Of course this is the most fun I have had doing a review in a while. EXCELLENT
CD!!! A++++++++++++++!!! Nfa The First Lady
The Review By Nfared



The career, the life, of Faith Evans has had more ups and downs than a ride at
your local amusement park. Yet her astounding resilience has kept her relevant,
allowing her to boast a career in the industry spanning ten years. The
embodiment of her name, Faith is back with The First Lady. The album,
appropriately titled, is a staggering testament to true talent and a time where
quality in music was not just an afterthought.



While usually dropping an up tempo, club song as the debut first single, Faith
this time chose to release the bold and telling “Again”. Obviously aimed at
clearing up rumors about recent events in her life, she goes a step further in
the chorus by saying that all the drama she has been through has “made me who I
am”. Surprisingly specific with the subject matter, she makes no apologies for
the experiences she has had or the mistakes she has made. Lines from the song
including, “I know there’s a reason for everything/that’s why I keep
believing/what ever’s meant to be/it’s gonna be” seem like they have been
mantras for her entire life. Vocally, she sings very calmly, seemingly unnerved
by what people may think. She eases through the song with an amazing confidence,
audibly blending the pain of her struggles with the joys of her success. Though
surely Faith has done some looking back over her life, she has found in music,
particularly with this song, a way to make her past stay
exactly where it is.



As if stripped from the 70’s, “Mesmorized” closes the gap between old school and
the current age. The soulful, funky track produced by Chucky Thompson, Andre
“AJ” Johnson and husband Todd Russaw, just feels good. There are no fillers, no
extra noises and unidentified sounds; just a simple beat with breakdowns placed
as they would be in a much older song. Though Faith is singing, it’s as if at
any given moment, Aretha Franklin or James Brown will start singing at one of
the breakdowns. The song is simple, like music used to be. The lyrics are in
perfect tune with the tracks as Faith sings, “You don’t know/what you do to
me/let me tell you/how you make me feel/need your lovin/so good to me…” Faith
steps beyond the bounds of what seems to be a stagnant music industry that is
unwilling to step up its game. Everything about this track, from the first drum
beat to the last word, shows an appreciation for music that is a welcome
contrast to the microwaved lyrics and cookie-cutter beats
artist tend to release.



With producer credits including The Neptunes, Karma Productions and Jermaine
Dupri, Faith Evans continues to show striking versatility. This album is a
fearless display of creativity and passion for music. Capitol Records made a
wise investment in an artist who is at the top of her career, and perhaps, her
life.



Alfred “Nfared” Vines



---------------------------------
Yahoo! Messenger
Show us what our next emoticon should look like. Join the fun.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]