Search - Oleta Adams :: Circle of One

Powerful vocals combined with a unique fusion = Winner

L.A. Scene | Indian Trail, NC USA | 05/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Before I got "Circle of One" by Oleta Adams, I was already an Oleta Adams fan. Oleta was a major part of Tears For Fears' third album "The Seeds of Love". So when I found out Oleta Adams now had put out a solo album, I was very excited. This album lived fully up to my expectations and more. Oleta delivers some powerful vocals with a unique fusion of jazz, soul, and gospel-ique music that makes this album a real winner in my book.Oleta Adams was discovered by Tears For Fears frontmen Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith singing in a Kansas City nightclub during the "Songs From the Big Chair Tour". Soon Oleta was brought into the band and became a major force on the "The Seeds of Love" album. She shares co-vocals on the Tears For Fears songs "Woman in Chains" and "Badman's Song" - both Tears For Fears classics. Oleta also toured with Tears For Fears in 1990. It only became natural when it was time for her solo album to be put out - the Tears For Fears factor is in full force. Roland Orzabal would be the producer, co-writer of the song "Rhythm of Life", and a musician on just about every track. Roland would bring over Nicky Holland, a co-writer and tour member on "The Seeds of Love" and solid solo artist in her own right. Nicky would co-write "Rhythm of Life" and "Will We Ever Learn". Tears For Fears tour member William Gregory would play Sax on "Circle of One" and Tears For Fears tour member Neil Taylor would play guitars. In Tears For Fears, Roland Orzabal is known for being a perfectionist. (Who would have thought a guy from Bath would produce a Soul/Jazz/Gospel-ique like album!) As a producer of "Circle of One", Roland doesn't miss a beat here putting together a product that is top notch. If you are a piano and keyboards fan, you won't be disappointed. Finally renowned background vocalist Tessa Niles (some consider the best in the business) does background vocals on many of the tracks.There are obvious comparisions between Anita Baker and Brenda Russell that have been made with Oleta Adams. For me, Oleta beats the 2 of them when it comes to vocals. There are 2 themes that dominate this collection - Oleta's powerful vocals and the jazz, soul, gospel influence. Speaking of Brenda Russell, Oleta does a cover of her song "Get Here" which actually was Oleta's first top 10 hit. Oleta does a tremendous job on this song, but it actually is one of the weaker songs compared to some of the others included on this album. It is also worth noting that Oleta wrote 5 songs on the album and plays piano/keyboards on just about every track.The best song is "I've Got to Sing My Song". When Oleta toured with Tears For Fears, she did this live as a solo song with Roland doing background vocals. This song blew away the fans on the Tour and Oleta immediately earned their respect. I was thrilled that this song was also on the album. Oleta's powerful voice fused with the gospel influence is perfect - combined with Roland and Tessa Niles' doing background vocals. If this were released as a single first, I think it would have been a #1 for Oleta. Another solid track is the Jazz infused "I've Got a Right" - great jazz instrumentals combined with Oleta's vocals and yes a bit of a gospel-ique element that will have you clapping your hands. "Will We Ever Learn" is another song in which Adams' soulful voice is going to be center stage on this song. Other worthy songs include "Rhythm of Life" and the title track. "Rhythm of Life" also has a very cool jazzy theme to it.One disappointment is the liner notes. It does a good job at listing the credits for each song. It doesn't provide any lyrics and that is a shame. Another disappointment is the CD was recorded in AAD format. . When CD's first came out in the 80s, they were recorded three ways: 1) AAD - Analog Recording, Analog Mix, Digital Transfer; 2) ADD - "Analog Recording, Digital Mix, Digital Transfer", 3) DDD - Digital Recording, Digital Mix, Digital Transfer. Although there isn't anything wrong with the quality of the recording, I can only imagine how good Oleta would have sounded if it were a DDD recording.This is a very good CD and a great way to hear something a little different. I think there is something for everyone - highly recommended."

Tremendous start

Walter Goodman | kingston, ontario | 12/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like another reviewer, I was a fan of Oleta Adams from the first time i heard her on the Tears for Fears album 'Seeds of Love'. This album has been a favourite of mine for years. Usually I agree with Stephen Thomas Erlwine's reviews but I believe he missed the mark on this album. I disagree that this is a dated sounding album (unfortunately a statement I can not make when speaking of her follow up albums). This album sounds as beautiful and understated now as it did then. A personal favourite of mine is 'everything must change'. A gentle and slow track that shows her voice can soar and hang onto notes for dear life and then dip into quiet lushness. I only wish that her future albums were less - well just less because with Oleta, less is definately more."

PLEASE GIVE HER ROOM...

Bartolome Cabezas Jr. | Sydney, AUSTRALIA | 11/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oleta's probably one of those singers you listen to once then you get the message...she is a SINGER. She is not some person packaged by a recording giant and asked to sing songs that would make money or entice people to be like HER...she just plainly sings and oh boy does she do it quite right.First heard her on the remake of Sir Elton John's Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me ( i always have bad vibes with remakes but this one is awesome) and there was indeed justice on what she's done on that song. Then i discovered her to be the woman screaming beautifully on the background of Tears for Fears (another no-non-sense band) song Woman In Chains.The element of Gospel on each tracks here are outrightly obvious but definitely it is not a bad thing...she doesn't sound like she's preaching or asking everyone to rise up and raise both hands...she just wants you to listen to her.Of this beautifully crafted album....the stand out song is You've Got To Give Me Room...a woman's cry for her rightful space in quite a crowded relationship. She knows how to growl to send here message without being annoying and she can almost whisper...a lovely lullaby.Wonder why she's not mainstream??? I dunno myself but she should be alright as people will probably remember her for the voice and not for an image...think along the lines of Randy Crawford or Deniece Williams...equally great singers.This is her debut and since then I have been buying and now almost complete on her albums. Can't wait to listen to her latest one.Thanks Oleta for the music..."