Search - Jevetta Steele :: Here It Is

Release Your Soul... In, What-eva Phase....

Julian Smith | Wilkinsburg, PA United States | 09/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Soulful, rythmic, jazzy, and some grove! This is a truly excellent, excellent cd that didn't get the recognition that it truly deserves. I wish there were more artist like Jeveeta Steele with meaning in they're music and such graceful, confident, melodic voice.Jeveeta where are you(?)"

Hidden Treasure

RetroRhythms | USA | 03/08/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's truly a shame that this set, featuring at least four marvelously crafted songs, came and went without a peep. Jevetta Steele's distinctive voice is simultaneously brassy, soothing, charming, and powerful. She takes each song to the optimal level with her keen senses of timing, delicacy, and strength.



In addition to Steele's expert chops, four ballads contained here - "Hold Me," "Open Book," "Love Is a Losing Game," and "Calling You" - make this set well worth the investment. It's hard to believe that Prince wrote "Hold Me"; but he's always full of surprises! The lyrics seem too "mainstream," yet they are a far cry from being meaningless. In fact, they are quite touching, and Steele sounds like she truly knows what she's singing about. Same goes for "Open Book," which the Royal One penned with Martika (with surprising results!). And who can forget the theme from Baghdad Cafe, "Calling You"? AT&T's commercials in the early 90's gave Steele's performance of this song long life. (While we often complain about the use of classic music in commercials, I have to give credit here. Those AT&T commercials are what introduced me to Ms. Steele!).



There are also a number of midtempo and uptempo selections here, among them the titletrack and "Good Foot." They all possess a feel-good vibe, though they strike me as a bit more predictable and less distinctive than the ballads. Still, Steele gives them her all.



I highly recommend this set to music fans who appreciate a truly soulful voice with power, precision, and balance -- as in, not simply screaming everything out or doing vocal acrobatics to be considered soulful. But truly digging into the meaning and arrangements of each song to give life to long-lasting, moving vocal interpretations. That's "what is here," thanks to Ms. Jevetta Steele!"

Enjoyable

spacedog | boston, ma United States | 05/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"if you like classic whitney houston, you'll prob. enjoy this CD. i got this CD after hearing and loving jevetta's performance in -the gospel at colonus-. the music here isn't as great as that show, but it's pleasant early 90's pop. the synthesizers and drum pads sound dated now and the lyrics are a little subpar, but the music and production are good and still hold up. "calling you" is prob. the most famous track from this album (written by the composer of the gospel at colonus), but equally good are "all in time" and "open book" (co-written by prince, who is also behind the track "hold me"). jevetta's talented gospel-singing family go pop here and provide great backing vocals. all in all a nice R&B album."