ChuckD
The Gay Lord of Freestyle
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2001
- Messages
- 24,878
- Reaction score
- 37
- Points
- 48
- Age
- 53
- Location
- Essex County, New Jersey
Hiya Clubfreestylers!
I'm far from what would be considered a "freestyle expert" but I did make three recent purchases, and since people are always asking "Where's new material?" I thought that I'd make an attempt at reviewing these new CDs. I'm posting one review tonight, the others will follow this weekend.
Keep in mind that this is only my opinion, and what I like, you may not, and what I don't like may be your faves.
The topic of this thread is "This Is Me", the new full length CD from Nyasia.
"This Is Me" opens with a remix of Nya's debut hit, "Now & Forever". While Nya has recorded other hits, "N & F" has always been a favorite of mine, and I've heard various remixes of it. This mix sounds fresh, but retains a flavor of the original version, instead of being a radical departure (ex: house mix).
The next song is a remake of the early 80s classic "99 1/2" by Carol Lynne Townes. Nyasia's update is a duet with recording artist Wendy. I know that some people are dead set against remakes. I enjoy them, especially if the artist can make it "their own" and both Nyasia and Wendy shine on this duet. Their voices sound great together.
Track three is called "Broken Heart" and features Pure Pleazure. Just after the song starts, we hear the artists shout themselves out, which seems to happen quite often now. I've wondered why freestyle artists don't do it with their songs, so when I heard "Nyasia, Pure Pleazure" I just smiled. I hadn't heard new material from Pure Pleazure, and they sound in good form here with Nya. Nice beats and vocal effects that don't overtake the real vocals on the track.
Track 4 is "Tell Me Again". This track is one of my faves on the CD. It sounds new, but I can see myself dancing to this one "back in the day". I love how the beat stops at almost the three minute mark, and Nya's voice is front and center.
Track 5 is called "I Don't Want Your Love". This track is not a favorite of mine. The groove is slower, and sensual, but I'm not really feeling this one. The lyrics fit the groove, as the song is about sex, not rejecting someone. I think that if that perhaps if the lyrics were about seducing someone that was "loved" it may read differently to me.
Track 6 is "Betray", and at over 5 minutes, it's the longest track on the CD. The song was written by Safire, and features Vanessa Conde, Edwin Ramos and Heartbrake on background vocals. There is something about this song that is very familiar to me, but I can't place my finger on it. There are no samples on it, but it reminds me of another song, and I can't recall which one. LOL
Track 7 is a remix of "Who's Got Your Love". Much like "Now & Forever", the remix is not a radical departure, but still sounds fresh. The vocals (in my opinion) sound clearer than on the original MicMac release.
Track 8 is "Taking Back" and could be considered Nya's "I Will Survive". I rank this one up there with "Tell Me Again" as one of my fave tracks here. Great message/lyrics in the song about taking back one's dignity and power.
Track 9 is "Rectify". Tight beats, Nya sounds great on this, and edits by DJ Paradise make the song a winner.
Track 10 is "Physical Attraction" (Remix). Some fans may recognize this song from the Carlos Berrios cd "Don't Look Back". I have to say, I like this remix better than the version that is on the previously released CD. I think it has a harder edge to it
Track 10 is "Please Don't Wake Me". I felt that this song was one of the most unique sounding ones on the CD, and Nya's voice has a sweet quality to it here. We get to hear more multi edits from DJ Paradise as well, which is always a good thing!
Track 12 is a "Breakaton Mix" of "Broken Heart" which features Pure Pleazure. Not my style, and I stick to the original when it comes to this song. It sounds very different from the original, but doesn't do anything for me.
The "Bonus Editz" section are extreme (in a good way) remixes of "Now & Forever", "Wake Me", and "Betrayed".
The out takes feature Nya's & Paradise' daughter Kellirose singing "Who's Got Your Love", and messages of support from other industry people to Nyasia.
All and all, this CD is a great listen, and I was definitely not disappointed with it.
You can purchase a download version, or the CD from the Tazmania website.
http://www.tazmaniarecords.com/html_pages/store.html
I'm far from what would be considered a "freestyle expert" but I did make three recent purchases, and since people are always asking "Where's new material?" I thought that I'd make an attempt at reviewing these new CDs. I'm posting one review tonight, the others will follow this weekend.
Keep in mind that this is only my opinion, and what I like, you may not, and what I don't like may be your faves.
The topic of this thread is "This Is Me", the new full length CD from Nyasia.
"This Is Me" opens with a remix of Nya's debut hit, "Now & Forever". While Nya has recorded other hits, "N & F" has always been a favorite of mine, and I've heard various remixes of it. This mix sounds fresh, but retains a flavor of the original version, instead of being a radical departure (ex: house mix).
The next song is a remake of the early 80s classic "99 1/2" by Carol Lynne Townes. Nyasia's update is a duet with recording artist Wendy. I know that some people are dead set against remakes. I enjoy them, especially if the artist can make it "their own" and both Nyasia and Wendy shine on this duet. Their voices sound great together.
Track three is called "Broken Heart" and features Pure Pleazure. Just after the song starts, we hear the artists shout themselves out, which seems to happen quite often now. I've wondered why freestyle artists don't do it with their songs, so when I heard "Nyasia, Pure Pleazure" I just smiled. I hadn't heard new material from Pure Pleazure, and they sound in good form here with Nya. Nice beats and vocal effects that don't overtake the real vocals on the track.
Track 4 is "Tell Me Again". This track is one of my faves on the CD. It sounds new, but I can see myself dancing to this one "back in the day". I love how the beat stops at almost the three minute mark, and Nya's voice is front and center.
Track 5 is called "I Don't Want Your Love". This track is not a favorite of mine. The groove is slower, and sensual, but I'm not really feeling this one. The lyrics fit the groove, as the song is about sex, not rejecting someone. I think that if that perhaps if the lyrics were about seducing someone that was "loved" it may read differently to me.
Track 6 is "Betray", and at over 5 minutes, it's the longest track on the CD. The song was written by Safire, and features Vanessa Conde, Edwin Ramos and Heartbrake on background vocals. There is something about this song that is very familiar to me, but I can't place my finger on it. There are no samples on it, but it reminds me of another song, and I can't recall which one. LOL
Track 7 is a remix of "Who's Got Your Love". Much like "Now & Forever", the remix is not a radical departure, but still sounds fresh. The vocals (in my opinion) sound clearer than on the original MicMac release.
Track 8 is "Taking Back" and could be considered Nya's "I Will Survive". I rank this one up there with "Tell Me Again" as one of my fave tracks here. Great message/lyrics in the song about taking back one's dignity and power.
Track 9 is "Rectify". Tight beats, Nya sounds great on this, and edits by DJ Paradise make the song a winner.
Track 10 is "Physical Attraction" (Remix). Some fans may recognize this song from the Carlos Berrios cd "Don't Look Back". I have to say, I like this remix better than the version that is on the previously released CD. I think it has a harder edge to it
Track 10 is "Please Don't Wake Me". I felt that this song was one of the most unique sounding ones on the CD, and Nya's voice has a sweet quality to it here. We get to hear more multi edits from DJ Paradise as well, which is always a good thing!
Track 12 is a "Breakaton Mix" of "Broken Heart" which features Pure Pleazure. Not my style, and I stick to the original when it comes to this song. It sounds very different from the original, but doesn't do anything for me.
The "Bonus Editz" section are extreme (in a good way) remixes of "Now & Forever", "Wake Me", and "Betrayed".
The out takes feature Nya's & Paradise' daughter Kellirose singing "Who's Got Your Love", and messages of support from other industry people to Nyasia.
All and all, this CD is a great listen, and I was definitely not disappointed with it.
You can purchase a download version, or the CD from the Tazmania website.
http://www.tazmaniarecords.com/html_pages/store.html
