Since the release of Blue Six Aquarian Angel album in March. I have been hard pressed to find a complete great album. Finally, I can sit back and play a whole cd all the way through. I knew when I first heard Rise a few years ago that Samantha would make a great record someday. Well it is here and I beg you not to sleep on this one. The sound is very nice. If you like electronic music with vocals then you must check out Samantha. If you never have heard of Blue Six you should check him along with one of my favorite artist Aya.
Samantha James , Rise, is the best all around CD I've heard in years, and I've been
on this planet 60 plus.
Every song is inspiring and uplifting . I've played it dailyfor the past month since
my purchase, even @ work.
It may be considered electroinca by the industry, but I say it's dance,/gospel, trance
all rolled into one.
I use Rise, Breath You In and Send it Out to the Universe during my morning
meditation/stretch sessions.
I highly recommend it to anyone who wants/desires a lift in their daily life.
I've been listening to this album repeatedly ever since I got it last week. It's amazing. This may be classified as electronica, but the vocals are more reminiscent of smooth jazz. Samantha has a way with vocal stylings that set her apart from many of her electronica contemporaries. She sings with feeling, the words have meaning, and, not to forget the other important part: the music. The beats are generally uptempo without being manic and the overall sound is lush, full, and compelling. 'Send It Out To The Universe' is probably my favorite track at this moment, but everything here is high quality. Buy this, you'll be glad you did.
Have you ever come across a singer so mindblowingly talented it makes you wonder "Where has this person been all my life?!"? Aren't you then shocked to discover that said artist is flying under the radar with little to no exposure? What's up with that? Samantha James falls into that category.
The young L.A. based singer/songwriter's got music in her genes. Her grandfather was the late David Rose, famed Emmy winning composer for television shows such as Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. Samantha's parents exposed her to varying genres of music: Pop, Brazilian, jazz, classic rock, etc. At 13, she was introduced to and absorbed the underground club scene. All of these influences make up her signature sound that the singer herself tags "Electronic Soul". Every track has an electronic/dance base, but it stretches itself by including elements of chill-out/lounge, jazz, Latin music, retro pop, and acoustic soul.
Vocally, Samantha's reminiscent of neo-soul singer Amel Larrieux or a lighter toned Sade and Everything But the Girl's Tracey Thorn. She's not a belter; her vocals are vibratoless and melisma-free. They're soothing and crystal clear, but extremely captivating as they waft over every song like a light mist. She conveys a message of hope and positivity through her music and lyrics that would come across as trite or uninspired in certain hands are powerful and heartfelt thanks to Samantha's delivery.
Phenomenally talented producer/remixer Sebastian Arocha Morton aka Rocasound, who's worked with stars such as Sting, Santana, and Mary J. Blige, helped co-write and produce each of the songs featured on Samantha's 2007 debut Rise.
The title track, with its dreamy West Coast-styled production and feel-good vibe, sparked alot of buzz for the singer when it was released in early 2006. Inspired by Samantha's mother (who passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer when James was 13), the song is an encouragement to let go of everything that holds you down in order to flourish. "People rise together/When they believe in tomorrow/Change the day to forever/This life keeps movin'." The message is warm and comforting and truly makes you feel like everything will be alright. Enchanted Life, an uninhibited request for a potential love interest to take the plunge and see if they're meant to be, coasts smoothly on an ethereal, Middle Eastern-tinged melody accented by light handclaps.
The influence of vintage Madonna is undeniable on the next two songs. Breathe You In imploys a slick, pulsating club groove and sultry, almost robotic, vocals purring "If you wanna be the reason/I can be the answer/We can stand together, baby/Walk the world forever ... I wanna feel you/I wanna taste the world we've found/I wanna feel you/I wanna breathe you in right now." Angel Love takes on a more innocent approach with its bubbly chords and sunny, sing-a-long chorus. Lyrics like "I just can't believe that you've been sent to me from above/and I can't wait to feel your sun shine down on me from above/You're my angel love" are given a starry-eyed expression that's neither gooey nor cringe-worthingly immature. I love it!
Come Through is a magical downtempo ballad that sounds as if it's suspended in mid-air. Seriously channeling Tracey Thorn, Samantha assures a former lover that she'll welcome him back with open arms if he ever chooses to come back. She delivers lines like "Your silence tells me all I need to know/And in the dark of night I see your glow/Your magic moves me when I need to grow/Walking me into a peaceful flow/Now the golden light I see surrounding me/Nourish the barrows when you came to me" like poetry. It's really something.
With a mysterious backdrop highlighted by electric synths and distant echoes, Living Without You desperately searches for a man Samantha let slip out of her life. "Always felt something was missin'/I was calling out your name/Hoping one day I would find you/Cuz I was blinded by the pain ... Let me see your light/Let it shine so I may find you/Let me see your light/Let it shine so I may find you/I don't feel like I've been living without you." This was the first song I'd heard from the album and immediately got me hooked. I can put it on repeat without getting sick of it. The intimate, bossa nova-inspired I Found You showcases another excellent vocal performance with a lovely appearance from Brazilian singer Celso Fonseca. The two have great chemistry as they croon "Now that I found you/Let the truth remind you ... Only love surrounds you" to each other.
Deep Surprise features an icy, stripped down atmosphere that recalls Sade's I Never Thought I'd See the Day and Janet Jackson's more tasteful baby makin' jams. "Sugah, I wanna taste the way you feel inside/All through the night/Forget about the time just close your eyes/Sugah, I'll wait/Though my heart, it breaks, baby/Oh, let me be the one to come alone/Let me just be such a deep surprise." This cut passes with flying colors because it's sexy without even trying (take notes, Ms. Jackson). Taking a break from romance, Send It Out to the Universe is another inspirational track that'll throw your troubles to the wind, make you grab a hairbrush, and rock out. "You've been holding on for too long/Letting life pass you by/Give it up, surrender ... Send it out to the universe/Whatever's meant to be, will be!"
The liquid bass and light, peaceful keyboards of Rain sound like a long lost B-side from Sade's Love Deluxe record. The romantic lyrics and Samantha's lullaby soft delivery make this one such an aural delight. "When it's hard to find your way home/just keep this in mind/If you live inside the moment/you'll know love's alive ... As the rain falls I listen/to the rhythm of your heart/Though we may never be together again/I know we'll never, know we'll never be apart." The delicious closer Right Now keeps Samantha to the background while giving Rocasound's hypnotic trip-hop beats the spotlight. Make sure you're with that special someone while you're listening to this one. *wink*
Rise is definitely a winner and a sign that Miss Samantha James is a talented woman with many more tricks up her sleeve. She and Rocasound, while not exactly the next Everything But the Girl, prove a powerful team. The only complaint I have (and a minor one at that) is that a few songs like I Found You can get a bit repetitive towards the end. Other than that, I fully recommend you slip this disc into your player, kick back, and travel to a faraway land where imagination rules.
An extremely talented vocalist, heartfelt music and incredible, high production values. I love this cd from beginning to end. The influences I can hear are: Astrid Gilberto, Madonna, Grover Washington, Jr., Portishead, Enya ~ quite a diverse group. Highly recommended!
