Search - N'Dea Davenport :: N'Dea Davenport

R&B Riot GRRRL

riotgrrrrl | Riot Grrrrrl Land | 12/16/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"N'Dea Davenport's days with the Brand New Heavies gave us some brilliant soul & funk done in an elegant British style. Her new album furthers her excursions into the world of R&B and much more. I bought this record right before I saw her performance at the Lilith Fair and was in love with it from the first listen. Then I saw her performance and I was fascinated. The album starts off with the very funky-soulful 'Whatever You want' which seems to be dedicated to the listener as she declares that she will offer "whatever you want" just "to keep you happy," and that's what this record does. It promises nad it delivers. There are some outstanding moments like her rendition of Neil Young's 'Old Man,' which gives us a beautiful fusion of old rock and R&B. 'Save Your Love For Me' is seductive and Jazzy. And 'Bullshi++in' is simply the definition funky. This is the type of R&B that needs more promotion here in the States; it is intelligent, it rocks, it funks, it is simply fascinating. I recommend this album greatly as well as all of N'Dea's previous work with the Heavies (and her awesome duet with Guru back in 93 with the song 'Trust me'). N'Dea you are a true R&B Riot GRRRL!"

Heavies singer steps out with a bold statement

John Jones | Chicago IL | 08/19/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's a relief to find out, after enjoying her vocals with the Brand New Heavies over the years, that acid jazz isn't where N'Dea Davenport begins and ends. "Whatever You Want" and "Underneath a Red Moon" will be big hits with her Heavies fans, but that's pretty much where the similarities in N'Dea's past and present come to a halt. She gives a smoldering reading on the bluesy, Etta James-ish "Save Your Love for Me," slinks her way through the sultry hip-hop of "Bring it On" (the album's first single), and adopts a no-nonsense attitude for the funky, horn-laden, and irresistible "Bullshittin." The album is also full of surprises, but luckily pleasant ones: she goes tribal on "No Never Again," teams up with Daniel Lanois for the modern rock ballad "Real Life," and even breathes fresh life into Neil Young's classic "Old Man." The gothic midtempo number "I Wonder" and the drum-and-bass workout "Oh Mother Earth" provide further evidence that this woman is an artist to be reckoned with, and by the time you hear the roadhouse blues of "Getaway" (try to imagine a thin Bessie Smith giving a juke joint a workout) it's clear that there's precious little this adventurous artist isn't willing to tackle...and even less she can't achieve."

Soul music that actually has soul; an essential album.

ridx@hotmail.com | 06/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the album for those into retro-soul; that is, spiritual soul that blends elements of old school R&B, funk, and rock, and doesn't rely on pop/crossover formulas, like so much of commercial R&B music nowadays. The album touches on every part of the musical spectrum, from acid jazz ("Whatever You Want"), blues ("Save Your Love For Me"), electronic (No Never Again, Oh Mother Earth), rock ("Old Man"), R&B ("Bullshi++in'") , and even swing ("Getaway", the closing track.) N'Dea, who wrote, produced, arranged the tracks, and played many of the instruments on the album, has crafted an album of beauty; she obviously hasn't lost a step since her BNH days.If there's one song on the album that touches me, it'd have to be "Real Life". Complete with strings, electric guitar, and synth, N'Dea delivers a parable about problems in the world, like the treatment of senior citizens and violence amongst youth ("death is still a game to those who play with guns and knives....")All in all, this is an album that truly does aim to broaden the narrow confines of contemporary R&B. Few female R&B artists reach this level (Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Me'Shell Ndegeocello, and French import Les Nubians come to mind.) I'm anxiously awaiting N'Dea's next album."