Brandy, "Afrodisiac"

The whole album is banged out from start to finish. It really brings back R&B. I almost forgot about it until this record came out. It really brings that mainstream R&B back to the forefront -- and that's surprisingly rare nowadays.

This time out, Brandy ditches her two-album compatriot Rodney Jerkins and employs help from Timbaland (who produces a wealth of the material here.) In these Aaliyah-less times, Timbaland finds a worthy muse in Brandy's raspy soprano and her "straight-up" L.A. vocal stylings.

Afrodisiac is all about memory. It's what drives the record and steers it from song to song. Each track evokes a certain feeling when spun. "Come As You Are" reminds one of the heavy drum machine funk of the late '90s. The West Coast lean of "Say You Will" rekindles memories of low riders and Sunday cruising.

The dance jams on here are the title tune created by Timbaland and Scott Storch. The contemporary soul vibe of Kanye's "Talk About Out Love" and the percolating floor-filler "Sadiddy," where she disses those who don't know the real about her personal life.

The slow songs are worthy of notable mention. "Necessary," the only Ray-J collaboration on the record is hot with its slinky guitar groove. "How I Feel" sounds like it came right out of Anita Baker's compositions. It's a sparkling tune that's surprisingly penned by 4-Non-Blonder turned über-songwriter Linda Perry. "Should I Go" has Brandy reflective and sampling Coldplay's "Clocks." The song is haunting and the hook leaves you breathless. Aaliyah's memory burns on in the song. Lots of possible singles for this album.

Consistency is a virtue for Afrodisiac and that's rare for mainstream R&B records nowadays. People may be comparing her to Beyoncé as of late, but the Bey-ster has nothing on the B-Rocka album wise. Where Dangerously In Love falls treacherously flat, Afrodisiac rises as a listenable, refreshing statement that R&B is going nowhere and with young starlets like Brandy still in the game, we should be in comforting hands for years to come. One of the best albums of the year.

no way are you going to get me to believe that review.


It reeks of those reviews that call movies, "The Blockbuster Hit Of The Summer!!!!"

mochalox said:

It shouldn't!

It's a good album, but nowhere near "bringing back real R&B." A start would be the use of real, live instruments.

okaypimpn said:

Beyonce has new record out?

mochalox said:

LOL!

When I believe in a record I become like a car salesman. I do.

But yeah, it's a good album... but you don't have to take my word for it ::Reading Rainbow tune::

okaypimpn said:

I don't buy the whole "real instruments constitutes real music" argument. R&B doesn't have to be stripped down and completely live to be deemed authentic and plausible. It can be electronic, filled with loops and synths and still articulate the same amount of soul and realness to me. It's been done countless times. I actually like the sound of electronic instruments. It doesn't take away from the music.

And yes, in my opinion, Afrodisiac is bringing back contemporary R&B.

JANFAN4L said:

that was too funny!!!!

Bringing back modern r'n'b is a good thing? R'n'b has been stale for years now and that whole mellow mid tempo sound snores me to sleep-not to dance! That kind of music has been stale 4 donkeys years now and needs to stay away (like most of it has been! At least "Crazy in love" sounded like a breath of fresh air at the time.....her new tune sounds a couple of years old.....need more fresh air from somewhere!


Brandy annoys me anyway with her "independEnt" black woman style stance she always uses.....u know like the "Men r dogs" type look or "Talk to the hand2 type thing.....thats all she can bloody do!

thesexofit said:

Yeah, Brandy's last album fell victim to the "my man did me wrong" syndrome and it wasn't memorable, but this record is different. I purchased this record, so that says something. You know how rare that is in these rip-a-CD days. The last record I bought from Brandy was Never Say Never back when I was in high school. Actually, Brandy is much deeper than songs simply about anguish. She's reflective this time out. Yes, the topics are still primarily about love, but you get the dance jams and some noteworthy grooves.

I'll say it like this, you either appreciate contemporary R&B (post-1992) or you don't. I grew up with contemporary R&B, so this record sounds so good to me. Brings back memories of my adolescence and all those early 90s records I used to hear on the radio like SWV's It's About Time, Brownstone, Jade, MoKenStef, Aaliyah's Age Ain't Nothing But A Number, etc. (Yes, I'm that young!) I'm young, I'm part of a different generation of music listeners that grew up to sounds like these.

I recommend the album.
[This message was edited Mon Jul 12 14:17:56 2004 by JANFAN4L]

Timbaland is nuts! Love his sounds on here. Right now I'm really feeling the album from track 7 "Focus" onward (the last 9 tracks). There are some joints near the beginning but the order of the songs mess my vibe up a bit.

Brandy's voice is so warm

I too skipped on Brandy's last record, but this one is good.

My sentiments about `90s R&B are similar to yours, JANFAN.

Give me some 90's music..

CinisterCee said:

Brandy's voice has always grabbed me. It's distinguishable. Timbaland went to work on the beats this time out. It's like he saves them up for certain artists and just lets loose. When I was listening to the album, I thought about Timbo's production on Timberfake's Justified and I said to myself, "man, Justin got shortchanged." Tim kept it hot with Afrodisiac.

Yeah, the back of the album is bangin'. I keep rewinding it from tracks 6 to 15.

Right now my jam is "Come As You Are." I went to sleep last night to "How I Feel" -- that song reminds me of Anita Baker's Rapture LP. I love it.

JANFAN4L said:

Precisely!

CinisterCee said:

Isn't he just killing it with the flute on "Come As You Are"? Damn, Tim! That drum loop is crazy.

JANFAN4L said:

Just wondering...how old R U? Brandy's cool, but most 30 and over music fans won't go too crazy over her. She has some some cool listenable singles, but that's about it. sorry...

JANFAN4L said:

And that's your opinion.

Brandy bore me to death, that was a well crafted review JANFAN4L but personaly I'm tired that people are relying more & more on the PAST and not trying to make a fresh new sound and just move on already.

Speaking of Tim, he was in his PRIME when he made Baby Girl's "Age Ain't Nothing But A Number", Ginuwine's "The Bachlor" & Playa's debut album(the title passed me).

He was SSSSICK with his beats, got all the hip-hop community biting him.

goat2004 said:

make that 25 and over...

Harlepolis said:

I'd take Timbo over the Neptunes any day. Hell, even Kanye West.

JANFAN4L said:

Me too!

Harlepolis said:

Not I.

okaypimpn said:

do I have to take any of those three choices???
It's killin' me over here!!!!


and I find her ablum's title to be a bit of an oxymoron.
[This message was edited Tue Jul 13 9:09:45 2004 by mochalox]

okaypimpn said:

Why not? The brotha is innovator IMHO!

Harlepolis said:

He used to be, but now all of his stuff is starting to sound alike (but so are The Neptunes). Every now and then, Tim will come with something really hot, but as of late, he's becoming more and more stale. I personally prefer The Neptunes because at least Chad plays some instruments other than a beat machine.

Plus the fact, The Neptunes beat harder than Tim (although I think that has to do with whoever mixes their stuff).

mochalox said:[quote]

okaypimpn said:

Explain.

::jammin' in the hallway::

you ful-fill my every desire
when i'm with you
you take me higher
you're my my afrodisiac
you're the only one i'm needin'
when i go. i'll come back
'cause there ain't no way i'm leavin'

::grindin::

HOT!

JANFAN4L said:[quote]

mochalox said:

Sure thing. Mispelling a word ("Afrodisiac," in this case) is only cool when it's relevant.

Constant= By definition an oxymoron is a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.

Fact= Brandy's scalp is full o'yak.

Conclusion= Proper spelling (aphrodisiac) should be used to avoid the resulting oxymoron and to discontinue further embarrasment to those who actually like her and know better.

mochalox said:

Mocha lol you're a trip & a 1/2

Harlepolis said:

my Mom calls it: Too much free time.

mochalox said:

That's my girl!!!