track.  'Slowman' kicks in with some horn playing you gotta hear to believe.  Rosie pulls out all her tricks on this number.  She scats, growls and croons her way through the track.  It's easily the sexiest, most romantic and enjoyable number on the disc.  The next song is 'Can You Handle It'; which is Rosie's contribution to modern pop.  This one has all the makings of a top 40 hit.  Sadly, it was never promoted as a single.  'Concrete Jungle' is next and it features a scattered, unorthodox hip hop arrangement that succeeds in speeding up the tempo and updating the tune.  Marley's own version is slower and more of a social cry for change, while Rosie gives us a version more in tune with the American inner city.  It's followed by 'Get The Ghetto Off Your Mind'.  This is a song I seriously can't believe Marley didn't write.  It's in step with his philosophies and echoes much of the subject matter he spent his career developing.  I'm sure he was the inspiration behind it and Rosie doesn't disappoint.  This is a song Bob Marley should've written.  The final cut is December 25th.  I'm not sure what to say here other than it's pretty good.

All in all, this is one of those cds you can put in, push play, sit back and enjoy the ride.  Every song is strong and the performance is equally satisfying.  It's a solid collection of material, though somewhat disjointed considering the out of place, but still exciting, Prince additions.  Rosie Gaines certainly burst out from behind the tailcoats of her former boss for those who were paying attention.  This is such a great disc is could easily land on a Desert Island list if I had to put one together.  If you have the chance to pick this one up, I highly suggest you do.  Even though there are radio accessible numbers here, she also gives you just as much jazz, reggae, hip hop, soul, r&b and funk.  It's a package everyone should try at least once.  My final words: EXCELLENT LAUNCH FOR A POWERHOUSE MUSICIAN!  YOU CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE.

ROSIE GAINES - CLOSER THAN CLOSE
01. I Want U (Inner City Blue) Earth Mama Version
02. Are You Ready
03. Closer Than Close
04. Googaga
05. Turn Your Lights Down Low
06. My Tender Heart
07. I Almost Lost You
08. Slowman
09. Can You Handle It
10. Concrete Jungle
11. Get The Ghetto Off Your Mind
12. December 25TH
13. I Want U (Purple Version)

MICHAEL JACKSON - OFF THE WALL

It seems like you can't mention Michael Jackson without comparing him to Prince. At least it was the case back in the 80's. I've always found that comparison fairly stupid because the two men aren't even remotely similar. What they do share in common is they are both black pop singers who broke through racial stereotypes and genre labeling to have massive commercial success. But that's where the similarities end. Prince is more of a musician... Writing, producing, playing music. Michael was more of a singer and dancer. Their music and performance styles were completely different. I was always more of a Prince fan and my sister loved Michael. She still enjoys his music to this day.

When it comes to Michael, I've never really understood the appeal. He's never been interesting to me or very exciting. I've been more fascinated with his sister than him. He does have the distinction of writing a song I wish I'd written. But that's a story for another day. Let's talk about "Off The Wall"...

Of all the Michael Jackson records out there, this is my favorite. I say it's my favorite because it has more than one song I really like on it. And it's the only one I'm inclined to own. In many ways, this CD typifies that 70's black sound for me. It's got disco, but it's mostly got that sound so many people were listening to with Motown and other R&B acts. Kool & The Gang, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson... Once again, I was more interested in the funk groups like Ohio Players, Funkadelic, Sly & The Family Stone... But I did like some of the more laid back numbers.

If I owned this album on cassette it would almost be a case of liking one side and hating the other. This is one of those 50/50 records. I like the first few tracks, 'Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough', 'Rock With You', 'Working Day And Night' and 'Off The Wall'. I also really like 'It's The Falling In Love' from what would be the second side of the record. The rest of the tracks are mediocre and do little to excite me even though I know they're hugely popular with Jackson fans. My two favorite tracks on the CD are 'Rock With You' and 'It's The Falling In Love'. These are the two numbers I will sit and sing along with at the top of my lungs. I find them both satisfying.

In the end, I've never been a huge Michael fan, but I have great respect for his talent and the success he's had in his career. I don't want to get swamped with Jackson fans giving me crap because I'm not a fan. I do enjoy some of his stuff and I'm publicly admitting it here and now. My final words: GREAT R&B DISCO SOUNDS!

MICHAEL JACKSON - OFF THE WALL
01. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
02. Rock With You
03. Working Day And Night
04. Get On The Floor
05. Off The Wall
06. Girlfriend
07. She's Out Of My Life
08. I Can't Help It
09. It's The Falling In Love
10. Burn This Disco Out

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PEACE BEYOND PASSION

This will be a totally unfair review because I absolutely love this CD. I picked it up originally because Wendy Melvoin of Wendy & Lisa worked on the disc and I had to have it in my collection. This was my first exposure to Me'Shell and let me tell you, I became an addict. She's phenomenal. From the opening instrumental, 'The Womb', she sets a beat and style that plays throughout the entire disc. It's so different from her debut disc it's scary. She goes on to change her sound virtually every time she releases an album. 'The Way' is an amazing song about racism from a religious standpoint. She wonders how to find appreciation for herself and confidence when the image of God she's constantly subjected to is a white man under who's name her forefathers were enslaved. It's quit astounding. The music is laid back and funky while being completely in tune with the message at the same time. And it just gets better from there, boys and girls. On 'Deuteronomy: Niggerman', she tackles modern day fidelity by proclaiming that all she's ever wanted was a man who could be true. This tune is more in line with her debut record and would have fit in nicely there. Still, it holds up on this release as well.

'Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart' is another beautiful number that's extremely melodic and intense lyrically. The standout number is the next in line. 'Leviticus: Faggot' is a song about being gay and the tragedy many gay kids face by their strict religious surroundings. She tells the story of a boy who embraces a lifestyle he felt was his only option because his fanatic parents kicked him out when they find out he's gay. She broaches the subject and then continues it with 'Mary Magdalene', another beautiful tune in which she expresses her love and commitment to another woman. She imagines them getting married by jumping the broom. An incredible song. 'God Shiva' is a song written with Wendy and is the one tune that while staying religious, opens the listener up to alternate beliefs outside of Christianity. She follows it up with 'Who Is He And What Is He To You' a Bill Withers cover. As a female vocalist singing the song, the tune takes on a very bisexual flavor. She's asking her girlfriend about a guy she's seeing her with. 'Stay', 'Bittersweet' and 'A Tear And A Smile' are all wonderful tunes and even though Wendy only plays guitar on 'Bittersweet', all three songs have a Wendy & Lisa feel to them. The final track, 'Make Me Wanna Holler' is based on Marvin Gaye's 'Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)'. She's speaks a lyric over the music telling a story of a troubled youth.

I could really go on and on about this disc in even more detail but I'm kinda pressed for time today and I need to get moving, so I won't babble. But I will say this in closing... If I was stranded on a desert island and I had this cd I'd be a very happy soul. That is if I had a solar cd player. Hehehehe. It incorporates so many elements of music I find intoxicating. I love the juxtaposition of religion with sexual orientation... This album is so important on so many levels. I wish more people would have picked up this disc and embraced Ndegeocello's call to understanding and compassion. She is a true poet and prophet.

My final words: ESSENTIAL LISTENING!

ME'SHELL NDEGEOCELLO - PEACE BEYOND PASSION
01. The Womb
02. The Way
03. Deuteronomy: Niggerman
04. Ecclesiastes: Free My Heart
05. Leviticus: Faggot
06. Mary Magdalene
07. God Shiva
08. Who Is He And What Is He To You
09. Stay
10. Bittersweet
11. A Tear And A Smile
12. Make Me Wanna Holler