SHAREEFA - POINT OF NO RETURN
The Start
[1:03]1.6 Mb
Cry No
[3:27]4.9 Mb
U Told Me
[4:21]6.4 Mb
Need a Boss (featuring Ludacris)
[3:51]5.8 Mb
No One Said Prelude (Skit)
[1:07]1.7 Mb
No One Said
[3:12]4 Mb
Butterfly
[4:09]7.1 Mb
How Good Luv Feels
[4:22]6.1 Mb
Phony
[3:59]5.4 Mb
Assumptions
[3:41]5.4 Mb
Hey Babe (Give Me Ya Lovin) (featuring Bobby Valentino)
[4:21]6.1 Mb
Eye Wonder
[4:49]6.9 Mb
Trippin
[4:18]5.4 Mb
Fevah (He Don't Know)
[3:44]5.3 Mb
The End
[2:54]3.7 Mb
Shareefa "Point of No Return" Album Review
Promising new singer: 3 ½ Stars
Shareefa seems to be one of those R&B singers that comes out of nowhere and gets lost in the mix of all the "noticed" new R&B singers and the "vets" in the business. It is unfortunate because Shareefa has some pipes on her that trumps a number of other new R&B singers, though she doesn't receive the recognition (commercial success) that the other singers do. Her fellow DTP labelmate Bobby Valentino managed to get a top ten single with "Slow Down" (I believed it peaked at #8) as well as a top five album (DTP PRESENTS BOBBY VALENTINO debuted at #3 with 180,000 copies) that went on to be gold certified. It is arguable that POINT OF NO RETURN is stronger than Bobby's album, but its subtle #25 bow doesn't exactly speak volumes and it's lone charting single "Need A Boss?" featuring Ludacris wasn't exactly a success. Despite that, the statement "quality over quantity" or in this case "quality over commercial success" still holds to some extent, but for a first album, one only wishes that Shareefa's efforts were truly appreciated and embraced by fans.
The first comparison people make about Shareefa is that she is trying to pattern herself after Mary J. Blige. While this is true, she isn't quite at that level or quite as convincing as the great MJB, but she does show promise, just like Keyshia Cole did two years ago when her platinum certified THE WAY IT IS paved the way for her. "Cry No More" is a more characteristic performance of this MJB influence. It is a great choice for a second single, better than the somewhat clunky, odd "Need A Boss", which features Ludacris. I understand exactly why "Need A Boss" was chosen as a single; it features big name Ludacris (multiplatinum selling rapper) there to "endorse" new and upcoming singer Shareefa. It isn't bad, but it isn't incredibly catchy or memorable, which perhaps hindered sales of POINT OF NO RETURN. So "Need A Boss?" isn't the best track on POINT OF NO RETURN, but there are a number of highlights.
"U Told Me" doesn't eclipse the great "CRY NO MORE", but it isn't bad by any means. "No One Said" features exceptional neo-soul production work using a killer sample with Shareefa's alto vocals riding on top of the production. A catchy chorus highly benefits this number. "Butterfly" isn't a bad track either, and is pretty well written. Again, I think the aim to make Shareefa a "soul revivalist" as opposed to a merely contemporary R&B singer is the right notion. The emotion of such songs such as "Butterfly" make this notion correct. The Bobby V./Shareefa duet "Hey Babe (Give Me Ya' Lovin')" is perhaps one of the very strongest tracks on the album, yet it will probably be incredibly underrated, which is sad. Other standouts include the great "How Good Love Feels", "Phony", and "Assumptions".
There is nothing truly bad on POINT OF NO RETURN, but there is sometimes a lack of truly memorable material, which does hold Shareefa from bringing up her talent to the next level. Overall though, Shareefa has great promise that shouldn't be overlooked by any means. 3 ½ Stars.
Video Shareefa - "Cry No More"
From the new album Point Of No Return in stores now
KELLY PRICE - THIS IS WHO I'AM
This is Who I'am
[4:35]7.2 Mb
Heavens Best
[4:46]7.6 Mb
The Warning
[5:35]9 Mb
God is Faithful (featuring Donnie Mcclurkin)
[4:40]7.6 Mb
God is not Dead
[4:16]6.9 Mb
Just as I'am
[3:49]5.9 Mb
What a Friend (featuring Richard Smallwood)
[5:03]8.1 Mb
Get Up and Praise
[3:51]6.6 Mb
I Can't Turn Back
[5:45]9.6 Mb
Healing
[4:11]7.2 Mb
Nobody but Jesus (featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
[8:15]12.9 Mb
Kelly Price "This is Who I'am" Album Review
This is who I am
I have waited for a long time for Kelly Price to release another CD... This gospel CD was well worth the wait.. She is excellent as usual and she adds surprise guess artists that are out of this world! Well done Kelly...
Video Kelly Price-This is Who I Am
Kelly Price's this who I am.I love this song and the album!
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