Search - Neneh Cherry :: Man

THIS ISN'T A MAN OR A WOMAN'S WORLD,IT'S NENEH'S WORLD!!

J. Johnson | CT | 08/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My wife Neneh returns after the quietly trendsetting "Homebrew" with this strong 1996 effort entitled "Man"."Man" was recorded mainly in London and Spain,Neneh's stepfather Don Cherry recently had died in her Spain home so many of "Man"'s songs have recurring themes of death,longing,and moving on.But it never gets depressing or weepy so put away the razorblade!:) Unlike "Raw Like Sushi" and "HomeBrew",Neneh doesn't focus her tasty,cultured blend in a more streetwise hip hop direction but more in a singer-songwriter premise."Man" is very song-oriented and the production is superior.Although "Raw" was funkier and "HomeBrew" was more textured,"Man" still shows folks simply weren't ready for Nen because she was so ahead of her time.Among the standouts on the ten-track "Man" is the achingly beautiful,bluesy "Woman",a riveting take on James Brown's classic "It's A Man Man Man's World"."Woman" has that cinematic appeal,you know like a emotional action scene kind of quality
which explains why it was featured in the 1996 action flick "The Long Kiss Goodnight"."Woman" also had a great video which ganered Nen with many British music honors.
The tender "Feel It" features a very vulnerable Neneh singing the tale of a young man's growing up.Although the piano version that was included on the UK-issued CD single of the song makes the song feel more 'alive'.
The funky,agitated rock of "Kootchi" shows a return to Neneh's appealing,sass-filled sexual side.Unlike say,Madonna or even the scrumptous Janet Jackson,Neneh's sexuality was more accesible and warm.More human.Here was one beautiful woman who seemed touchable and attainable.And authentic."Kootchi" and "Woman" also show that Neneh's vocals have matured.
The lithing "Carry Me" gracefully tells the tale of a young girl's death from the dying girl's perspective."Golden Ring" is a power ballad sung in a flamenco,Spanish style which explains the influence that the flamenco scene in N's dwelling of Spain had taken.
Now many fans grumbled at the three "older" tracks featured on the '96 release of "Man".N's haunting remake of Marvin Gaye's
"Trouble Man" had been featured on the 1995 Marvin Gaye tribute album;"7 Seconds" a haunting anthem beheading racism that was a HUGE hit across the globe but barely heard here in the States,and "Together Now" which was featured on Tricky's "Nearly God" LP(Tricky had wrote an album for Neneh but she decided not to release it;rumors of an EP of those songs persist).But since all three tracks are great,age does nothing but make them sound better."Man" is more atmospheric and leaning towards trip hop and rock than N's previous albums.It's obvious with this album that Nen was trying to pull off a tough move:being SMART,being HERSELF,
yet still being ACCESSIBLE.Nelly Furtado and Missy Elliot would play from Neneh's playbook to more commerically successful results.Unfourtantly,"Man" never was released in the US since N's label Virgin was going through a merger so sadly,"Man" and it's brillance never got to see the light of day in the US."Man" is worth the hefty US import pricetag.Hopefully N.C. will finally get her true props one day for all the ground she's broken."

This talented artist is 3 for 3!

guillermoj | Washington, DC United States | 03/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With her third release, Neneh Cherry continues to evolve as an artist to be reckoned with critically, although unfortunately not commercially (at least in the U.S.A). That is a shame because Neheh is not a puppet with producers and writers pulling her chords. She's a fully self-directed writer, performer who has backed away from using her obvious beauty to sell a few more records.Her vocal chops have matured and the production on this release is as flawless as it was on her 2nd release. She sings in an immediate and strong fashion while exposing her vulnerabilities. Although some of my words may lead some to believe that Neneh would seem like a self-important artist, her music is so accesible that I can't fathom why she has not taken off like a rocket. Listen to "Woman" and "7 Seconds" and I dare you not to become a fan.I have not heard anything from this artist since she released this way back in the late 1990's. If Virgin released her from her contract or dropped her, won't anyone else work with this artist so that she can continue to bring us positive music with a sound that is so alive that it is almost surreal."

A Great follow up to "Homebrew"

Hope Anne Nathan | Pittsburgh, PA USA | 09/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought "Raw Like Sushi" and liked it, so when "Homebrew" came out, I bought it too. And I LOVED it. But then Neneh Cherry disappeared from the music scene. Now, finally, there is "Man." "Man," for me, fulfills the promise of "Homebrew." It has that same Neneh Cherry style that defies definition; part R&B, part Soul, part Rap, part Pop. Her voice is etherial, and her melodies get Under Your Skin (anyone get the "Red Hot & Blue" joke there?). If you enjoyed "Homebrew," then place your order for "Man" right now. You won't be disappointed."