Search - The Brand New Heavies :: Shelter

Once Is Thrice Enough

Jack L. Aiello | 10/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't own any other albums by BNH, but I've heard enough to go backwards. From all the samples of previous albums I've heard before, replacing N'Dea Davenport meant that The Heavies were getting a hold on a good thing with Siedah Garrett. Siedah has sung with the likes of Michael Jackson, and Dennis Edwards of the Temptations. And she surprised me as the front of one of the originators of acid-jazz. Like another fan said, Garrett sings like an "angel from the wrong side of the tracks." There are no flops here, just hit after hit, from my perspective. "Sometimes" and "Shelter" hit me as instant ice-breakers in the introduction to the Heavies' music. The bass/guitarlines and vocals are very deep-planted into the compositions, with nice "R & B-meets-jazz" rhythms. I'm surprised that I didn't own this two years ago when it was first released. Anticipating the next project."

New Singer, New Flavor

Jack L. Aiello | Bronx, New York United States | 03/08/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Even though frontwoman N'Dea Davenport is missing, Siedah Garrett surprisingly pulls the album together with her own brand of personality and delivery. Garrett's more booming voice lacks the urgency and yearning that Davenport's liquid smooth vocals imparted, but it does add a different dimension to the Heavies' sound. The Brand New Heavies still know how to churn out thick grooves laden with lots of funk and soul, and though I was resistant to the idea of a Heavies album without N'Dea, I warmed up to this new direction after a few listens. Great album to listen to, but make sure you check out the earlier material too."

Brilliant grooves!

Bernard | 08/20/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's surprising this band isn't more popular outside the UK. I absolutely love this album. There's no way to pigeon-hole their music but that's OK because every track in this album is marvellous, even the remake of "You've Got a Friend". It's filled with hit material like the title track, "Sometimes", "You Are The Universe", "Day by Day", "Highest High", "Stay Gone"...the list goes on. It grooves, it jives, it's slick and Siedah Garrett lends a good dose of R&B that mainstream fans will welcome (she's since been replaced by lesser-known British vocalist Carleen Andersen who is even better suited to their music - check out their Greatest Hits album). Highly recommended."