Craig David - Born to Do It

After laying down a memorable vocal on Artful Dodger's "Re-Wind," the biggest hit to date of the latest U.K.-spawned dance craze known as two-step, Craig David's debut record carries lofty expectations. Born out of the R&B/hip-hop and U.K. garage styles of artists like Romanthony, MJ Cole, and Timbaland, with dashes of spastic drum & bass-style rhythms and DJ scratches, two-step is waiting for its first major breakthrough. On his debut full-length, Born to Do It, it's immediately obvious that this breakthrough won't be supplied by David, only because his style isn't really proper two-step at all. His smooth tenor and hip-hop-oriented, verse-chorus-verse song structures are much more in line with the urban soul and new jack swing sound of artists like R. Kelly, Sisqo, and D'Angelo. Still, for an artist who just turned 20, this is an incredibly assured record with a sweet, romantic core that only a cold cynic could deride as youthful naiveté. In addition, while only occasionally hinting at the darker passions of true two-step, the record drips with an advanced rhythmic sense that manifests itself everywhere, from the clever wordplay in the lyrics of songs like "Fill Me In" and "7 Days" to the bells-and-whistles production on the giddy "Time to Party." For those after a true introduction to two-step, there are better choices (start with MJ Cole's Sincere, the Vital 2Step collection, or just jump a plane to London and go club-hopping), but still enjoy this record for its boyish pleasures, teasing sexuality, and irresistible grooves. --Matthew Cooke Amazon.com

Ear candy of the highest order

This album is so smooth it's nasty! First off, Craig has an amazing voice, then add to that extremely versatile vocals (first he sings, then he raps, then he'll blend into a rap singer) and you realize early that this a formidable young talent.

The production is even better. Attempting to blend multiple genres of music (Hip-Hop, R&B, Garage, Club) is very difficult, and it's pulled off without a hitch. The use of instrumentation, namely the acoustic guitar, is used to devastating effect. Add to that the layered vocal arrangements which further enhance Craig's voice, and you have butter, period.

Three highlights of the album are "Can't Be Messing Around, "Follow Me", and "7 Days". "Can't" is a song where Craig does the vocal triathlon, gold medal style, and has a timeless theme to it. "Follow Me" is a straight deal closer. If you can't make it happen with this joint, forget about it. "7 Days" was the first song song that made me pay attention to this young cat. For all the hip-hop heads out there, two remixes were done, one featuring Fat Joe, and the other Mos Def produced by DJ Premier. Nice!

Now, some will say, all he does is talk about himself and his female escapades. Hey, if your thoughts were recorded when you were 19 years old, it would sound similar to this, so take it easy. Others will say, this isn't pure R&B (think 70's Soul). Well, I'm glad it's not. It's the evolution of roughly 50 years of music (starting with jazz) made on two continents. It really shouldn't sound like anything prior to.

I can see why many people thought he was going to be world music's next megastar. He's a mixed race, English spoken dude who can sing and dance. Everything about him is very accessible, so it's kinda odd to see that he never reached the stars.

Nonetheless, I give this product my endorsement. May 16, 2008

Uk's finest

I remember when I first heard Craig David's first single Fill Me In, I liked it but I didnt decide to buy the album late 2003. I dont regret it because it's actually good. Can't Be Messing 'Round, 7 Days(I love the video also), Last Night, Fill Me In (part 2 aka the remix) are all fast songs that actually work. Craig David excells the most when he makes slow songs and tracks like Rendezvous, Walking Away, Follow Me, Key To My Heart Once In A Lifetime are evidence of that. This album is flawwed though. Booty Man is very peculiar. Rewind is a failed club rocker and Time To Party is not necessarily bad but it is questionable. There is also the problem of Craig David trying to rap. He is not awful but he is not good either. His verses in Last Night and Time To Party made me chuckle. Despite these flaws, this a great album by another talented singer who will more likely to be slept-on in the states while being embraced overseas. It's sad really. This album is still worth checking out. Standouts: FILL ME IN(original and part 2), CAN'T BE MESSING 'ROUND, RENDEZVOUS, 7 DAYS, FOLLOW ME, LAST NIGHT, WALKING AWAY and ONCE IN A LIFETIME. March 10, 2008

Excellent Service

The service was excellent! It was hard to find this CD and Amazon shipped it right away. February 13, 2008

Craig David- Born To Do It

This was a big album for R&B in the year 2001. While it was considered a typical r&b album by most, if you listen to the album, you will see the difference in US r&b and UK r&b. Born to Do It was the first R&B album from a UK R&B singer to make it big. This album shot Craig to superstardom. Not so much in the US maybe, but in the UK for sure. In the UK, Craig David is Usher. He is extremely popular in the UK. I think he is the best selling male R&B artist ever to come out of the UK. Over seas you would be surprised at how much attention this guy gets. Esspecially considering how little attention he got in the US even after he delivered this stunning album. Born To Do It is the first album of its kind. Its got a pop/r&b/soul/funk/dance/2 step feel to the album. While there is not alot of baby making music on this album, it still has a very sexy vibe to it. This is the type of album you play on friday night on your way home from the club. And not to mention Craigs voice is flawless. He has amazing range and his voice is just really pure and soft. I mean its really hard to pick just a few good tracks on this album because i can honestly say this is a classic album. I mean alot of people have heard the song that gave him a name "Fill Me In" which is great song alone, but then you add in the relaxing "Rendevous" which is so soothing it could put you right to sleep with its dreamy sound. And then there is the traditional break up song, but Craig took a different approach, instead of doing a slow-ballad, he did a more mid tempo breakup song, which really worked for him in the form of "You Know What". I mean i will never lose appriciation for the artist that Craig is, because i almost like the fact that he is not popular in the US because then his music never gets old. And its always a challenge to find his music. Great Album!


Grade:
A November 27, 2007

An amazing album

I've actually had this CD for a while, and recently rediscovered it. This cd is amazing and rarely are there releases like this. Craig David's voice is amazing and although the subject matter is fairly repetitive, it can be written off as inexperience. Even so, it still is great cd, and a soundtrack to the early 20 year old's life. Rendezvous is probably the best track on this cd, and can really speak to you. 7 days is quintessential, along with Fill Me In, but another track that doesn't get as much acclaim is "You Know What". This track showcases Craig David's lyrical and musical talent.

Buy this album.

And the "Trust Me" - his latest album - is amazing as well...buy that too ...when it officially drops I'll write a review for that as well...and buy the album. November 10, 2007

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