 |
When one enters a particular restaurant, one will usually find the phrase "no substitutions" on the menu. On this, Dwele's second major label effort, one cannot go into this album and expect to hear something else. This is not D'Angelo, this is Dwele. A comparison is immediately made due to both singers making the sound of the Fender Rhodes a trademark in their music. But whereas D'Angelo takes his time to write, record, and release product, "Some Kinda..." comes off as some kinda, I don't know, variation of what he came out with before? The real question in this situation is, is that a good or bad thing? First, the good thing. Dwele's smoothed out harmonies are what makes his songs great and endearing, you want to hear it because he sets the mood perfectly, whether to dance or to light the candles for a romantic situation. In the slyly titled "Flapjacks", he actually comes off in a few lines as a rapper, scoping the scene and eyeing what he wants at the International House Of Buncakes: "I watch your frame get out of that car I promised that I'd get that If all I could think when I saw you at the bar Was kickin' up with them flapjacks But now that I know that you passed beauty and face Change what my thought processess said But I would be wrong if I didn't stay Damn, you got some good flapjacks" Okay, so perhaps not as poetic as his other soul music brethren, but this is the B-boy in him sharing his bravado for a moment. This, however, isn't dominant throughout the album, the rest of the time he's looking for love, finding, sharing, and wanting to keep it. The album has more mid-tempo tracks than ballads, and they are finely balanced so that there are hardly any stagnant moments. Bad things? To be honest, it's hard to put down an album that is quite good. I would liked to have heard Dwele become more adventurous, lyrically and musically, but maybe it's too much of a risk at this point in his career. There's a lot of depth and character in his material, and there's a bit of something, perhaps an edge that lurks within and I'd like to hear it come out more with future albums. If "Subject" turned listeners on to the possibilities of Dwele, "Some Kinda..." is a perfect companion piece.Read full review
This is my second Dwele CD and just like the first, he continues to bring a funk, soul and jazzy style to his sound. If you're in a down mood and need a pick you up, then the catchy beat and colorful lyrics in "Flapjacks" will make you lol. The whole CD is on point and an awesome tribute to a brotha who has paid close attention to perfecting his talent. It's so good to hear the quality in both of his CD compilations. Being from Detroit, you can definitely hear the sound of Motown throughout his melodies. I highly recommend it to all listeners, but particularly those betwen the age of 16 - 55. Debbie Alexander
This album is classic just like his last album is.. I was watching VH1 Soul tonite and they played the entire album in its entirety. Thats a wonderful thing when they play it like that on the day it comes out.. Talk about promotion.. It worked. I bought it.. Dwele does for Hiphop Soul music what Snoop does for hiphop..
Is it Neo-soul, R&B, or Hip-Hop? Yup all that, with a sexy twist. One of Detroits finest. Tired of skipping every other track, no worries here, just hit play and enjoy!
I love how he connects you from one album to the next as though the music never stopped, but simply paused for the new and smoother side of Dwele..His poise and elegance as he gracefully croons into your mind,body, sould and spirit..He is, without a doubt, the most dynamic musician we have in the r&b world with the exclusion of the great old timers like Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder..
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on CDs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- You may also like
