SOUNDING Off. - rhythm and blues and gospel sound recordings - Brief Article - Review - sound recording review

Ebony, June, 2000 by Lynn Norment

The Best In Recorded Music

LUCY Pearl makes an audacious debut with a self-titled CD (Pookie/Beyond Music), and the three innovative principles flaunt their musical roots. Comprised of vocalist/songwriter Dawn Robinson from En Vogue, producer/ songwriter/singer Raphael Saadiq of Tony Toni Tone, and producer/ mix master Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, the three synchronize their talents to create a fresh, upbeat sound that has diverse appeal. On the 15 tracks, the trio offers variety, from the easy-flowing "Trippin'," to the sizzling, urgent "Dance Tonight," the emphatic, poignant "Can't Stand Your Mother," and the danceable "Don't Mess With My Man." Q-Tip and Snoop Dogg rap on "You." Throughout the jam session, Robinson and Saadiq's vocals blend effortlessly, and at times there are echoes of the best of En Vogue and Tony Toni Tone.

With B2K: Prophetic Songs of Promise (CGI), William Becton And Friends deliver another outstanding set of urban gospel songs that is sure to move the heart, the hands and the feet. He leads off with the emotional, all-encompassing "Bigger," a song that reminds you of his phenomenal hit, "Encouraged," followed by "In Him" and "He's In the Midst of It All," both great songs of praise. Ali Woodson, formerly of the Temptations, sings lead on several songs, and joins Becton on the testimonial "Still Encouraged." The uptempo "No Good Thing" is spiced with hip-hop, while "Get It Right" has an R&B flavor. Becton, who wrote all but one of the songs, updated the old standard "Sweet Bye and Bye," and added gospel flair to another, the Isley Brothers' "Harvest For the World." On this and several songs, Rita Becton and Derrick Speight do a great job with lead vocals against Becton's "talk vox." Becton is an ordained minister, songwriter, producer, vocalist and radio announcer. All these talents come together on this recording.

Tamar Braxton steps out of the shadow of her famous sister with her debut solo recording, Tamar (DreamWorks), and demonstrates that she, too, has what it takes to soar solo. Toni's Younger sister shows that she can be just as daring and sassy, and the family vocal genes are quite evident. Tamar kicks off with the sassy "Get None," featuring J.D. and Amil, which she asserts refers to attention, not sex. It's followed by "Your Room" and "No Disrespect." The mid-tempo songs are "blunt and to the point," and together they reflect the many moods, styles and flavors of Tamar in this "coming of age" soundtrack. Tamar co-wrote several songs and worked with a host of top producers --Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliott, Mya, Christopher (Tricky) Stewart, Tim & Bob, and Delite--to create this project.

ALSO NOTED: Toni Braxton, The Heat (LaFace); En Vogue, Masterpiece Theater (Elektra); Mya, Fear of Flying (Interscope); Ol Skool, R.S.V.P. (Universal); Les Go, Dan Gna (Juna Records); Sam Salter, The Little Black Book (LaFace); Dwayne Wiggins, Eyes Never Lie (Motown/ Universal); Romeo Must Die: The Album, featuring Aaliyah, DMX, Ginuwine, Destiny's Child (Virgin); LL Cool J, The G.O.A.T. (Island/Def Jam); Easy Mo Bee, Now or Never: Odyssey 2000 (Priority); D.B.A., Doing Business As ... (Bombay); Big Pun, Yeeeah Baby (Columbia); and Al Green, Greatest Gospel Hits (EMI Gospel).