Turn Me Loose

Great singer lyrics are okay but, sometimes she's preachy
Ledisi a great singer with a good range but, her songs do not match the caliber of singer she is to me. She's sometimes too preachy and at times I grew tired of listening to this cd.

Could have done with a few `changes'...
I blind purchased `Turn Me Loose' based on some recommendations and reviews that made me feel as though this was going to be an album I'd really appreciate. I have never listened to Ledisi before this. In fact, I had never even heard of her. After listening to this album a few times I must say that, while I really like her voice and her style, there is one major flaw on this album that makes it hard for me to praise it. It's repetitious to a fault. While most of the tracks on `Turn Me Loose' are roughly 4-minutes, the repetitious nature of the lyrics and the musical arrangements can make the songs feel like they drag on for 7 or 8 minutes. I mean, she's even redundant when it comes to her song titles (Everything Changes, Goin' Thru Changes, The Changes, Love Never Changes). Also, is it just me or do a lot of these songs feel reminiscent of early Destiny's Child? For me, the album opens and closes flawlessly. `Runnin' is impeccable and completely engaging. I love the rocker edge, and the Chaka Khan comparisons are appropriate, but not definitive (which is a nice way of saying that she embellishes her influences, not mimics them). `Them Changes' deals well with the repetition (I, for one, hate the fact that the best song on the album, `Runnin', is also the shortest, at just over 2-minutes), delivering a song that has a nice flow and allows Ledisi to sport her spunk while establishing her style. `Knockin' is another track that is beautifully executed and really corrals all that makes Ledisi special (notice, I really like her as an artist and enjoy what she brings to the table, despite my issues with the overall package). Take southern rock, gospel, Motown and R&B and you have `Knockin'. `Trippin' has a totally different vibe to it, so laid back and infectiously slinky. I love the sensuality evoked here, because it is so refined and almost arrogant, without being repulsive. It drips with confidence. Simply stunning. Sadly, after the stunning opener (my appetite was totally wet), the album drops drastically with the dull and uneventful `Everything Changes'. The next few tracks (`Turn Me Loose', `Higher Than This' and `Alone') keep with that dull drag. These are the tracks that simply grow tiresome, which is sad because some have major promise. I love the vibe of `Alone', but the song repeats that word far too much, to the point where I'm completely done with the song before its even half way through. `Higher Than This' is possibly the most repetitive track on the album (it's also the longest, so go figure). The album then takes a nice turn for the good, thrusting itself in a string of effective tracks (marred by one misstep, but we'll get there in a minute). `Love Never Changes' has a beautiful melody that brings the listener to a beautiful place. `Please Stay' capitalizes on the spunk Ledisi brings to the table. `Goin Thru Changes' has a nice R&B (throwback) vibe that suits Ledisi's vocals beautifully, and `I Need Love' has underlying layers of modern hip-hop that take it to another place, separate from the album. These tracks don't reach the brilliance of `Knockin' or `Trippin', but they strike a nice balance and prove to be provocative and exciting. `The Answer to Why' is completely different than anything on the album, and while I appreciate Ledisi's attempt at something so different for her, it almost sounds like a Disney song, and not one of the better ones. But, the worst thing here is, by far, `Say No'. Lyrically, vocally, structurally; it's just a total mess. I actually loathe this song, completely. That's never a good thing, but this song angers me. In the end, I like Ledisi overall and feel compelled to check out her other albums. I hear she likes to `change', so she may prove to be someone I constantly go to for new flavor. She has the chops (her voice is outstanding at times) and I like that she obviously has a viewpoint and style, and that's always important in an industry that constantly churns out the same ol' same over and over again. Ledisi stand out. Sadly, I cannot completely give myself to this album. For me, this is an easy C+ album, but judging by some of the more stellar tracks, this could have been an easy A+ had she done some much needed fine tuning. If you're interested, I'd rank the album like so... 1) Runnin' 2) Trippin' 3) Knockin' 4) Them Changes 5) I Need Love 6) Please Stay 7) Love Never Changes 8) Goin' Thu Changes 9) Alone 10) The Answer to Why 11) Turn Me Loose 12) Higher Than This 13) Everything Changes 14) Say No

A Step In Another Direction...
Compared to the lost and found album which was much more calm, this album seems like a party? I enjoy all her music no doubt, but I didnt enjoy this album as much as her last. Shes a great artist and I love the way her soul is put into each note of the lyrics. Her albums show transformation, from lost and found, to... I guess she found herself? She seems stronger in this album as well.

Wow! Instant Classic" I Ain't Trippin
I didn't know if Ledisi was going to fall off after Lost and Found but she surprised the hell out of me this cd is one of the most diverse cd's that i have heard in a long long time.I give her props for her courageous expression through out this project her voice sounds very clear and confident. this is like a mini concert she rocks the ballads Goin thru Changes and Higher Than This, & rips the up tempo I Need Love and my favorite track Trippin These 4 tracks are probably the best on this project but several other tracks shouldn't be slept on as well Everything Changes,Please Stay, Them Changes.There is something here for everyone,Funk,Soul Blues,Nu Soul,Funk Rock.This is one of the years because it doesn't fit into one specific genre. When most of today's artist try to win you over with style this sexy siren wins you over with style and substance. 5 out of 5 stars Peace.

for the "grown & sexy"
this is grown folks music, a breath of fresh air from th pop that has taken over soul music. the heart of this cd, tracks 5-11, is hittin. i wish her much success and can't wait to see her perform. the songs i especially love are: 8 - knockin 10 - going through changes 11 - i need love