The latest soul singer to break out from the thriving Philadelphia scene is singer/songwriter Jaguar Wright. (The City of Brotherly Love is the birthplace of legends Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass as well as more rece... more »nt arrivals Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Jazzyfatnastees, and Bilal.) Like Scott, Wright came to prominence through her association with hip-hoppers the Roots, contributing her considerable vocal skills to the rap group's "What You Want" (from The Best Man soundtrack) and "The Lesson, Part III" (from The Roots Come Alive). Wright's powerhouse alto works lusty rumbles and righteous wails with an ease that would do Lady Marmalade proud, so it's a shame much of the material on her debut relies heavily on repetitive, ho-hum grooves that mask her potential to let loose and sing. Things work best when Wright taps into the blues-woman/bad-girl vibe you'd expect from a girl named Jaguar, like on the Etta James-style opener, "What If"; the sassy, street-hardened soul of "Same Sh*t, Different Day"; and the tell-it-like-it-is ballad "Self Love," one of the few cuts on which Wright's pipes really get to shine. --Sylvia W. Chan« less
The latest soul singer to break out from the thriving Philadelphia scene is singer/songwriter Jaguar Wright. (The City of Brotherly Love is the birthplace of legends Patti LaBelle and Teddy Pendergrass as well as more recent arrivals Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Jazzyfatnastees, and Bilal.) Like Scott, Wright came to prominence through her association with hip-hoppers the Roots, contributing her considerable vocal skills to the rap group's "What You Want" (from The Best Man soundtrack) and "The Lesson, Part III" (from The Roots Come Alive). Wright's powerhouse alto works lusty rumbles and righteous wails with an ease that would do Lady Marmalade proud, so it's a shame much of the material on her debut relies heavily on repetitive, ho-hum grooves that mask her potential to let loose and sing. Things work best when Wright taps into the blues-woman/bad-girl vibe you'd expect from a girl named Jaguar, like on the Etta James-style opener, "What If"; the sassy, street-hardened soul of "Same Sh*t, Different Day"; and the tell-it-like-it-is ballad "Self Love," one of the few cuts on which Wright's pipes really get to shine. --Sylvia W. Chan
Rozena O. from BROCKTON, MA Reviewed on 11/5/2006...
Provocative!!
CD Reviews
Oh come on
Ditto aka | Bossier City, LA | 10/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like all the other reviewers, I think the album would be a lot tighter if she didn't curse so much. It takes away from the quality of the album. One reviewer says that it's a double standard issue, but it's not. I think that this kind of language is trashy and uneccesary regardless of who does it. R. Kelly, D'Angelo, Avant, Montell Jordan, Jaguar (not Jaquar) Wright, whoever.....it's ignorant no matter who does it. They all have dirty mouths. She can talk like the people where she comes from all she wants, but if she's trying to sell her album to other people, then she needs to use a little tact. Not everyone speaks like that. Some of us have the vocabulary to say what's on our minds. It's a good album that should've been great. And though all the swearing wasn't the only reason for her commercial failure, it was definitley one of the most noticable ones."
Hmm... well, er...um...let's see
Ditto aka | 04/14/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)
"I listened to this album for the first time yesterday and for a debut, it's not bad. The Roots provide live instrumentation with appearances by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Bilal. As we have seen on Jay Z's Unplugged and in those infamous Coke commercials, Ms. Wright's voice is full of power & range. I heard so many comments about this joint which prompted me to check it out for myself. She definitely has a soulful/smooth flow and an "in yo face" delivery. Why the 3-star rating? I have to say the cursing peppered throughout the lyrics and even track names raised eyebrows, not to mention the "endearing" liner notes. I know folks are trying to "keep it real" and things but do we really want to know how much she hates her in-laws and family members? or how she hopes her brother rots in hell because he is "nasty to the core"? I was reading that negativity and shaking my head. And true to form, it came out in her music. One song she is calling someone a ... threatening to beat her down and the constant usage of [profanity] is not cool at all. These factors are going to keep her music off the radio for fear of offending the wrong people. This is definitely not an album you can play at work or around your kids, lest you get the "clean" version. (curiousity got me)I'm not trying to bash Ms. Wright and maybe with a few more listen throughs I'll change my mind but for now I'd have to say D, D & D is not what I expected. Also, the lengths of the tracks are so short! Once you start getting into a song ("Stay" for example) the fade out came. A two and a half minute song? That's an appetizer. Not a meal. She does a remake of "Love Need and Want You" which is nice, but again, the fade out comes just as your getting into her adlibs. It's like starting on a big juicy steak and someone snatches it away after the first few bites.I think Ms. Wright is trying so hard to prove that she is "real" and what you see is what you get so deal with it, but whatever happened to letting your talent speak through the vocals and lyrics? Don't need the attitude and the inside scoop of at-home-drama. If this is a publicity/marketing attempt to draw more listeners, think again. There's only one Millie Jackson and that's enough. Ya feel me? K. That ends my review, and hey! don't hate, I'm just "keeping it real!" *wink*"
Great on the very first listen!
music chick | DC | 02/03/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I had heard of Mrs. Wright prior to her appearance on Jay's MTV Unplugged recording, and so i was pleased to be able to actually see and hear her courtesy of that recording.I just got my cd today, and I can say that after listening to it i'm really happy i bought this! The music is great and there is a nice flow to the album. As the Amazon.com reviewer noted, Jaguar Wright can SANG! and she delivers all of her vocals with energy and verve. Unlike the reviewer, however, I think that she doesn't need more energy and doesn't "fail" to deliver vocally. An album of ALL passionate wailing would get monotonous, and what we get instead is variety. Like Jill Scott, her lyrics let you know that she's got smarts, mad flavor and is sometimes ghetto but not gutter (and there is a difference).Its not often that i can listen to a cd on the first time through and just let it flow and not feel like i need to skip to the next track because a song rubs me the wrong way. When a cd is great the first time through, you know that you've made a good investment, and i feel great about sending some love her way by paying my money (as Jaguar herself puts it in the liner notes).The first 5 songs on the album are my favorites thus far and make the album a good investment for me. Tracks 6 and 7 are my next favorites. Track #1 "the what if's" is a very funky slow-to-mid tempo cut with sultry vocals by Jaguar, and #2 "country song" picks up the pace and has a nice guitar riff that carries you through the song. There are layers of vocals in this track that are very nice ear candy. Track #3 "Stay," is a fast tempo but smooth flowing track, very nice bass line driving it and more luscious vocals ... Then there is track #4 -- a very good cover of a soul classic "love need and want you" (P Labelle). At this point, you've heard 4 great songs in a row and you are glad you bought this disc!Many times people will ask for comparisons, but in addition to the fact that i don't like to do that, I'm genuinely at a loss as to who Jaguar reminds me of, or vice-versa. To some degree her lyrics remind me of the best of Mary J. Blige's stuff, but when she talks about failed relationships and other people who've brought negative energy into her life she doesn't have that angst ridden thing going on that was Mary J's trademark for so long. And she is musically not far enough on the jazzy or bohemian side to make great comparisons to Jill or Erykah. Although the first 3 or 4 songs are are as good as their stuff and not dis-similar, especially to J. Scott. More like Grenique, but much better overall album, more vocal confidence and more "street" than her (I really like only 4 tracks on G's Black butterfly, sorry). Jaguar is a more fiery and fiesty soul singer than Davina (excellent album!), but Wright has equally consistent vocals and an obvious love of and respect for good R & B.In sum, this is a very good album to buy for people who like quality R&B from an artist with a unique style. The music is great and if you like real voices, she's got what you want. ... And I just like her vibe!"
Opportunity Squandered (4 Stars)
Norfeest | Washington DC USA | 10/24/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD could've bigger and better than what it was for many reasons, but the two biggest reasons that stand out to me are:
1) The lack of promotion this album got. Me finding this at Best Buy was a complete accident. I didn't even know it was out. I think more of a buzz would've got this album the recognition it deserves.
2) The excessive cursing. She swears more than Andrew Dice Clay.
Remember back when singers actually had to know how to sing? Jaguar Wright is one of those singers....a throwback if you will. As far as her voice goes, I'd even dare to say that it's right up there with (and very similar to) the voice of the great Stephanie Mills. But her foul mouth will prevent her from ever reaching the same status as Ms. Mills. I first heard her sing on a coca cola commercial (like the other reviewers), and I too was blown away. That doesn't happen often. So after that commercial, I waited patiently for her album to come out. I can remember ONE commercial that wasn't a coca cola commercial. After that, nothing. I never saw her video for the awesome "The What If's" until AFTER I'd already bought the album. Her lack of promotion borders on criminal.
Upon first listen to this CD I thought it was great. I didn't even mind the swearing she does on "The What If's", it actually fit there. But where she falls flat is on tracks like "Same Sh*t, Different Day" Pts 1 & 2 and "Ain't Nobody Playin'". Both songs have awesome potential, but it's as if she's just cursing for the sake of cursing. Honestly, that's my ONLY complaint about this album. There really isn't anything else that's bad about this album. When she leaves the gutter speak alone, she produces some powerful stuff. The perfect examples would be "Stay", "Lineage", or her great cover of "Love Need And Want You".
Overall, I think Jaguar Wright still has the potential to be one of the best of her era. The beats were on point and her voice is nothing short of awe inspiring, but she has to lose the potty mouth in order for her career to skyrocket like it deserves to. The CD is still good, but it could've been GREAT. I just can't help feeling like there was an opportunity wasted here.
Standout Tracks: The What If's, Love Need And Want You, I Can't Wait feat. Bilal, Self Love, Stay (My Favorite), and Lineage"
Some of yall too sensitive
Norfeest | 05/12/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard of Jag from a mixed cd I received as a gift, with purchase during Black History month - 2001. There were two impressive tracks on there for me...but the key winner that had me anticipating her release - the title! point blank.
Really, the title alone, was simply thought provoking, she had me at jump.
According to the reviews, and trust me, I read them all. Your either gonna feel her flow or your not. You have either lived that song or have no idea why she sangs it in the first place. To some, her style may seem vulgar and unnessary. But obviously you were not listening very well to her point. She is an artist, and this was how she chose to express herself.
As far as the cussing goes - child, please. Grown folk cuss! Especially when it comes to break ups and drama. I don't know an adult that hasn't cussed during such times. She has used her voice as her headlining instrument, and has taken the time to walk you vividly thru a story. A story I think she has told quite well.
As far as a comparison goes - there are none. Jill is Jill, Lauryn is Lauryn, and so on and so on. - You either feel those chicks or you don't. If you were waiting for Jag to be the next Jill or Lauryn or Erykah cause ya bored with current music - news flash, Erykah's last album was bunk, and ya still gotta wait on Jill and Lauryn. But in the meantime - there is Jag.
Jag - I give you one up love. For real. The remake of Patti's "Love Need and Want You," was off the chain...couldn't have chose anyone betta to blow the pipe line. And 'that's my song!' - "Ain't Nobody Playing" - for the ghetto girl in me that is occassionally resurrected cause of fawl play...I needed a them song! "The What If's"...so true.
People compare her to Mary J. Blige - stating that Mary already song that style of music so Jag should have come up with something else. LOL. But what about the folks that never felt Mary?
There are different artist created to help express everyone's diversity. On that note - CUSS ON Jag! Thanks for speaking on the behalf of the bad a$$ chicks everywhere! Its about time they knew chicks like you existed."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
Rozena O. from BROCKTON, MA 
