My OperaRegina Belle - Stay With Me (1989)
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:28:46 PM
Regina Belle - Stay With Me
R&B | WAV | CUE | LOG | ART | 589MB | 58:40
Columbia 1989
Stay with Me is the second album by singer-songwriter, Regina Belle. It was released in 1989, two years after her 1987 debut album, "All By Myself". The upgrade of material found on this followup album gave her the chance to truly soar as a vocalist The seminal smash hit (#1 on the R&B charts), "Stay With Me", cemented the notion that Regina Belle is one of the more mature and sophisticated songstresses of our times.
"Baby Come to Me" was the album's breakout single, a lush and seductive affair whose jazz overtones were confirmed with a delicious muted trumpet solo. Belle's jazz chops come out in full force, however, on the bluesy "What Goes Around," and her soaring performance on "Make it Like it Was" will undoubtedly inspire chills down the backs of any fan of earthy soul. "Good Lovin" even manages to marry art and commerce, juxtaposing an impressive vocal with an infectious hip-hop beat.
A couple of compositions might not be worth her time, such as "When Will You Be Mine," an unnecessary upbeat exercise with a flimsy hook, and the mediocre ballad "It Doesn't Hurt Anymore," which gives Regina plenty of opportunity to belt but little chance to distinguish herself. Despite the weak material, Belle manages to still make them both work. All is forgiven, however, on the album's finest moment, "Save the Children/Someday We'll All Be Free." Pairing up social consciences of Marvin Gaye and Donny Hathaway (respectively) is a nice idea, and the songs blend well together. But it's Regina's gospel-tinged vocal that brings the house down, and if her pitch, phrasing, and inflection between the solo and finale don't knock you out, virtually nothing in R&B will.
Chock-full of tasteful arrangements and skillful vocals, "Stay With Me" places Regina Belle in the company of Anita Baker...and it places R&B fans in the company of greatness.
~ TRACKLISTING ~
01. Baby Come to Me
02. When Will You Be Mine
03. Dream Lover
04. What Goes Around
05. Make It Like It Was
06. Good Lovin'
07. It Doesn't Hurt Anymore
08. This Is Love
09. It's Gonna Take All Our Love
10. Someday We'll All Be Free/Save the Children
11. All I Want Is Forever
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
ARTWORK
BIO
Submitted by Brotha Blaq
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MaseZeitgeist44 # Tuesday, March 31, 2009 10:29:15 PM