Disco de Lisa Stansfield: “Face Up [Japan Bonus Track]”

I will never forget my teen days plugging up my walkman earphone and turned on the radio loud when ALL AROUND THE WORLD came into the air of the local stations...

Even I was 15 I knew and I could tell Stansfield was going to be the new Best Brit Pop Diva, she will only get better and classier than her peers Dina Carroll, Cathy Dennis and Kylie Minogue. (Check out the scene in her latest video LET'S JUST CALL IT LOVE as she steps out of the dark limo in a scarlet evening lace dress and sashays down the street to meet her "Lover in Crime"!)

FACE UP is the 5th full-length studio record and effort in 4 years from Stansfield and her long musical companion/love in life/husband/buddy Ian Devaney, with a few tracks co-written and produced by their musical partner Richard Darbyshire.

The Love Duo proves once again at best with their typical upbeat tempo, outrospectively soulful live jazz dance music in the great opener I'VE GOT SOMETHING BETTER. "Open up show me love turn up the music..." Stansfield pronounces in her deep Rochdale accent with a veteran diva vocal that exudes that kind of energy which makes you jump up straight and tap your feet along every beat as she sings...

YOU CAN DO THAT is a pretty funky number in contrast right after the contemporary upbeat exciting sound of the first 2 tracks.

And yes, the most probably biggest smash hit from this album, EIGHT-THREE-ONE, is the indeniably best classic Stansfield trademark disco rhythm (check out the David Morales mix in the new single) after her self-titled 4th album's single NEVER NEVER GONNA GIVE YOU UP. Sound as if we haven't got enough of great stuff from Stansfield, the follow-up title track FACE UP continues to encho her much Barry-White-defined disco sound.

The European Union edition of this album I owe is a deleted copy which only features up to track 13, WHEN THE LAST SUN GOES DOWN. Ironically, this track is the ultimately sentimental ballad that is rather appropriate to round up the album at last and best for a romantic evening you have shared with your love partner.

You know we lovers or fans love this album and only expect you to do even better, thank you Lady Lisa Stansfield.

I'm very surprised at the critical nature of most of the reviews here. No artist that has been around as long as the great Lisa Stansfield is going to put out a five star album every time. Yes, her classics are "Real Love" "Affection" and the incredible "So Natural" but "Face Up" is a really good cd. It's more stripped down than several of her other releases, but "Face Up" features excellent vocals, arrangements and her trademark themes of self empowerment and positivity.

You'll love it.

I've loved Lisa since the first time I heard her voice years ago... and THAT style... WOW! Some say that she sounds similar on several albums, but trust me, this is a GREAT thing here! This album, which I whipped out a walloping 30 dollars for at Virgin Megastore for. Thanks Arista for being MORONS(once more) and not giving it a U.S. release! Since Clive left, it has obviously gone downhill! Thanks for giving us a great album Lisa. You're one-of-a-kind !

That the divine Ms. S could not get this CD released is strong testimony to the decline of the US music market. The women has pipes that put 90% of the popular divas to shame! while I continue to lament her production team (this kind of voice deserves more than a keyboard equivalent of drums, bass, string and horns, get this woman together with a real producer!) which, I feel, lowers the aural enjoyability of her CDs (thump thump bass drum, not a natural sound to be heard other than her marvelous vocal interpretations) I continue to find myself listening intently, eyes closed, to her singing. 3 or 4 really goods songs per CD is fine with me, almost everything here is worth listening to and, as I said, 3 or 4 are reall keepers. long live Lisa Stansfield, and someone hear my plea for a record company to grab her and raise her up where she belongs; at the pinnacle of the music business, giving enjoyment to millions.

I stake my claim as her biggest fan since I am featured in her home video as her biggest fan! The first time I listened to this CD I was disappointed as well, I'm afraid. I worried that this material would not resurrect her career because it wasnt enough of a "new sound" or a different direction for Lisa apart from the rhythm track of the single, Lets Just Call It Love. If I forget about my worries about her career this is actually a strong album. I, like many of you, thought her last self-titled CD was hard to beat. Its a shame it never caught on because it was truly amazing. I started listening to Face Up again a few months ago and I really love it now. In fact Don't Leave Me Now I'm In Love is now in my top 7 favorite songs shes ever done. It is simply gorgeous. And whereas at first I disliked Didn't I, now that I can TOTALLY relate to this song, it brings tears to my eyes now. I've always liked Wish On Me. I'm surprised that some of you thought she has changed so much. The song Face Up could have easily been on So Natural or Real Love. I thought it sounded kind of dated for that reason. The only song I dislike is All Over Me-the extra track at the end. Up until then I can REALLY listen to it all the way through. I enjoy the songs that much!Give it a listen again guys! Lisa, I love you work.