Teyana Taylor 'VII' Review

   

If the title of your album is VII it would seem like this is your seventh LP being released doesn't it? In the case of Harlem born Teyana Taylor, it represents the years spent in the music industry prior to her now released debut VII (G.O.O.D./Def Jam). While this may seem like a long time to release a project, the patience shows throughout, as Teyana Taylor has perfected her voice in a way that shows promise in the future.
     The album opens up to a jazzy interlude "Outta My League", as Taylor finds a man that she feels she doesn't deserve. "Just Different" takes on a different approach in subject matter, but still keeps the jazz feel. Matter of a fact, the song even brings to mind early Mary J Blige in mood. "Still love in my heart/It's not the same/It's just different" sung as a woman who is tired of a relationship that once blossomed. The next track"Request" is seductive at best, as Taylor wants that special someone to request the role she should play in bed. Once again her vocal tone is so smooth that it's convincing as autobiographical (maybe it is?)
     The highlights of the album takes shape with "Do Not Disturb" a duet with Chris Brown. The drums along with the accompanying melody screams sex, and is sure to be a quiet storm favorite in the current playlist of radio rotation. As often as R&B artists try to submit to hip-hop beats, this is rather refreshing. The same can be said of "Broken Hearted Girl" which features fellow Def Jam artist Fabolous.
     "Put Your ove On" takes a backseat to the albums smooth feel, to bring in reggae influenced vibes that can give Rihanna a run for her money. Even as the 808's make you bounce to the groove, Teyana Taylor keeps her smooth vocals in tact with the previous album. This leads into the lead single "Maybe" (which should be a bigger hit) merging seduction and melody perfectly.
     Perhaps the biggest flaw of the album is its length. The project is only over a half hour long, and certain songs are cut short. In fact the previously mentioned "Just Different" and another "It Could Just Be Love" serve as interludes, whereas the full songs appear on the deluxe edition of the album. Who knows what the point of that is, but ridiculous comes to mind. Elsewhere the song "Dreams" adds to the album cohesiveness, but one cannot help to prefer the leaked altered version that was released last month online "Dreams of F*****g An R&B Chick".
     Give credit to Kanye West who oversaw VII for the cohesive effort, and while not a perfect album, Taylor shows promise as a singer, and will be a mainstay if the emotion that she poured into this LP is only the beginning of her artistry.

Theophilus London 'Vibes' Album Review

     There is something to be said about the 27 year old Trinidadian born artist Theophilus London. He has put out an album Vibes (Warner Bros.) that is both innovative and party-worthy, captured the attention of one of the greatest artists of the current generation Kanye West, as well as fashion icons such as Karl Lagerfeld, and is still very underrated.
     Vibes may put an end to that and bring in more eyes (and ears) to London's artistry. Appropriately titled, the album forces the listener into various feelings and rhythms to get you moving across the dance floor. More importantly it brings about a feeling of emotion that goes along to your rhythm while listening to the project. Then again, that is what vibrations is isn't it? Defined as a continuous shaking movement, vibrations is just what Theophilus London was hoping for.
     Essentially considered a rapper, London croons the introduction track "Water Me", the synthesizers and keyboards in the background lead into the smooth drums while London sings "Water me, and I will grow". Helping with the vocals and keys is none other than legendary artist and keyboardist Leon Ware (Marvin Gaye's I Want You). If this is the type of artist you start an album off with, you're in for some jamming.
     Tracks such as the "Neu Law" and "Take and Look" follow the same pattern of London's crooning throughout, but via more percussion heavy sound beds , especially on the latter song. "Take and Look" gives on an eerie feeling reminiscent of a blaxploitation horror film with a soundtrack that forces you to boogie. London's rapping doesn't start until "Can't Stop", his collaboration with Kanye West. West starts off the record rhyming braggadocio lines that take you back to his College Dropout days. London goes into the second verse with a much smoother flow that compliments the track, talking about his lady and there definition of a chill time.
     As a woman whisper's the word vibes in a man's ear (i guess?), "Get Me Right" starts along with a heavy bass that flows a groove that allows London to flex his skills at rhyme, while still getting u to "vibe in the groove" as he says in the song. "Heartbreaker" is anything but, mixing ddm, with Prince inspired vocals that that will drive an old man to breakdance.
     Storytelling trumps the feeling on "Do Girls" about a girl who only "do girls" but makes the exception with a "player like" London. The girl even confides in a friend about the issue in a phone convo (in the middle of the song).
     The album closes with "Figure It Out" a much slower feel to a mostly upbeat album. The song takes you back to 80's slow jams (it should, I mean Force M.D.'s are singing on it). If vibrations brings about a movement, then this will slow things down...in a good way.
     Vibes will surely be a staple in upscale clubs and fashion shows throughout the next year, and if any music listener wants to listen to an album that they can vibe to, Theophilus London has one for you.