**NFARED'S PICK: R&B CD Of The Year 2004, FANTASIA BARRINO



Nfared Reviews:



Fantasia Barrino
Free Yourself



Whether or not reality TV is actually reality has become an issue of debate as
of late (although the answer is obvious. Really, who eats dead rats and puts
themselves in a container full of snakes?). However, there is one show that has
a real outcome.



Since its debut, American Idol has been one of the most watched reality shows
since they begin inundating prime time television. The last season of this show
produced a young woman who is by far the most talented person to ever win the
title “American Idol” and probably one of the most prolific and moving
singers we have heard in years. Fantasia Barrino won our ears and our hearts
with her performances that eventually led to her being named the current Idol.
Moving on from the show, Fantasia dropped her first studio album, “Free
Yourself” in December of last year. Though heart stopping and poignant, her
performances on Idol were only a taste of what Fantasia has to offer.


Voice and Production
“Her voice is just so—so—soulful!” These were my brother’s first
comments after listening to a few songs from “Free Yourself” at the music
store. You may even find yourself struggling to describe her voice as it
encompasses so many elements, from soul to jazz to gospel. Established producers
Jermaine Dupri, Missy Elliot, Jazzy Pha, The Underdogs, as well as six other
producers put forth a great effort of blending Fantasia’s voice with the many
styles she can fit into.



The title track, Free Yourself, produced by Missy, is a soulful, live-band
inspired track. From the piano at the beginning of the track, to the deep base
line, this is a song that if a tour were done, would definitely be at the top of
the performance list. Listening to the track makes it seem as if Fantasia is
actually standing in the room with you. Her voice radiates through the speakers
touching that in descript spot on the inside, somewhere between your soul and
your heart. The background vocals are precisely placed, as they would be in an
old Motown hit. The singers come in at just the right moments and sing only long
enough to make you wish they would continue. Fantasia sings very solidly and
assuredly, going slightly faster than the actual pace of the song, but not so
fast that it irritates you (i.e. Beyonce in the beginning of Cater To You).
Towards the end of the song she really takes it home, or as some would say
“takes it to church” as she sangs, “You playin games if
you don’t want me then don’t talk to me”. This song was by all means the
best choice for the title track.



Jazzy Pha provides production for the bass heavy “Don’t Act Right”. This
is your basic Jazzy track, meaning head bobbin is instantaneous and involuntary.
It’s a simple track, sing songy in a way. However, this element makes the song
easy to remember and sing back to yourself when you are not where the radio is.
Fantasia shows her versatility here, singly perfectly to the fast paced track,
yet still maintaining the soul her voice embodies.


Writing and Creativity
When Fantasia comes to mind, it’s usually the voice that sticks out and not
the subject matter of her songs. For this project, the writers obviously set out
to change that, making her words as memorable as her voice.



Most people who have heard this CD are talking about track #6, Baby Mama.
Fantasia and writers Harold Lilly, Neely Dinkins, Vito Colapietro, Barbara
Acklin & Eugene Record take a bold move here by dedicating a song to, yup, baby
mamas. In the first verse Fantasia even states that a song such as this is long
over due, singing, “It’s about time we had our own song/don’t know what
took so long/cause nowadays its like a badge of honor/to be a baby mama”. Fans
of Fantasia know that she makes no apologies for being in this position, so this
song’s purpose is to uplift those who are living the same experience. Take
these words from the second verse, “And all my girls who don’t get no
help/who gotta do everything by yourself remember/what don’t kill you can only
make you stronger”. Some have said the song is “Destiny Childish”, and
others have said it is just plain childish, but obviously Fantasia finds nothing
child like about trying to inspire mothers who are doing
it alone to keep their heads up.



If you didn’t know it, Fantasia is like something straight out of old school.
Proof lies in the old school inspired joint, “Good Lovin”, track #9 on the
CD. This song is so 1970s is crazy. From the production all the way to the
lyrics, this song takes you back to when words and thought, mattered. Take the
first verse, “What a sunny, sunny morning/when my man’s right by my side,
held me closely so close I felt love that’s like/it’s like paradise and
he/He called me his favorite girl/and for sure he’s my favorite boy/and I’ll
be there when he needs me to be like no other woman/give you joy”. This song
is lovable on so many levels; from its old school element, to the fact that no
one is making songs like this anymore, to that fact that Fantasia is the perfect
person to sing this type of song. Aside from the title track, this would be one
of the most memorable songs on this project. This song should be the next
single. That would be a definite slap in the face to
mainstream (which it needs), and really make some folks take a look at what
music should be all about.



Final Grade

Rhythm and Blues CD of the Year for 2004? YES! Fantasia definitely has a long
career ahead of her because of her versatility and boldness. She hits that high
note that you hear in your head, but don’t think will sing. She squalls, she
coos, she pulls from her heart and makes you listen. Nothing like this project
has hit the industry in years. This is literally, “music to your ears”.
Final Grade A+



**NFARED'S PICK: R&B CD Of The Year, FANTASIA BARRINO
















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www.middlechildpromotions.com ---NFARED













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