Search - Phyllis Hyman :: Somewhere in My Lifetime

Second Time Around

Jesse H. Melchor | Chicago, IL USA | 12/07/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Phyllis Hyman heralds a triumphant return with her sophomore effort. Although currently available as an import compact disc, perhaps Arista/BMG will soon consider a U.S. re-release. After her first effort, her previous record label, Buddah Records, was acquired by Arista. Many of the songs on her second effort had been recorded during her sessions with Buddah. As a result, Phyllis continued to soar upon the divinity that she established on her first album. She successfully retains her conviction, integrity, and flavorings throughout while bestowing her repertoire with additional priceless treasures."Kiss You All Over" opens the set and finds the Sophisticated Lady crooning her soulful rendition of the song originally performed by Exile. In the process, she makes the tune all her own as she confidently expresses her loving affection. The mid-tempo approach to the song compliments her conviction, vocal delivery and intentions.In an arrangement with Arista, Barry Manilow produced the title track "Somewhere In My Lifetime" and Phyllis later shared her vocals on his 1987 "Swing Street" album. The resulting collaboration with Barry produced this dramatic big band ballad, proving once again that Phyllis can effortlessly commiserate with many genres of music and retain her artistic integrity. Bask in the delight of the big band brass...even it cannot smother the sheer power of her voice. Her vocal prowess is commanding and filled with conviction that will not be denied. It remained a curtain closer during her live performances of the time.A true quiet storm offering comes in the form of "The Answer Is You," an enchanting, delicate ballad filled with lush orchestration. The song was featured in the feature film "Set It Off," further testifying to its captivating appeal. Phyllis croons the lyrics softly, vocally dancing from its melody to its subtle bridge. Her vocal delivery is one of simple elegance, enough to render the listener spellbound, until she belts out the higher octaves at the song's end. It has been reported that this remained a personal favorite of Phyllis' for many years. Truly, it is a tune with the ability to render one breathless, and leaving you wondering why she was not more successful in terms of music chart rankings."Gonna Make Changes" creeps in on the listener and is filled with a moody ambience. Written by Phyllis, she offers hope, reminding that there is indeed strength in numbers. Despite the somber arrangement, she excels in both her message and passion for change. Conversely, "Living Inside Your Love" seizes the listener by the collar from the opening musical instrumentation; the electric guitar riff enticing to the ear. There's a funky 70's mid-tempo groove goin' on here and Phyllis makes herself right at home. She once again demonstrates her musical chameleon-like inflections, embracing the tune with her alluring alto range and capping off her performance with her scatting ability. So good, I'm talkin' about so good...A gentle, but stern warning is expressed on "Be Careful (How You Treat My Love)." No doubt, experiences have been endured and the lyrics indicate that she will settle for nothing less than emotional fulfillment. Good love is truly hard to find, and her warnings and reminders are to be heeded. Once again, Phyllis provides a rich, thought-provoking lyric that is truly timeless.As with "Was Yesterday Such A Long Time Ago" before it, the tender "Here's That Rainy Day" returns Phyllis to the music realm where she truly reigns supreme...the torch song. The lyrics wallow in a relationship gone sour through a simply arranged, piano driven ballad echoes the thunder in her voice. Phyllis delivers a somber and moving interpretation as reality sinks in that things are not what they had seemed.In closing, Phyllis Hyman once again delivers an effort worthy of her vocal prowess and expanding repertoire. The material of substance, elegance, sophistication and diversity increase the interest and anticipation level of a female vocalist, musically mature beyond her years."

A classic from a classy lady....

Tom Conroy | Pittsburgh, Pa. USA | 08/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This sophomore effort from Phyllis Hyman is full of songs that capture her haunting alto voice, especially the Barry Manilow produced "Somewhere In My Lifetime", an achingly beautiful ballad that will make you a fan for life. Other soulful ballads include "The Answer Is You", a story of love found, finally, and "Be Careful", a sexy warning to treat her right. "Gonna Make Changes" reflects Phyllis' social views, and is a straight up anthem for bettering the world. More upbeat are "So Strange" where she growls and scats and whispers, and "Looking for a Loving", an infectious dance tune, and "Living Inside Your Love", another dance tune with a hint of the islands. Phyllis shows she can rock with the best of them with "Kiss You All Over", an old Exile tune that she transforms with a sexy soulful turn. "Soon Come Again" is a plea for returned love that she elevates to pure pop. But my favorite tune here is a beautiful jazz standard, "Here's That Rainy Day", a song perfectly suited to Phyllis. It captures her passion, her inflection, her perfect diction and she wraps her voice around it and simply OWNS the song. This body of work is rare and precious and a must for anyone who appreciates the finest of female vocalists. Phyllis is no longer with us, but with this CD you can hear her, young and eager and in fine voice. Part of a precious legacy of music she left for us."

Flawed but still a good album by phyllis

R Stevens | St Albans, Herts, United Kingdom | 06/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Get these phyllis albums while you can as they were issued in 1999. only 50,000 copies were pressed in japan"