Tweet Southern Hummingbird CD

This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Contains 2 untitled hidden tracks after "Southern Hummingbird (Outro)."
Personnel includes: Tweet, Missy Elliott, Bilal.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
Prior to her debut album, Southern Hummingbird, Tweet made her name as a protégée of Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott, appearing as a backing/guest vocalist on a few tracks with Elliott and, naturally, Elliott's producer, Timbaland. It should come as no surprise that those are the two dominant personalities on Southern Hummingbird, even if Tweet produces and co-writes several cuts here, since this whole axis has one sound that has served them well. Served them so well, it's given them critical and chart hits, along with a host of imitators, so there is no reason to abandon it now, even if the skeletal rhythms and endlessly looped riffs are beginning to wear a bit thin. This formula depends more on the overall sound of the track than the charisma of the singer -- but, ironically enough, it works best when its fronted by somebody with personality, like Elliott. Tweet fades into the mix. She's attractive and is sweetly sexy, but isn't forceful. That works to her advantage on the lead single, "Oops (Oh My)," where she's so taken by a seduction she can barely speak, or even name who's taking her. Driven by a clever Casio-bass clarinet loop, it's the hottest thing on the record, punctured slightly by Elliott's disarming murmur, "I was feeling so good I had to touch myself," but it's good enough to withstand that. The rest of Southern Hummingbird sustains the essential feel of that track, occasionally forcing a Sign o the Times-era Prince to the forefront (which is welcome), and it does have a few songs that distinguish themselves, such as "Smoking Cigarettes," but it all blends together a little bit too much to be distinctive and, as such, it has a faint feel of product, a slow seduction record for the Timbaland-worshipping hipster set. A feel that is only enhanced by the end of the record, when Tweet actually records her thank you shout-outs as a full track, then, as a bonus, there are two uncredited Missy Elliott tracks that don't seem to have a trace of Tweet to them. Their inclusion is puzzling, unless you consider them the overdue payment of distinctive hip-hop for those hardcore fans who sat through the even-handed, stylish but samey urban soul that is Southern Hummingbird. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Despite being a protege of hip-hop artist Missy Elliott, Rochester native Tweet has a style much more in common with the urban soul of India.Arie. Having spent nearly a decade trying to get a big break, Tweet offers a more mature approach to her relationship themes. Despite the presence of executive producers Elliott and longtime creative partner Timbaland, much of SOUTHERN HUMMINGBIRD is steeped in Tweet's honeyed vocals and acoustic guitar woven around languid grooves.
Songs like the slow-jam "Smoking Cigarettes" and "Best Friend" (featuring Bilal and his Prince-like falsetto), play up the pain of love and loss while uptempo jams like "Boogie 2Nite" and "Make Ur Move" use infectious beats and juicy harmonies to cast these weightier concerns to the wind. Hip-hop heads end up getting their Jones fed with "Oops (Oh My)," the lead-off smash duet with Missy, defined by Elliott's subtle electronic-flavored production hand. Tweet's organic musical approach comes across best on "Motel," where the soulful siren uses a single acoustic guitar and a dash of background vocal accompaniment to sing this tale of a jilted lover getting busted in the act. SOUTHERN HUMMINGBIRD is a musical tonic guaranteed to make your soul soar.Q (6/02, p.123) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...Another Missy Elliott and Timbaland-produced gem. Located-musically and vocally- somewhere between Aaliyah and Brandy...Tweet is heavy on the ballads but she avoids excessive sugariness via edgy, sensual lyrics..."
CMJ (4/1/2002, p.11) - "...Tweet calls upon the gods of dance and soul to showcase her wide range of talents....the musical equivalent of white cotton string-bikini underwear and thigh-high leather boots..."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/02, p.108) - "...It's hard to miss an echo of the young Tina Turner...she produces as well as writes leaving few emotional stones unturned."
NME (Magazine) (5/18/02, p.35) - 6 out of 10 - "...An agreeable collection of R&B, soul and disco singles..."