Disco de Emma Bunton: “Free Me [UK]”

A 21st Century Petula Clark. And believe me, that IS NOT an insult.

Despite this being Emma Bunton's second time around as a solo artist, 'Free Me' is actually her first disc to be released in America. In 2001, Virgin Records oversaw the release of her first album, 'A Girl Like Me,' which was not released in the US market. Shortly after they dumped her from their roster.

Yet out of her departure with Virgin came 'Free Me,' Bunton's more mature, sophomore effort overseen by 19 Records. On her first album Bunton hadn't quite found her sound. It was a bit erratic and possessed a hodge podge of pop tracks mixed with lite R&B tracks, whereas 'Free Me' possesses a unique 60s sound reminiscent of Petula Clark. Working closely with music guru Simon Fuller and 19 Recordings, Emma managed to find her sound and craft an album that is not only timeless but original.

The album's opener and title track, 'Free Me,' possesses a sexy James Bond theme with a heavenly chorus and lush horn sounds. Bunton's voice sounds ever so sweet and blends wonderfully with the rich instruments found on this track. What follows is 'Maybe,' the album's pinnacle and arguably one of the most infectious pop songs of the last decade. Straight out of the 60s, Emma works her magic with catchy 'ba da ba da ba' bits strewn over a bossanova beat that includes light drums, pianos, and horns. It's a blast from the past pop song that one might expect to find as the themesong to an Austin Powers film. And 'I'll Be There' is crafted in the same light. It's dramatic and includes a big, sing-out-loud chorus and a fantastic instrumental breakdown.

'Breathing' is a stand out track which features more of Emma's sweet as candy vocals that drip over subtle maracas and light drums. The long player picks up with another album gem, 'Crickets Sing For Anamaria,' which despite its odd title is an interesting piece. Although it is a cover song and a difficult one at that, Emma manages to make it all her own. Rising up to the challenge, she glides through the difficult, quick chorus with ease. It deviates from the 60s theme slightly in that it is very Latin influenced. It's a definite contender with 'Maybe' for the title of the most unique song on the album.

Midway through the album Emma adopts a bit of an attitude in 'Who The Hell Are You?' Yet her vocals retain the same sweetness found throughout 'Free Me,' despite singing a song about being jilted by a lover. 'I know what I like, I don't like you very much. Here's one thing you can do, stay out of touch,' sings Bunton in the breakdown before the drums kick back in and she dives back into the chorus. 'Lay Your Love On Me,' which follows, is a sexy Cathy Dennis penned track that see's Emma back to oozing sex appeal and talking about the birds and the bee's.

The 60s fest comes to an end with 'Something So Beautiful,' a number where Emma's light, sometimes whispery vocals sound incredible as they intertwine with horns and strings before being joined by light drums. The disc finishes with two fantastic dance remixes of the title track, 'Free Me,' by Dr. Octavo and Full Intention. While the Full Intention mix is superb, the Dr. Octavo mix goes one step further and surrounds Emma's vocals with swirling synth sounds that turn the song into an anthematic club stomper.

While artists like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff rely on electronic music, Emma opts for live instruments. Rich sounds and tone color are heard through the album. 'Free Me' is a triumph, a real delightful throwback to 60s music that would have been wasted had one of Bunton's contemporaries tried to make this album.

I've been a Spice Girls fan for about seven years now. I followed the group when they headed back into the European/UK pop scene, & watched each of the five girls start solo careers. Most don't know that Emma had her first single back in 1999, her cover of Edie Brickell's "What I Am", her first album "A Girl Like Me" followed in early 2001. Emma has always been hard at work delivering above average pop for quite sometime.

Flash forward to today & Emma has become one of the most successful of the former Spice Girls. "Free Me", which I purchased last February when released in the UK for $35 bucks, is an excellent chill-out/lounge record with '60's influences of Motown, bossa nova, & jazz to name a few.

The record is nothing but lush, from it's orchestrated soundscapes on tracks such as the romantic "Something So Beautiful" or "Tomorrow". But those who want more than ballads will also be satisfied with the upbeat tropical romp of "Crickets Sing For Anamaria" or sassy bounce of "Maybe". The record is something that anyone can listen to; an aspect of any great pop record.

Now the remixes tagged onto the end is what got this album considered for a US release. Unless you are into the club scene these remixes really won't do much for you, & you might want to consider purchasing the original version. I myself now own a UK & US copy of this astounding pop record.

While it is doubtful that Emma will find as much success with this album as she did on the UK Singles & Album charts, it isn't a bad starting point for working in the States.

Since I was a kid in the 1960's, I've always enjoyed the pop sounds of that era. The lounge sounds of Burt Bacharach, Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66, of "Look of Love" Dusty Springfield and Marilyn McCoo. And, I thought original music in the genre had long since disappeared, only to be enjoyed on reissued CD's and the occassional James Bond rerun (Connery only).

Well, here it is again in the sounds of Bunton on "Free Me". In a word, this is a "lush" album. Frankly, I was surprised. My daughter was but a moderate Spice Girls fan, and I would only get an ear of their music through her door. Didn't know much about them. But, a while back I was poaching the books while drinking my coffee at Borders when I heard something over the PA I hadn't heard in a long time--original 1960's influenced melodies. When the clerk told me who the artist was, I admitted to having never heard of her (I didn't know any of the Spice Girls by name only) but bought the album on the spot and took it home.

I have a vintage 1968 Corvette in which I pretty much only play vintage 1960's music. But the "Free Me" album is a great interface for pure pleasure driving the car--especially at night. This album is simply SUPERB, lush, in evoking moods--much in ways of Bacharach, Sinatra, and Springfield.

Bunton is spot-on with regards to vocal timbre of the 1960's, but even more impressive are the orchestral arrangements. It is quite apparent that no expense was spared in the hiring of top notch musicians for this album. The album is well-made. After listening through a few times, set your player to Random to see just how nicely produced is each song. Insofar as Bunton was also a co-writer on each song, this just proves that she had a sense of wanting to capture the important pop tonalities of the 1960's from the start.

Ironically, the only time the album lags is when she departs from the '60's pop sound for a modern duet ("Amazing") that sounds like the theme to the 1980's Bruce Willis/Sibyl Shepard "Moonlighting" television show. Odd, and out of place, the inclusion of this one.

Otherwise, an excellent effort from Bunton that is highly recommended for someone looking for music influenced by the 1960's atomic lounge pop sounds. It's lush, it's fun, it's romantic, and it's a different sound for today--especially in a top-down 'Vette in the summer nightime city. I very much hope she stays with this for a while.

Well, she totally took her time to come back to the music bizz. I'm so glad she did that!. Her new album, Free Me, is an outstanding combination of '60s tunes and trendy pop beats. I'm sure American people will love it, so I encourage you all to purchase it, trust me, it'll be worth it. Personally, I enjoy every single track on the album, though my favs are Maybe, Free Me, Breathing and No Signs of life (It should have been a single in Europe!).

It's time for everybody to start giving the solo Spices a chance. They're damn good!, get rid of all kinds of prejudice, sit back and enjoy what pop music is all about.