I'm a HUGE Teena Marie fan and I was a bit underwhelmed with this new album. I feel that her last CD( "La Dona") was much better, even though I wasnt head over heels over that release either. I think the problem is that #1 there's way too many ballads, #2 Teena is trying to sound too young. Now, she's always been on the cutting edge of urban music. "Square Biz", "Help Youngblood Get to the Freaky Party", "Here's Looking At You" but this brand of r&b/hip hop fusion that she's doing as of late just doesnt ring true and honest coming from Teena. On the "Cruise Control" track she did with Smokey, she was talking about "Lean Back, just lean back" (of course taken from that G Unit "song"). Teena is above that. Also, "Ooo Wee" is underwhelming also. I swear I hear shades of her songs "Now That I Have You" and "De Ja Vu" all in that song.
Also, I miss the "musical advetures" Teena used to take us on. There was a time when you could hear so many different sounds in Teena's music. (i.e. "You Make Love In Springtime, ALL of the "It Must Be Magic" CD, "Battucada Suite", "I'm Gonna Have My Cake and Eat It Too.") but now its like she's just r&b/urban sounding. Why? Does she think that wont "sell?"

anyways


The CD dont really become engaging until track 10, "Somebody Just Like You" and not surprisingly, that song has an old-soul flavor to it. Teena just DEMOLISHES that song in old school Teena Marie fashion. You would think that you were listening to the ROBBERY album based on that song. Track 11 is also stellar. Its called "You Blow Me Away." I beleive its the tribute to Rick James because she mentions how much she loves him at the end, etc. That song is ALSO classic Teena (circa 1980/1981).
Track 13 and 15 ("Romantica" and "Ecstacy") are also good tracks, but Teena saves the BEST track for last. Track 16, "Resilient(Sapphire)." Backed by keys and a guitar, Teena(with help from her daughter) sings a somewhat melancholy(yet liberating) song that she dedicates to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
That song has to be one of the most beautiful songs Teena has ever written/recorded.

Of the 16 tracks,
the ones I listen to are:
Track 1 (God Has Created)
Track 10 (Somebody Just Like You)
Track 11 (You Blow Me Away)
Track 13 (Romantica)
Track 15 (Ecstacy)
Track 16 (Resilient: Sapphine)

but those 6 songs are SO good that its worth the purchase price of the CD!

Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of "Sapphire" from Teena Marie. This lady is so so underrated as a complete artist. We throw around the word musical genius quite a bit but this lady truly deserves the mantra. If there is going to be a better record from start to finish this year I want to hear it right now! Damn Lady T is smokin' on this disc!

GREAT REVIEW! Yes, there are too many ballads here. There is no Lovergirl. There is no Square Biz. Many of the songs are too similar. And when a woman Teena's age talks about love being "gangsta", it's a bit much.

But...

This is a NEW Teena Marie album, not too long after La Dona! No more waiting twelve years between records.

Her producers need her to take more risks and not just do what is considered commerically viable.

And there is nothing better to hear her sing with Smokey...

Have you noiced that MOST old school artists mainly stick to slow jams these days? Stevie's 'A Time 2 Love'....the Isley Brothers recent work...and now Teena's latest.I love her CD,but it puzzles me why so many of these people don't wanna FUNK IT UP anymore.Perhaps hardcore funk really is dead? Perhaps they think slowjams will have a better shot at success? Who knows?

GREAT REVIEW! Yes, there are too many ballads here. There is no Lovergirl. There is no Square Biz. Many of the songs are too similar. And when a woman Teena's age talks about love being "gangsta", it's a bit much.

But...

This is a NEW Teena Marie album, not too long after La Dona! No more waiting twelve years between records.

Her producers need her to take more risks and not just do what is considered commerically viable.

And there is nothing better to hear her sing with Smokey...

I love her backing band Ozone.

They had that track "Keep On Dancin'" - PURE FUNK!

'dre

I really liked their album "Lil' Suzie" (1982?). I have the cassette but it does not play anymore. I also liked "Giggolette" from their first album with Tina on lead vocals.

I cannot find any of their tracks/albums on CD anywhere.