D. P. (MusicMan) from NEW YORK, NY Reviewed on 3/8/2007...
Many agree that "Naked to the World" was Teena Marie's best album.
AMG reviewer Alex Henderson gave it four and a half stars, and raved, "Among the treasures: the unapologetically sentimental, early-'70s ballad "Ooo La La La" (which proudly proclaims its allegiance to soul music's golden era, with references to Bloodstone's "Natural High" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together"), the addictively funky "Work It," and the sassy, clever "Trick Bag." The sparks usually flew when Lady T formed a duet with Rick James, and the sweaty "Call Me (I Got Yo Number)" and the ballad "The Once and Future Dream" are no exceptions."
CD Reviews
Super
Iris Smith | Cleveland, OH United States | 06/13/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have this Cd on tape, and it's wearing out, this is Teena at her best. "Naked to the World" is an AWESOME cut, and it's one of my favorites. I'll put La Dona, right up there with this. Both are must have music!Iris"
A Fantastic Soulful Experience
Robert Lloyd III | portsmouth, va United States | 01/27/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of my fave Teena Marie albums. It moves, seduces, entices and entrances. From the slick groove of Trick Bag to the seductive call of Ooo La La La to the urban dance funk of Surrealistic Pillow to the emotional wallop of Naked To The World, Teena does not miss a step on this full digital recording. This cd is a Masterpiece even by contemporary standards-especially by contemporary standards!!"
OpusIII
Robert Lloyd III | 10/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Teena Marie proves in opus III that no other white female artist has ever come close to the talent of "lady T" with R&B music; not mariah..not christinia...and not brittney. Teena Marie is so underrated, there can never be antoher even close to this soulful artist."
Absolutely her best album!!!
R. Manigault | San Antonio, TX United States | 07/03/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Teena Marie is the best vocalist, male or female, of our time. Her voice is as a custom musical instrument that only she can play. Her singing is equalled only by her writing. She is a poet. Soft, sensual, funky, and more. She should have been a mega-star. Her talent is pure. It's real. When the world once again demands talent of its performers and when comparisons are made, Teena Marie will one day be the standard against all others are held."
Genius At Work
Timothy A. Dillinger | Nashville, TN United States | 10/29/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"The most interesting aspect of Teena Marie's career has been her ability to balance her abstract and introspective side...with some of the most infectious grooves ever to be created.
Released in 1988, this album is on the the totally opposite side of the spectrum of it's predecessor "Emerald City". While the album certainly contains sci-fi moments (Most notably the brilliant "Surrealistic Pillow"), Teena seems to have made a concerted effort to compiled a collection of songs more in the direct R&B vein.
"Ooh La La La", Teena's smashing #1 single, is perhaps the most remembered track on this album. An ode to many of the classic soul songs of the 60s and 70s, "Ooh La La La" is irresistable. The other single that charted on the R&B Top 10 is the jazzy "Work It", dedicated to the Ohio Players, complete with an amazing trumpet solo (matched with Teena's infamous scatting).
Teena reunites with her mentor, Rick James, on two underrated tracks. The funky "Call Me (I Got Yo Number)" is another chronicle of their relationship, which at this point had only been speculated upon by the public. The romantic "Once & Future Dream" is the other duet. Why this track is not mentioned in the same sentance as "Fire & Desire" and "Happy" is beyond me. This is one of Teena's greatest lyrics ("If I swam so deep into the ocean/and found Atlantis and the kingdom of Neptune/Then I'd ive them both to you") and certainly a stellar performance from both her and Slick Rick.
The collaboration with Bernadette Cooper of Klymaxx ("Crocodile Tears") is one of the funkiest moments on the CD, along with the Rick James-inspired "The Ball" (written as a follow-up to his own "Jefferson Ball" from "Bustin Out of L Seven").
The album's title track is one of the most introspective tracks of Teena's career and is the perfect end cap for an incredibly well sculpted album.