Disco de Sonique: “Hear My Cry”

Descripción (en inglés) :

Personnel includes: Sonique, Mr. Buddha, Calvin Richardson (vocals); Brian Transeau (guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, bass); Chris Cox, Barry Harris (keyboards, programming); Rick Nowels, Gregg Kurstin (keyboards); Davie Dave (scratches); Wayne Rodriguez (programming). Producers: Sonique, Rick Nowels, Robin Barter, B.T., Gerald Isaac. Engineers include: Chris Allen, Edwin "Scizza Hands" Ramos, Graeme Pleeth. CD contains 2 bonus tracks. In the inner flap of her debut LP, HEAR MY CRY, the imposing-looking Sonique strikes a ferocious pose. She also refers to herself with the oft-overused tag "diva" in the acknowledgments. This posturing could conjure up musical visions ranging anywhere from Mariah to Me'Shell N'Degeo'Cello. In reality, Sonique's music has more in common with sounds pumping from mid-'80s nightclubs of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood variety, while her voice is most reminiscent of that of Jimi Somerville of Bronski Beat fame. The tinge of cold impersonality in the music is more than made up for by catchy grooves and Sonique's impassioned vocals. The opening track, "It Feels So Good," is marked by the type of hook that bears cross-genre appeal. While a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' signature "I Put a Spell on You" could seem horrific in this forum, she rekindles the song's inherent sinister sensuality and lays it upon some sweet-spiraling electronic hypnotics. Even the familiar anthemic feel of "Are You Ready" and the straight-R&B battle of the sexes of "Drama" are imbued with her special spark, one that elevates them to a level far above that of standard fare.

Even stubborn radio programmers, who usually say NO to dance music, could not resist this sweet sensation! I remember this singer from a group back in the early 90s called S'Express. I loved that album and I am glad that Sonique was able to get a recording contract with Republic/Universal, because she has such a different, interesting voice. And speaking of Republic, you gotta give them props for introducing all of these new dance acts to the U.S., like Sonique, Alice Deejay and Tina Cousins!

"Hear My Cry" is a masterful blend of mostly dance beats with a couple R&B pleasures thrown in for good measure. Lead single "It Feels So Good" is cutting-edge dance music with its electronic syncopated rhythms, not just your average house beat. "Move Closer" and "Can't Get Enough" are slammin' house songs!

A surprise on the album is "Drama" which actually might make it onto R&B radio airwaves. Its a nice R&B ballad duet with an unknown male singer. Very impressive and it shows Sonique's versatility.

I would say the main attraction on this CD is Sonique's unique voice which can at times be very captivating. I hope to hear more from her in the future. Also, this CD can be played at home as well as in the clubs. Thoroughly satisfying.

For those of you who love Club Music, It Feels SO Good is the only thing worth buying. A few of the other songs are decent. However, I bought this for It Feels So Good (lack of access to the remixes) and it is guaranteed to make your body move, even in its album version! So don't expect much and you get a bonus!

I am a die hard Sonique fan, I think shes cool. "It feels so good" is one of my favorite songs, even after it has been played out by my local radio stations. I bought this cd because I thought it would be much like "It feels so good." Well, it wasn't. I have a hard time rating this cd, because it is good, but not what I thought it was going to be so I am dissappointed. Go to a record store and listen to this CD before you buy it. Sonique is a much more diverse artist than I thought and it shows on this albulm. Best of Luck Sonique

This one *is* difficult to rate. I was attracted to Sonique after hearing It Feels So Good (loved that song the first time I heard it), and would have preferred more songs like that one. However, the rest of the CD explores many other territories, as mentioned by other reviewers. There is an underlying electronica theme prevailing throughout, but under the guise of many different flavors. I'm finding the CD enjoyable anyway, and particularly like I Put A Spell On You, Love Is On Our Side, and Sky. Give this one a few listens before making up your mind - the difference of the song styles requires a chance to grow on you.