Syleena Johnson - Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness

With her full-throated alto and her world-weary tone, newcomer Syleena Johnson conjures up the sort of dyed-in-the-wool, down-home soul that used to be par for the course. She comes by that soul genetically: Her dad is R&B legend Syl Johnson but his baby girl is no retro act. Her been-done-wrong anthems, told as a chapter from a young woman's life, have the sassy attitude of today but are seasoned by a womanliness that is often AWOL from the more hip kid-driven R&B. Working with labelmates R. Kelly and Liberty City, Syleena has made a soulful CD that feels real and sounds lived through. --Amy Linden Amazon.com

Still one of my favorites...

Syleena Johnson's debut album came out about 6 or 7 years ago now, and I still love to play this CD all the time. Her voice is unlike anything I have ever heard in today's radio friendly world of hip-hop and r&b. Buy it..Love it! August 5, 2008

Chapter 1 - Love, Pain & Forgiveness

This debut by Syleena Johnson is a breath of fresh air to the r&b scene. The tone of her voice reminds me of a smoothed out version of Millie Jackson. It's also admirable that she co-wrote all of the skits & songs except for the R Kelly produced, I AM YOUR WOMAN. I think that today's r&b listeners are too used to rhythmic pop/hip hop tracks passing as soul/r&b so artists like Syleena get ignored because she's not a singer who relies on rappers or hard beats to make tracks. Syleena can be compared to Blu Cantrell in that they're both young women with powerful vocal ability who don't garner a lot of mainstream attention because their songs cater more to the old school version of r&b, which is a real shame.

The great thing about this album is that she had a focused story that she wanted to tell through the songs and was successful - they all deal with love, the pain caused by the loss of love and forgiveness to rebuild the love. I agree with a lot of reviewers in that even a few of the mediocre songs are listenable because of her beautiful voice.

The standout tracks to me are:

YOU SAID - beautiful duet with Liberty City

HE'S GONNA DO YOU IN - bluesy, jazz influenced track, she sounds terrific

ONE DAY - georgeous ballad

I AM YOUR WOMAN - melodic track

YOU GOT ME SPINNIN - love the musical production

I'm not sure if Syleena would benefit from working with stronger songwriters if HER vision for HER songs would get lost in the translation of working with others. I mean as fans, we could say that we wish she'd do trendier or more upbeat songs to get airplay but if those types of songs would compromise her artistry then maybe she's fine doing her own thing and becoming a stronger songwriter in her own right.

March 10, 2008

Excellent first CD

Following a chained storyline this CD features many interludes that tend to detract the listener from where it really shines and that is her voice.

Powerful and deep her voice shines above and carries what would be a mediocre CD at best. Syleena really shines with such gems as I Am Your Woman and Baby I'm So Confused and really bring allow you to forgive the slow interludes.

A good first attempt by a fantastic voice. February 17, 2008

The Voice

That wonderful Alto voice that sometimes reminds me of Angela Bofill and a soulful rasp that reminds me of Billie Holiday. The album is solid but I really wish that she would get better material because the voice deserves better.
The important thing is that she can sang. One of those Church singers but with lots of control.
If you miss real singers, then you gonna like this. January 6, 2006

FILLS IN THE BLANK SPACES IN MUSIC!!....3and 1/2

This woman has an amazing voice.Her reaspy alto..she can sing to ma all day and i still wouldn't get tired of listening.This is an album which is average.Her voice is on point but some of the songs are mediocre.The songs..

I Am Your Woman (first video i remember when i first saw her on Midnight Love..i though she could sang...influenced me to buy the album)

Hit On Me (Second video i've seen.This is when i went to buy the album.The message and words are powerful and she sings it with such force.One of the best songs on this CD)

Everybody Wants Something, He's Gonna Do You In, and You Said other good songs...average album but her voice makes up for it...

OVERALL GRADE 79/100 = C+ September 3, 2004

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