Ultimate Aaliyah (+DVD) - Aaliyah

Ultimate Aaliyah is the final production from Aaliyah Dana Haughton, who was lost tragically on Saturday, August 25th, 2001.

As she was and still is my favourite artist of all time, im most probably biased in writing this review, but I shall try & put all views across as best i can.

Aaliyah was undoubtably a huge talent & im sure she was destined to go far, I believe that she could & would have been one of the biggest ...
...the likes of Madonna, 50 Cent or Britney Spears. She was taken from us at the young age of just 22, she had already had amazing success in that short time, she had released two studio albums, stared in two box office movies, 'Romeo Must Die' & 'Queen Of The Damned', she had also been cast to play a significant role in 'The Matrix Reloaded'. Aaliyah was the niece of soul legend Gladys Knight, she certainly picked up some of her talent. The Name Aaliyah ... more

Ultimate Aaliyah is the final production from Aaliyah Dana Haughton, who was lost tragically on Saturday, August 25th, 2001.

As she was and still is my favourite artist of all time, im most probably biased in writing this review, but I shall try & put all views across as best i can.

Aaliyah was undoubtably a huge talent & im sure she was destined to go far, I believe that she could & would have been one of the biggest & most reconisable stars on the planet, on par with the likes of Madonna, 50 Cent or Britney Spears. She was taken from us at the young age of just 22, she had already had amazing success in that short time, she had released two studio albums, stared in two box office movies, 'Romeo Must Die' & 'Queen Of The Damned', she had also been cast to play a significant role in 'The Matrix Reloaded'. Aaliyah was the niece of soul legend Gladys Knight, she certainly picked up some of her talent. The Name Aaliyah Simply means; 'The Best', which some believe she was.

Aaliyah was working on her third studio album when she died, 'Ultimate Aaliyah' serves as a greatest hits album, it is a pure R&B album, mixed in with Hip-Hop beats courtasy of legendary Hip-Hop artist; 'Missy Elliott' & 'Timbaland' who were both great friends of Aaliyah & feature heavily on her previous albums aswell as this one.

This album contains three discs; two CDs & one DVD.
The first CD contains Aaliyah's greatest hits. The second is her lesser known songs, plus tribute songs to her. The DVD has a sixty minute documentary, following her life, career & tributes from family, friend & famous admirers. Plus an early interview with Aaliyah herself.
Track List:

- 'One In A Million', simple lyrical track, title track of Aaliyah's second album, great introduction to Aaliyah's music, shows the lighter vocals of Aaliyah.

- 'If Your Girl Only Knew', more 'advaned' with a bigger beat & the usual Aaliyah touches.

- 'Hot Like Fire', Aaliyah's first real collaberation with both Missy Elliott & Timbaland, alot more attitude with this track, banging beat with guest vocal sample from Missy.

- 'The One I Gave My Heart To', deep, soulful tune, simple love song.

- 'Got To Give It Up', basic Aaliyah track, maybe one of the weaker links of the album, in my opinion.

- '4 Page Letter', unique Aaliyah tune, as it is a love song of a kind & yet it's very easy to know the words & get into.

- 'We Need A Resolution', very beat-based song, with heavy influence from Timbaland, absolutely addictive, in my opinion it's probably one of Aaliyah's best tunes, more attitude shows Aaliyah's style & character.

- 'Rock The Boat', probably one of Aaliyah's best known songs, as it was her last, Aaliyah died while flying back from the shoot for this video, light, chilled song, beautiful lyrics, soothing.

- 'More Than A Woman', Aaliyah's best known & one of her most successful UK songs, more 'pop' than some of her other songs, but still with that absolutely unique Aaliyah touch.

- 'I Care 4 U', real heartfelt love song, sublime lyrics, fantastically produced & sung like an Angel, favourite of many Aaliyah fans, one of my personal favourites.

- 'Back And Forth', Aaliyah's first single from her first album, 'age Ain't Nothing But A Number', not as well produced as some of her other records, but this was the song that grabbed peoples attention & showed the world her talent even at an early age.

- 'Are You That Somebody', proper good beat, well syncronised & timed, every lyric is in perfect timing, which is a real challenge with this very 'specific' beat.

- 'Don't Know What To Tell Ya', a summing up of Aaliyah's real talent, a perfect example of her unique type of R&B, Timbaland production with an amazing sound at the start of the record (I don't know what it is but I love it), my favourite record intro of all time.

- 'Miss You', definately my favourite Aaliyah track, probably my favourite song of all time, this is a sad, soulful song, ironic as Aaliyah is missed so dearly by so many people, fitting as she died so early. a song that makes me sad everytime I hear it.

- 'At Your Best', a cover of the early Isley brothers hit, this was a big success in the US but not the UK, not one of my personal favourites, but im not a great fan of covers. In my opinion, this is a weak link as the last song on her album, I think it should have been a song to remember Aaliyah.

CD two is entitled; 'Are You Feelin' Me', it contains less known Aaliyah songs, plus a tribute from legendary artist 'Wyclef Jean' of the Fugees, havn't included song list as these arn't Aaliyah's greatest hits, but i will say to look out for; 'Come Back In One Piece' featuring Hip-Hop star & grerat friend, DMX. This is one of her best most addictive songs & i wonder why it is on disc two instead of one.

This is a truly great record from a brilliant, kind, talented artist & a great person.

My only query with it is that it doesn't include one of her best songs; 'When Doves Cry' a cover of the original prince track, I believe this is because of a problem with royalties or licensing, but I do think it is a shame.

I would recommend this album to any Aaliyah fan or just an R&B fan, it is one of my favourite albums ever, & im just sad that this wonderful, talented woman died so young. ***** M@rk.

R.I.P Aaliyah - Always In Our Hearts.
 

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