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AMERICAN IDOL winner Fantasia Barrino mixed hip-hop with classic soul on her 2004 debut, FREE YOURSELF. Yet the slick, urban contemporary sound of the album may have alienated some of Fantasia's fans, who were more accustomed to the old-school approach she'd displayed on AMERICAN IDOL. Consequently, Fantasia's follow-up sticks more closely to vintage R&B, resulting in a more confident and consistent album.
This is not to say that Fantasia doesn't still have her fingers in the hip-hop pie: there is a rap from Outkast's Big Boi on "Hood Boy," for example, and "Two Weeks Notice" was co-written by Missy Elliott. Yet FANTASIA is full of energetic R&B drivers and aching ballads that owe more to Motown and Stax/Volt than Def Jam. The production is superior, and the songs are strong, but the real selling point of the disc is still Fantasia's dazzling, powerhouse voice. With performances like these, FANTASIA is sure to please the diva's AMERICAN IDOL fans, and win her some new ones as well.
Recording information: Brandon's Way Recording, Los Angeles, CA; Chalice Studios, Los Angeles, CA; Goldmind Studios, Quad Recording Studios, New York, NY; KI Studios, West Orange, NJ; PJFmusic.com; Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta, GA; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY; Stankonia Studios, Atlanta, GA; Studio 609, Philadelphia, PA; Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA.
Photographer: Randall Slavin.
Personnel: Missy Elliott (vocals); Taurian "TJ" Osborne (strings); Louis Biancaniello (keyboards, programming); Peter Rogers (keyboards); Corte Ellis (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Vincent Dilorenzo; Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica; Manny Marroquin; Dave Russell ; Paul J. Falcone; Jimmy Douglass; Jon Gass; Rich Keller.
Rolling Stone (p.126) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "Fantasia expands her range, adds some attitude and comes up with some genuine R&B gems." Entertainment Weekly (p.79) - "[A]n artist who has something original to contribute to the industry." -- Grade: B-
Missy Elliott; Andre Harris; Vidal Davis; Swizz Beatz; Bryan Michael Cox; Midi Mafia; Philip Lees; Harold Lilly; Sean Garrett; Missy Elliott; Andre Harris; Vidal Davis; Swizz Beatz; Babyface
Engineer
Missy Elliott; Chris Spilfogel; Aaron Fessel; Marcella "Ms. Lago" Araica; Corte Ellis; Alonzo Vargas; Vernon Mungo; Andros Rodriguez; Brian Sumner; Paul J. Falcone; Phil Margaziotis; Ruben Rivera; Paul Boutin; Sam Thomas
Where does Fantasia fit in??? Fantasia is not doing the type of music that her fans - at least those beyond hard-core R&B - want to hear. She seems lost and does not know where she fits in. The music here is good, but it is not special. Fantasia's voice is lost in all of the production. Any singer could have done this CD; the singer is not very important when the production is so darned overpowering as it is here. I hate what has happened to Fantasia, because I truly think she has a talent. Sadly, it is burried beneath too much flashy production, too many background voices, and a style that does not allow her to truly SING. "Hood Boy" is a good song, as are several others here, yet WHERE IS FANTASIA? She is MIA on this slick set. Her managers do not seem to know what the heck to do with her. Shame, too. She truly is talented. Submitted by mistercarter2u (Richmond, VA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
I can't wait to hear more....Love both albums I love fantasia....Am not going to lie I didn't think her first album was going to be a album that I'll buy listen to and love; But I dooo!!. I thought they would be all slow sing music that only show's her vocals which is not a bad thing. But boy was I wrong every one I know was talking about how good her CD was even my mamma. And her 2nd album is just as good as the first album. I love the song's on her CD b/c not only are they upbeat and not boring but they all mostly have meaning to them That ever one can relate to and still show her vocals. Keep it up I can't wait till the 3rd album Submitted by Resa (Raleigh NC) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Ghetto Hood Classic Encore please, this album production standards are as good if not better than her first album. Top rate producers and songwriters. All around great album. i will buy the third album once it is released!!!!!!!! Submitted by jack (D-town) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
This is hot I love this album.I love Fantasia my favorite songs on here are hood boy and number 11 and number 8 i don't know the names of them but they sure are on FIRE.The whole album is good though.But if you haven't heard it you better go get it because this CD is hot.And when I mean hot I mean hot like it's burning up.So go get it. Submitted by Troi Brown (mexico, mo. USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
the best cd out this cd is the best cd i've gottin in a long time i listen to it everyday. I love this cd i can just put it in and press play its that good Submitted by Jbreel (Birmingham,AL,USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Where does Fantasia fit in???
I can't wait to hear more....Love both albums
Ghetto Hood Classic
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