Blu Cantrell - So Blu

Blu Cantrell is tired. Tired of no-good, wrong-doin', sweet-talkin', always-cheatin', ever-schemin' men. Luckily for listeners, the Providence, Rhode Island native (discovered by Arista CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid) has decided to settle her scores in song. In the process, she delivers a gorgeously heartfelt soul album that manages to avoid no-scrubs, bills-bills-bills clichés, and get down to the business of broken-heart healing. Lacing scats into melismas and blues runs into R&B riffs, this torch-singing newcomer doesn't just take it to church with her debut: she takes it to the dimly lit juke joint, the crowded club, and the smoky underground cafe. Transitioning effortlessly from starry-eyed breathlessness to Eartha Kitt growl, to full-throttle, shiver-inducing wail, Cantrell incants catharsis with haunting ballads like "That One," in which she muses upon finding a soulmate, and "I'll Find a Way," on which she offers up a glorious, show-stopping vocal transition out of the song's bridge that would do Chaka Khan proud. Cantrell, the daughter of a jazz-singing mother, also manages to succeed with up-tempo numbers here--"Hit 'Em up Style (Oops)," the album's first single, is a jubilant revenge anthem, complete with an infectious, finger-wagging, Charleston riff that should have the ladies wiggling and their fellas checking themselves--and their wallets. --Sylvia W. Chan Amazon.com

Nice voice

I can't figure out why Blu's career didn't take off. I can think of about 100 artists out there that can't sing a lick and are making all the money. Another promoter should work with her and put her on top. She's really very talented. August 17, 2007

A really great voice

I am giving the VOICE 5 stars. The CD gets about 3 1/2. Don't let that light skin and centerfold sex kitten image of Blu fool you. This CD is not as good as her second, but of course the woman simply can sing. This CD suffers from a lack of identity. It is all over the place, she even does some Swing.. which actually is a very creative and well done song. I would like to see Blu do a primarily r and b cd, but with those hip hop looks and appeal, I can imagine that record companies have different ideas for her career, which is why there is just too much of it here. She does have some good songs and she shines on I'll Find Away. Listen closely and you will hear a sound and delivery similar to Deborah Cox's. A wonderful and slept on Talent, I do hope she has a major breakthrough because a voice this good should be listened to! Trust, there is no one on the r&b/hip scene today who can touch this voice! She even has legit jazz skills! August 8, 2007

Excellent CD

The Blu Cantrell CD "So Blu" is excellent. Very good music and really good songs. November 6, 2006

Blu-Hoo!

I remember getting this CD at a used CD store. I really liked "Hit Em Up Style," so I was really expecting a lot from her album. Well, let me tell you what happened next. I listened to "So Blu," saved "Hit Em Up Style" on my computer, took the CD back to the used CD store and got my money back. For real, "So Blu" was lousy. Too many slow songs, too many songs about some guy breaking her heart. I don't want to hear that depressing stuff. Skip this at all costs. September 5, 2006

So Blu

I just put this disc back into heavy rotation and had to add my two cents. This is one of the best most underrated debut albums by a female r&b singer in my collection! The shames of her situation are that (1) the label only released one single in the U.S. And although HIT 'EM UP STYLE was undeniable catchy and popular, it really did not showcase Blu's beautifully soulful voice and (2) the fact that women Blu's age and singing style have to compete with younger, flashier hip pop artists instead of people just accepting their music for what it is and not comparing it to other genres within r&b.

This disc is an excellently produced, balanced & cohesive r&b disc featuring a powerful distinct vocalist who doesn't need to hide behind a million guest rappers to make it hot and it's sad that it wasn't more widely heard.

I couldn't give it a full 5 stars because there are 2 songs that although I consider them "filler-ish", the beats and Blu's vocal performance made them interesting to listen to: WHEN I NEED YOU & I CAN'T BELIEVE.

The other songs work on all levels of music & vocal production and deserved more attention:

U MUST B CRAZY - midtempo groove that really showcases Blu's voice

I'LL FIND A WAY - a powerhouse ballad that coulda/woulda/shoulda been a huge hit

SWINGIN' - really like the production, it's a fun song with a modern twist on the "swing" sound

ALL YOU HAD TO SAY - a really jazzy/soulful cut that perfectly showcases her vocals

SO BLUE - I really like the beats & chorus of the song matched with her rap/singing style

BLUE IS A MOOD - really pretty song

10,000 TIMES & THE ONE - both feature excellent beats & chorus verses

Overall this is a well balanced r&b disc that should've been promoted better and one that I'd highly recommend to fans of this genre of music!

August 14, 2006

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