GOD I LOVE THIS!
Kurt Lennon | Calgary | 09/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Simply one of my favorite albums I have ever taken the chance to purchase. They say the best music is the one that can take you back to a certain era of your life, a time that is forever in your mind when you hear the songs. This album is chockful of those moments: hearing "Tired Games" or "Sincere" takes me back a few years: although it doesn't always remind me of the best events or people, it is still a wonderful CD to me, and I still love to listen to it and relax. The one shame is that it's so over-looked here: I'd buy a "2-step" album over some generic rap anyday, and this is about as good as UK Garage gets. Lush, organic, and sincere (pardon the pun), everyone is encouraged to own this album."
2 Steps into the Groove.
The Groove | Boston, MA | 09/16/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"On these American shores, MJ Cole is best known for his UK garage treatment of Mariah Carey's single "Loverboy." Armed with jittery beats and a jerky bassline, it helped introduce 2-step to the US. His album, "Sincere," doesn't stray that far from what the average dance guru expects from a two-step release: nervous drumbeats, rubbery basslines with some vocals and rapping. But what separates this from the rest of the pack is the attention to melody and song structure. This is a two-step album with soul, and from the word "go," the beat never relents. But Cole is no one trick pony, as he also incorporates mid-tempo r&b which saves "Sincere" from being one-dimensional. Some snobs may call two step "so 2001," but this record is still noteworthy and solid enough to deserve your attention."