It's also worth noting that Cindy is accompanied by a talented group of background, and lead vocalists in their own right, and they are, Rachael Choate, Paulette McWilliams, Brenda White-King, Audrey Wheeler, and Tammy Townsend.
Opening track, "Because Of You", was produced by an overlooked and talented duo of writers/producers/musicians, Greg Charley and John Winston. Some may best remember them as recording act "Kiara" that recorded two brilliant and underrated albums for Arista Records in 1988 and 1990 respectively. The rhythm track itself is mainly drum/percussion programmed and keyboard driven, but it's mid tempo and feel good melody complements Cindy's dynamic and rhythmically charged vocal delivery. But what I love the most about her singing on this particular track, is the emotion she put behind the lyrical content, and that content is one of a woman confessing her love and appreciation for her significant other. .... Songs of which NO LONGER EXIST exist in 2011, sadly :-(
The Brian McKnight produced, "I've Had Enough", {Refer to video above}, incorporates slightly more live instrumentation by way of the drums, electric bass guitar, and the classic warm sound of the Fender Rhodes. It's, once again, mid tempo flow of the programmed percussion, synthesizer fills, light guitar pluckings, along with Cindy's vocal acrobatics, as she sings from a gentle roar to a fervor pitch in the latter verses, has the makings of classic ballad that still stands the test of time 17 years later. Has it been that long ? Could've fooled me. This time though, the lyrical subject matter is that of a woman .... or man, it could go both ways now .... that has had enough of a relationship that is on it's last leg. Cindy sing those anguished lyrics so convincingly, you yourself will think back to a time when you had to break off such a relationship.
On this heart string pulled ballad, "Smile", features a duet with the late, and still missed, then label mate, Mr. Gerald Levert. Co-produced by Gerald with the gifted, yet underrated talent, Gerald's then musical partner, Edwin "Tony" Nicholas, we hear the full presence of the live drums, particularly the snare and kick drum, the "churchified" acoustic piano chords, synthesizer strings, and a beautiful soprano saxophone solo. Gerald and Cindy's vocal chemistry and blend, are nothing short of spectacular. Their vocals runs, fills, and improvised phrasings, whether performed individually or together should be considered, "Vocal Dueting 101", this is how it's done, CORRECTLY ! Neither Cindy or Gerald tried to out sing the other, if anything, it sounds as if they were in competition with themselves. Lyrics are in the same vein of the Gladys Knight/Stevie Wonder/Elton John song, "That's What Friends Are For".
Another stand out song on this fantastic piece of work is the multi-instrumentalist Reggie Griffin produced track,"Two Hearts". Reggie himself, is yet another, terribly underrated musician/songwriter/producer/artist that never received the recognition he deserved. He and Babyface were once members of a '70's funk band called "Manchild". Cindy's vocal performance here, as it's pretty much throughout the entire album, is sharp, on key, dead on, and executed with the soul, passion and fire of a true singer. Here she sings a song of a woman and man, "standing by each other through thick and thin, no matter what", accompanied with a celebratory, uptempo groove. A feel good song at it's finest.
On "Imagine", and not to be confused with the John Lennon classic, is produced by YET ANOTHER, songwriter/producer/arranger and composer that has not received his just due, the talented Lemel Humes. {Refer to some of the hits of Miki Howard's Atlantic Records tenure, and you'll hear Lemel's work} ..... This tune is probably one of the many songs that should have been released as a single ...... Beautiful ! ....... Simply Beautiful is how to best describe it. But rather than have me talk about it here, I'm going to do one better, and let you hear it for yourselves ;-) ..... {Refer to the video below}
The remaining songs, on what should have been a Grammy nominated album, "I Can't Let Go", "Over You", "Back To My Emotions","My Favorite Song", and "Love To Talk To Me", are just as equally enjoyable to listen to. If you already own this record, then what I'm saying are nothing but words to you. But if you do not own it, I STRONGLY recommend you seek it out. Though long out of print, you can still obtain a copy, it's out there somewhere .......... As a matter of fact, ol Ran Man's gonna hook you up ;-) ..... Here's an Amazon link where you can purchase a copy ....... Don't worry, you can do a DRAKE and "Thank Me Later", just go ahead and buy it. (Copy and paste the link into your web browser) : www.amazon.com/Cindy-Mizelle/dp/B000008NC9
........ and to Cindy, if you're reading this, I hope you can find some time out of your busy schedule to record another album, it's time. The natives are getting restless :-(
Musically Yours,
Ran Man
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