album that trod the median between old-school soul and contemporary electronic R&B. Badu's songs, especially the hit "On & On" and the catchy "Certainly", recall Sade in their polished, subtle sexiness. Badu almost never raises her voice--save the occasional "ooh-wee!" exultation--but she skilfully uses repetition and chanting to empower her words. Later portraying a beautiful swamp queen, she was one of the only good things about the movie Blues Brothers 2000. --Steve Knopper
Baduizm - Erykah Badu
Badu and her large turban appeared out of nowhere in early 1997, on a murmuring, romantic
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album that trod the median between old-school soul and contemporary electronic R&B. Badu's songs, especially the hit "On & On" and the catchy "Certainly", recall Sade in their polished, subtle sexiness. Badu almost never raises her voice--save the occasional "ooh-wee!" exultation--but she skilfully uses repetition and chanting to empower her words. Later portraying a beautiful swamp queen, she was one of the only good things about the movie Blues Brothers 2000. --Steve Knopper
Live - Erykah Badu
There is always cause for concern when a promising new artist follows up a solid debut
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with a live album rehashing all the same material. After seeing Erykah Badu steal the "Smokin Grooves Tour" in the summer of 1996, however, it only makes sense that her record company decided to release Live as a stopgap between her next studio recording. To put it mildly, the Badu live experience is anything but typical. There is a kindred bond between the singer and her audiences which translates wonderfully onto the disc. It's in the warmth of the songs, the intimacy with which Badu addresses the crowd, and the constant chants of "Erykah!" emanating from the masses. For her part, Badu does a wonderful job revisiting the material from her superb debut Baduizm. She also takes on an assortment of covers, ranging from Roy Ayers's "Searching" to the Mary Jane Girls' "All Night Long", making each one sound distinctly her own. The most captivating moment, though, is a new number called "Tyrone", in which she most eloquently tells a dense boyfriend to take a hike. --Aidin Vaziri
marvel of jazz smooth sensuality and misguided genius. Without question, Badu was--and clearly still is--an original; her 1997 debut album Baduizm, a rich and unexpected fusion of soul, jazz and rootsy hip-hop, paved the way for Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, India Arie, Macy Gray and Alicia Keys. However, as with her last album, Mama's Gun, it's her pioneering spirit that's actually Worldwide Underground's stumbling block. The gorgeous "I Want You" is a prime example. Starting off with the simple trick of chanted notes which mutate into a fantastically sexy groove, it's the album's woozy highlight until, inexplicably, it breaks into bizarre snarling synth riffs and jazz-fusion noodling. On the one hand it's a stroke of stripped-back brilliance; on the other it's a fragmented mess. Elsewhere the barrage of influences, ideas and production add-ons, while ensuring that things are never dull, make for confused and chaotic listening. Yet with "Bump It Up" and "Danger"'s hypnotic melodies, "Woo"'s head nodding sway and a raft of smooching soul tunes like "Think Twice" and Back in the Day (Puff)" to get lost in, she still manages to mesmerise, even when she's trying way too hard. --Dan Gennoe
Mama's Gun - Erykah Badu
Dallas native Erykah Badu was responsible for the project that pretty much defined
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out-there, Afro-spiritual R&B. Her debut album, Baduizm, paved the way for neo-soul talents like Lauryn Hill and Jill Scott, and was hailed deservedly as the "most innovative and exciting soul debut since D'Angelo's Brown Sugar". With Mama's Gun, Badu takes another giant step into the left-field with less delirious results. Aided by D'Angelo's backing band, the SoulAquarians (Jay Dee, Ahmir "Quest-Love" Thompson and James Poyser), the relationship angst of first track, "Penitentiary Philosophy" is accompanied by truly turgid hard rock. Thankfully, the rest of the album doesn't harbour ambitions to "rock-out" in an Alanis Morrissette style. The guests include Bilal (Common), Roy Ayers, trumpeter Roy Hargrove, Betty Wright and Steven Marley but this is Badu's show. Sonically speaking, Mama's Gun's best tracks--"Cleva", the staccato funk of "Booty", the gorgeous, "A.D.2000", "Orange Moon" and epic closer "Green Eyes" (where she really does sound like Billie Holliday")--are once again a cool hybrid of jazz, blues, soul and hip-hop. Mama's Gun is definitely less immediate than its predecessor and perhaps requires repeated listening to appreciate. However it is hard to escape the feeling that this is Badu by numbers, a well-crafted, though ultimately dull facsimile that aims to capitalise on ground first broken by a focused and fascinating original. --Reuben Dessay
Erykah Badu: Canvas Print
A great way to pay homage to your favourite cultural icons these prints capture the
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essence of some of the most talented stars to shine on the silver screen or light up the world of music! Fantastic quality and highly collectible Canvas Prints make a beautiful addition to any modern home. Printed on canvas and mounted over a deep pine frame (20mm in depth) these crystal clear images create a stunning visual impact in any environment. From unforgettable movie scenes and classic performances - to moments of joy triumph and terror - our range has something for everyone. Give your walls some character with the iconography that has helped shape popular culture and inspired generations. Not just a decoration; more than just a tribute - these quality prints capture moments of entertainment history.
...There has to be something strange about a woman who could silence the entire crowd at the V98 festival, which is exactly what ErykahBadu did. And the woman is, indeed, strange. As mad as a hatter, in fact, which makes for a glorious album. From her debut single, On And On (containing the immortal line ‘My cipher keeps moving like a rolling stone’) to other tracks such as Next Lifetime, ErykahBadu fuses soul, R’n’B and jazz to great effect. The vocal delivery may be a touch didactic (Badu has been known to literally wag her finger at the crowd during live performances) but Baduizm is one of the more innovative and refreshing albums I’ve heard, and it deserves a wide audience....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
...I bought this album after hearing the amazing single, ‘On and on.’ This song is truly stunning and ErykahBadu has a fabulous voice that makes even the weaker tracks like’ Apple tree’, listenable. Apart from ‘On and On,’ for me, the highlight of this album was the song ‘Next Lifetime’ which was also a single. The lyrics of the songs are incredible and the songs are a joy to listen to. This is one of my favourite albums and I would strongly recommend it to anybody who appreciates good songwriting and singing. Well worth buying....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Wonderful blend of R'n'B and Jazz Disadvantages: Strange look
...Miss Badu created this album to show us her true talents, although she has done this in a strange way she has done well. This album brings together some of the best beats from Africa and blends them with the beautiful lyrics from around the world. From her first song she’s shown us that there is an easy way to blend R’n’B and Jazz. She has done this with ease, although she looks and acts a little strange she has done very well. It isn’t brilliant but it is different....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
somewhat helpful 24.03.2001
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