"So I picked this one up because of the sticker on the cover of the cd. The sticker said: "The righteously bangin' new single from Mary Mary. Also contains non-stop Maurice Joshua remixes." Well, with a promotional sticker like that, how could I resist. I have been quite impressed with the remix work or Mr. Joshua as of late (his remix of Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills" and "Say My Name" along with his remix of Monifah's "Touch It" are some of his best remix work ever), but I have also been disappointed by some of his work (example - Destiny's Child's "Bug-A-Boo" remix. ICK). Let's just say that this track is falling right in with the first bunch of songs. Upon first listen, I was moderatley impressed, and it took me a few more listens before I was convinced. Some great vocal work wrapped around some light, silky house beats, and the sexy, sexy trumpet that is played to perfection by Ken Anderson. Wow! The Carnival 2000 mix keeps all of the words intact, the Carnival 2000 Instrumental is just that, an instrumental. Maurice's New Years Eve Dub has alot of that sexy trumpet (who would have ever thought as the trumpet sounding sexy?), and very minimal vocals - the chanting of "I just wanna dance" to be exact. And you know what, the best version on this disc is the original! A fantastic little R&B groover that deserves attention. By the way, on the back cover the MO-apella is listed as being 2:46 long. It's not, it's 6:05."
Shackles Shines
Kenneth B. Burrill | Connecticut USA | 05/20/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In all the mix of music we now have I found Shackles to be a shining star. In a generation that seems to be drifting away from religion Shackles is a great way for praise! With the strong vocals and dancable beat I see nothing wrong in enjoying or dancing to a gospel song that rocks."
Mary Mary break the "shackles" off traditioal gospel
Jacqueline | Delaware | 04/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This song is hot, and just listening to the snippets, the rest of the cd is even hotter! These young ladies can really sing. While their sound is hip, funky r&b, their lyrics are straight up PRAISE. Mary Mary are among the latest artists who are breaking the "shackles" off traditional gospel music and giving you an opportunity, to not only be free to praise God "outside of the box", but are reaching an audience that normally would not be be reached. I look forward to hearig more from this hip new ministry. Ps.150."
This version is a dissapointment
Dan Bear | East Coast | 02/17/2001
(1 out of 5 stars)
"About a month or so ago, i bought this song on white lable pre-relase, sometimes, record companies put our various mixes to test the water. The mix i have is probably by thunderpuss but the lable does not say. The mix is not on the CD single, WHY? The white lable mix is INCREDIBLE, but yet its not on the cd, and the mixes on this cd are just plain awfull compared to what i have on vinly. If you can find a white lable promo of Shackles by thunderpuss, grab it, pay extra for it, do what ever you have to and get it, because it blows this cd out of the water. When will the record companies stop trying to feed us FORMULAS and let us have what is truly the better copies of songs? VERY dissapointed in houston."