viciuzurban's TOP ALBUMS

“im glad she's back. and im glad she and toni are back to form. dignified. good repeat value. believing in me for the nostalgia.”

“fiona sounds like monica on a few of the tracks and a more softer keyshia cole which is great. ayo and priceless transition her to the commercial market. but tracks such as teach him and walk on by are must listen. more than just a pretty face.”

“i think upon first listen, listeners might be underwhelmed. but the album warrants more than just one listen for it to come into its own. the subtle nuances and complexity will come through - i had to rewind tracks several times and discovered a new lyric or a new twist. i always thought the obsessed beat was too slow in my opinion but it grows on you. as does this album. its different without distancing itself away from the mariah formula. the dream and mariah are a good fit and i was anticipating their collaboration. often too many people take a dream demo and don't own it i.e. rihanna but mariah is on another level. my favourite tracks would have to be hateu, betcha gon know, inseperable and candy bling - has that old school honey-esque throwback and i like her outtake vocals.”

“Fantasy ride isnt perfect but its damn head above the rest of mediocre albums that have laced the shelves promising big things but failing to deliver. you cannot deny it even if you wanted. It’s very easy to dismiss the collection of songs as superficial, but Super C’s ownership and experimentation of the material is something totally else. she is constantly pushing the envelope and taking risks. that attribute is endearing as too many artists play it safe or do things outside of their range. every artist has a career defining moment and this is it. fantasy ride encapsulates the walls of sounds of its namesake and combines rhythmic elements of funk, electro and disco with a rap music sensibility that takes you through all the highs and the lows. it is both a throwback to the 80s and 90s as well as a nod to the future. pure adrenalin and zesty fun that is hypnotic, seductive and effortless. her wit, tenderness and rapid fire delivery are all on display. It’s interesting that you mention that Ciara is the next this and that but I’ve always thought of her as a younger vibrant Diana Ross, exuding her versatility and that is the direction I see her carving out. The vocals are not on par but that doesn’t matter when you’re doing light pop and dance music. Look at her profile on the album cover, surely you can see the similarities and the material directly reference that. Never Ever, Turntables, G is For Girl recall the wordplay and dance extravaganzas of Diana Ross a la Swept Away. Never Ever is a tender slow burning number, brooding and vulnerable, a perfect balance. This is possibly her most accessible track in years. Totally underrated. Sure the Janet Jackson references are always going to be there and she cannot escape her but I don’t think that’s a bad thing at all. The three are very similar but different in their own right. Lover's Thing and Pucker Up are quintessential Janet respectively - the first is similar to Janet's Thinkin About my Ex while the latter is similar to Feedback. Pucker Up is annoying at first but it requires a few listens. Love Sex Magic is a self-affirming dance song – the call and response from the two are impeccable. Like A Surgeon is the perfect sex jam. I Dont Remember and Tell Me What Your Name Is bring to mind the sensuality and wisp of Cyndi Lauper. The album is well thought out and sequenced finding the right balance between the mid tempo and high every tracks. i would have like to have heard some pure instrumentation, with her singing over an acoustic number with horns and strings a la Never Ever but there's more pluses than minuses here to admire and listen to.”

“i dont necessary understand the bad commentary going on around about "something else" and i dont necessarily get the idea that the dude cannot sing unless you did not really listen to the new album; mind you the new album needs more than just one listen without unjust comparisons. saadiq's "The way i see it" is a completely different beast. "Magic" is more pop to me and thickes airy vocals float effervescently over the beats; Hamilton's hard-edge vocal stylings wouldnt in my opinion do it justice - just a matter of taste (mind you im a massive hamilton fan". Thicke proves that third time is a charm; he manages to find a happy medium between the fusion of southern style soul funk and bubbling hip hop that he churns out with effortless precision. "dreanworld", "sidestep", "shadow of doubt" and "ms. harmony" are all bananas. the bonus tracks "ebb and flow" and "im coming home" are phenomenal with full-bodied vocals. and he says, 'a man needs love too'.”