Lisa Stansfield Album: “Moment [Bonus Track]”

Lisa is clearly gambling, though the risk is manageable, and bless her brave heart! With the recent release of THE MOMENT, as in the fine wines, the volatility is still too fresh, the vapors need to settle. I'd bet solidly on a memorable bouqet, but I'm not foolish enough to describe it just yet. The overall approach here is an adult contmporary "diva" album to showcase Lisa's performance and taste in material. Both of these facets, by the way, are in top form. The funny thing with this album is that it is very unconventional in it's conventional approach. When Lisa chose songs from outside writers, Dusty Springfield must have been her guardian angel, as this is the finest and most diverse taste we've seen in such a project for some time now. Highlights include "Say it to Me Now" (amazingly dissed by more than one "reviewer", this is an absolute gem!!), Lisa's self-penned title track (so much could be said, it is rich in metaphors and deceptively simple, a future classic!) which reads as a sort of maniphesto from a performer potentially at odds with her audience, but you'll find your own meaning, don't take mine at word! Two high-drama rock ballads are the surprise gems that will reward your purchase, and I'll let you discover them on your own! "If I Hadn't Got You" is a love letter to the fans (though not written by Lisa) that sees our girl wearing the catchy ditty with Armani style.

Weakest numbers? Unfortunately the self-written "He Touches Me" and "Love Without a Name" are cookie-cutter soul ballads that even Trevor's production can't seem to inspire. Here comes the big "However"-the two other self-penned efforts are amazingly rich and unique! My advice to Lisa would be to keep spending time in left field, it's working for her!

Over the years those fans lucky enough to follow Lisa have been treated to a musicality unprecedented in any Brit singer, male or female, since Dusty Springfield. This album is the latest icing on the cake of her career, and something tells me she's only on the soup course, here!! BUY IT and ENJOY!

I have been waiting for Lisa's new album since it was announced on her website. So, while in London, a week after it was released there, I bought a copy from the local HMV store. It didn't do well there in its first week of release. Despite that, I still wanted to support Lisa cause I know that every song this lady sings turns out to become a gem.

First and foremost, this is not an R&B album. This is also the first album that is not produced by her main collaborator and husband Ian Devaney. Instead she got to collaborate with the legendary Trevor Horn, who has produced great production work for Seal, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner and a bunch of other great artists. The result is a pleasant pop adult contemporary sounding music which showcases Lisa's maturity as a singer and desire to evolve her music beyond the R&B , and dance music vein.

In most cases, the songs on the Moment succeeds to soar and emote the feelings associated with these songs. but there are times when I just longed for the sound of her albums Affection and Real Love. Nonetheless, Trevor has guided Lisa to sound her best on this album. With a totally different style of production, he brought a fresh sound to accompany Lisa's beautiful, distinctive voice.

Songs on the Moment deal with the various affairs of the heart. The redemptive power of love and pain it brings with it. When she sings on Easier, I the sadness of a crumbling relationship can be felt.

Treat Me Like a Woman is so unlike all the songs she has done before. A feisty tone and a fresh contemporary sound; this is an anthem for female empowerment. Say It To Me Now, a power ballad, which is somewhat reminiscent of Elton John's The One, is filled with passion, intensity, and urgency. He Touches Me is a totally feel good number with Lisa singing

declaring of how she has found the happiness with a

man who could only give the simple things in life but which is what she most needs. Lay Your Hands On Me, a gorgeous love song with Lisa singing with sincerity and with the production a bit stripped. The Moment, the danciest number on the album about undying devotional love gave me goose bumps; but once again the production could have been better. The songs which really showcases Lisa's great voice are Take My Heart and Takes A Woman To Know. Lisa is certainly showing how she sings with passion and soul on these two songs. Love Without A Name with its spare production but beautiful lyrics is just wonderful.

Overall, Lisa should be applauded in taking a risk for stepping out of the R&B, dance music vein and without her constant collaborator Ian. And I'm happy she did. Though Ian contributed on most of her best work, Trevor brought something fresh to showcase Lisa's singing. I'm so glad that Lisa is still doing what she does best. This is a good pop album. Definitely radio friendly but not as edgier as her best albums such as Affection and Real Love. Still a good piece of work.

What is a shame is that Lisa Stansfield is probably one of the most underrated soul singers of our generation. Most only know her for her first hit single "All Around the World", but for those entlightened few..."The Moment" (her sixth studio album to date) is an honest return to form, but isn't at all saddled with previous formula.

The album opens with the ballad "Easier" which is currently the double A-Side single with "Treat Me Like A Woman". This ballad is one of several on this record that is well...refreshing. Unlike the ballads from her fourth self-titled studio effort, which were bogged down with tame music orchestrations, the dramatic romance of the lyrics works with the music to evoke emotion genuinely.

The up-tempo tracks are probably some of her best to date. The funk-work out of this album clearly goes to "Treat Me Like A Woman" with it contemporary guitar & drum stylings, Lisa's confident voice leads the charge. Her cover of Prefab Sprout's "When Love Breaks Down" is clearly screaming to be the follow-up single. The beat recalls "Someday I'm Coming Back" Lisa's one-off song from "The Bodyguard" Motion Picture Soundtrack. With the correct remixing the subtle dance potential of this track could make this song into a dance anthem.

"The Moment" as I see it is a success where Lisa seems to be laid back & having fun. This probably (and sadly) won't make much of a dent on the UK radio or charts, but longtime fans should lap this up. If you do enjoy this record, I recommend her previous studio album from 2001 "Face Up".

I was surprised and excited when I saw on here a post for a new album by the one and only Ms. Stansfield, and I was not disappointed, she really flows beautifully on this cd, while it is different from her earlier work, she still has the voice to pull it off, and I like that she isn't afraid to try different things, and I wish they would release this cd domestically as well. Some of the tracks that stood out the most are:

Say It To Me Now

Easier

Treat Me Like A Woman

The Moment

I look forward to her next project, may she keep reinventing, I will never get bored.

WOW. after all these years lisa Stansfield come back with one great cd. thanks to trevor horn, the vocals are some of the best lisa has done. i am a big stansfield fan, and i really like the newer pop sound, got tired of the R&B thing she was doing before, it all started to sound the same.....with trevor, he helps breath new life into lisa and her work...some of the best songs, easier, when love breaks down, lay your hands on me, the moment, only wish there were more uptempo songs, but all and all.....what a wonderful cd. some people said it took them sometime to get use to the new sound.....i say, bring on more. if your a fan, and love lisa's voice,...then youll love this cd, i cant wait till the next one. thanks lisa. keep up the good work.