Search - Ledisi :: Turn Me Loose

Great Follow-up Album to LOST & FOUND; 4 stars

Musac Critic | 08/22/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ledisi was practically an unknown artist until her 2007 album Lost & Found was nominated for two Grammy awards (Best New Artist, Best R&B Album). While she failed to win, the exposure certainly heightened her profile as an R&B singer. Calling Ledisi's second 'high profile' album 'anticipated' might be a bit of an overstatement, particularly given this stagnant economy in the music business, but it is certainly big for the previously unknown singer. LOST & FOUND was a fine album by all means, though it was "quieter" than the funkier Turn Me Loose, which shows a more ignited, even more vocally viable Ledisi. With this electrifying combination, TURN ME LOOSE is easily one of the best R&B albums of 2009, right up there with the likes Maxwell's BLACKsummers'night and most likely Whitney Houston's forthcoming I Look to You.



The album opens up with the brief, but funky "Runnin'" in which Ledisi instantly shows off her pipes. The songwriting is solid as is the production - and instant difference and departure from LOST & FOUND. "Everything Changes" keeps up the pace, adding funky horns to the mix. The production is still funkier than anything appearing on LOST & FOUND, marking a departure and experimentation on Ledisi's part. As always, the starlet sings rings around a number of her contemporaries. "Turn Me Loose", the title track is one of the funkiest of the album, hearkening old school 1960s/70s soul, though not sounding like an anachronism (aka an outdated throwback). Sure, "Turn Me Loose" would only do well on Adult R&B/Adult Contemporary radio as opposed to pop stations, but that certainly doesn't downgrade the freshness or the grand quality of this track.



As for "Higher Than This", it isn't only adult R&B at its finest, it also lays well for the hip-hop circuit with slightly fresher, more contemporary production than say "Turn Me Loose". No, it isn't the overt "hip-hop" that has pervaded radio (I mean that respectfully of course), but it does sound more directed toward a slightly younger audience - particularly in comparison to say "Alright" from Lost & Found. Ledisi sings exceptionally here, giving one of her most poignant, strong performances of TURN ME LOOSE. "Higher Than This" is just a well written, R&B song. "Alone" proves to be as well written as everything else showcasing Ledisi's prodigious pipes and more sound production work. "Love Never Changes" features a chord-progression the likes of an Al Green southern-styled soul tune. Again, it is another solid listen and nowhere near being filler.



Despite the solidity of tunes like "Alone" or "Love Never Changes" and the soulful "Stay" that would've been perfect on Solange's Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams, it is a track like the should-of-been-first-single "Knockin'" that truly steals the show. I have never heard Ledisi quite as energized or as contemporary on this R&B-rocker. I think to myself as a music enthusiast, 'why would you choose the good, but "been-there-done-that" 'Goin' Thru Changes' over such a kick-butt track as "Knockin'? The production is the best of the entire album, the background vocals during the refrain are an exceptional touch, and Ledisi sounds awesome. 5 star track, ladies and gentlemen.



"Say No" may not be equal to the greatness of "Knockin'", but it lays as well as everything does for the most part on TURN ME LOOSE. "Goin' Thru Changes" is good (not diminishing it), though I think adult R&B fans have heard this type of song more than once, which takes away from it slightly. It was a good choice for a first single, but it isn't necessarily better than "Alright" or "Think of You" from LOST & FOUND. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, I believe "Knockin'" easily 'beasts' a track like "Goin' Thru Changes".



"I Need Love" finds Ledisi again over a more contemporary backdrop with swirling synths and "big drums". Wisely, the drums don't grow as big as say a Ryan Tedder production (known for 'big' drums) where it might have sounded a bit ill-fitting with Ledisi. "I Need Love" isn't the best of TURN ME LOOSE, but it also isn't filler. "Trippin'" similarly isn't the best of TURN ME LOOSE, but it is certainly interesting if nothing else. The production is placed somewhere between the contemporary and a throwback to classic soul. "The Answer To Why" returns Ledisi back to more adult-contemporary helmed R&B, supported by acoustic guitar and strings. Again, I don't connect with "The Answer To Why" as much as the very best of the album, but I do think Ledisi sounds great. The album closes "funkily" with the fantastic "Them Changes", which proves to be worth the wait. A track like "Them Changes" could have easily appeared on a Prince, Chaka Khan, or Aretha Franklin album.



Overall, TURN ME LOOSE is a great album. There is very little to criticize. The biggest thing is that Ledisi is better when she is funky and allowed to show off her prodigious vocals. 4 stars; I hope that Ledisi receives a Grammy nomination once again."

Irresistibly energetic and funky. On Chaka's footsteps!

bollywood | 08/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ledisi is one of the finest female singers of her generation and her third major label album illustrates that on a variety of different styles but mainly raw material.

For her latest CD Ledisi has asked help from some of A-list producers and songwriters, including Raphael Saadiq,Chucky Thompson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.

Gorgeous voice with depth and emotion. A careful choice of material which shows off the vocalists ample talents.

There's a clear effortless quality to Ms. Ledisi Young's diction which is easily heard and understood above the sometimes heavy instrumentation.

There are some brilliant tracks here.

The Raphael Saadiq produced "Love Never Changes" and "Please Stay" are highlights as is "Everything Changes" and the old school R&B veteran master Rex Rideout produced title track.

It's a varied mélange of soul, jazz, rock and funk, resulting in a diverse, enjoyable but uneven album.

Too many styles (in order to please everyone and attract more buyers) make this album a little confusing. Without the label's marketing directions (and restrictions) and with some more creative freedom, with this album maybe Ledisi would have perfected her best work yet.

The quality of song craft is excellent, the vocal performances really stand out.

The musicianship is also really nice, these people know their craft.

Overall, it's a stomping album, which echoes at times the Pointer Sisters and the best Chaka Khan.

Her energy and boldness will surprise you.

Lost & Found

Funk This"

Awesome Album - Even Better Live!

Blknomad2k | Upper Marlboro, MD | 08/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased Turn Me Loose earlier today and was immediately hooked. Alone, Knockin' and Goin' Thru Changes alone made the album worth the money. Ledisi really cranked it up a notch on this album. There are jams to rock out to as well as rock with your boo.



As an added bonus, Ledisi held an album release performance at DC's National Harbour today. The show was delayed over an hour due to some rain; however, once the rain stopped Ledisi turned it out. She ripped through her latest CD and had us singing the words like the album had been out for weeks instead of hours. Not to mention she gave us a few bonus songs from her last album.



This sista is the real deal on recordings and in person. Check her out!"