Review

LyricL: Amazed (Fresh Rotations)

Nkechi da LyricL (aka LyricL) has a new solo album called "Amazed." LyricL is no stranger to music and is a very well know singer/rapper and spoken word artist in several genres of dance music, including hip hop. She has performed as far afield as Russia, New Zealand, Austria, Japan and America with her music being supported by some heavyweight industry names.

Kev Beadle and Simon Harrison are just two DJ’s who have been playing her material and her most famous track to date was "Loose Lips" that did the rounds on the broken scene some time ago. Artist’s she’s worked and collaborated with include Kyoto Jazz Massive, Shuya Okino, Aroop Roy, MJ Cole, Bugz in the Attic…so you see what I’m getting at here. The girl has talent! This is LyricL’s first solo album though and features guest performances and production from the likes of Heidi Vogel , Mark de Clive Lowe, Daz I Que and DJ Spinna - HEAVY!

There are 13 tracks on this album with a little something for everyone. "Amazed," "How?," "2 Be,""Innit?" are all on the hip hop/spoken word tip and each track is very unique. "So Far," "Cold Feet," "To Me Me" [a wonderful piece of music], "Higher" and "Away" feature next and whilst all individual, still retain the rapping/spoken word style of LyricL, that has harmony oozing from every track. "Always Always" sees LyricL returning to bruk territory with a hybrid song/spoken word vocal as does next track up "Now" [produced with Daz I Cue]. Does it seem like I’m rushing through this album review? There’s a reason…a good one I’ll reveal shortly.

"Take it Off" is the penultimate offering on this long player, think down tempo and mellow and then we come to the last track.. Track 13, unlucky for some depending upon your beliefs is entitled "Sweet You." "Sweet You" is the reason I have dashed through this album review because frankly, I couldn’t wait to write about it. Unlucky 13 for LyricL does NOT apply in this instance.

"Sweet You" is all about some of the most melodic house music you will ever hear, aligned with a flowing chorus that is just sublime. This is coupled with chords, toasty trumpets and an amazing piece of spoken word vocal-ness (yes OK, I made that saying up) that gels this track together. The bassline acts as the river banks that the rest of the track flows through, and let me get to the point. This is one of THE best vocal house tracks of 2011. Simple! I absolutely love, adore, feel this track, it is nothing short of perfection for me. And it moves me too!

In fairness, I haven’t done her album justice here as I have rushed through the review, but it is an excellent piece of work generally. For me though, "Sweet You" is heads and shoulders above all of the other offerings, but that really isn’t taking anything away from any of the tracks and is a purely personal observation.

If you’re reading this review, you’re a reader of Blues & Soul. If you’re a reader of Blues & Soul, you love and care about good music. This album is definitely all about good music. Excellent piece of work.
Words GARETH MORGAN