atlantamatt33 said:

whitesockedfunk said:

Yes, I also like what I've heard so far! Although I must say that I absolutely loved the E-Family album also, so I'm glad she is still able to produce great albums

Agreed! "Now and Forever" is a great cd. There are so many standouts on ICON. Each song on the new cd is very autobiographical in nature, which will compliment her new book. I'm pretty psyched!

Yep an autobiography.

me not like. will not be buying this one.

sounds good from the samples!

It feels like a lot of her post 'Paisley Park' music

.

It feels ordinary, wish she would have taken a Q from FDeluxe, and taken that part of her legacy and bring it into 2013

A pity we don't get the "full" version of Leader of the Band...

Amazon.de says 4:39, while the EP-version clocks 6:18... )-:

SoulAlive said:

"Nasty Thang" is funky as hell wow!

Seems to be the best song...don't care for the rest!

Artwork: http://goo.gl/0mPDx0 (PDF)

[Edited 10/27/13 15:43pm]

Sound: http://www.bol.com/nl/p/i...tracklists

She's on café Corsari tonight (Belgian TV)

Touring with Larry G???

well,it's November.....where can I find the album? Has it been released yet??

It's out in Europe only, because "we appreciate better music" (her words, not mine...)

Should be out in the US next year. The vinyl version contains 3 bonus tracks, including Waters Of Life.

I really like the album a lot!

she really said that?? Wow

When you get a chance,give us a review of the album.How does it stack up to the other albums? What are the highlights? Any potential singles?

I'm gonna buy the album but, like SoulAlive, I'd appreciate some reviews by those who have already heard it.

-----

Regarding the "European" issue, I think the first country in which Icon has been released is France. Therefore, it seems that Sheila, like Prince himself, is very fond of the Hexagon.

[Edited 11/14/13 5:29am]

OK here it goes... the album opener "Butterfly" is a short percussion jam in which Sheila plays congas. The first song on the album, Mona Lisa, was also featured on the From E 2 U EP that was available at two Sheila E shows only in 2010. Fortunately this version gets rid of the autotune on the original. It's a fun latin-style song with a lot of Sheila's trademark timbales.

The next three songs on the album, "Lovely Day", "I'll Give You That" and "Rockstar" are basic pop/rock songs that are catchy but don't stand out. There's another interlude after this called "Samba" which is basically just that, a samba percussion jam. Up next is "Nasty Thang" the funkiest track on the album featuring a rap by Mc Lyte. The groove is fonky and the song worked very well live.

"Leader Of The Band" was also featured on From E 2 U and features Prince on backing vocals as well as her dad and two brothers on percussion. It was originally intended for the E Family album, but didn't make the final cut. The version on Icon is shorter than the one on the EP. The song is similar to "Droppin' Like Flies" and is my favourite on the album.

"Turn It Around" is a short gospel interlude. "Girl Like Me" features Ledisi and the lyrics are about a girl who has suffered from child abuse. A powerful song with a great groove and great horn fills. "Who I Am Now" has an unplugged feel and is a very nice ballad with a catchy chorus.

"Old Skool" is a fun latin-big band tinged song that talks about how everything was live back in the day and not autotuned or lip-synched. It features Eddie M on sax. The final track is another Interlude which has Sheila singing a rhyme with her mom.

The feel of the album is very much like the 2011 E Family album which I happen to love. It's not a return to the sound of her first three solo albums, but more like "what she is now" to quote one of the songs. The album is only 42 minutes long so it's oer before you know it, but I prefer that to many of today's overlong albums where you lose interest halfway in. Maybe it's a bit too poppy in places, but the other tracks more than make up for it.

The vinyl version is a 2LP set and contains three tracks not on the CD and completely different artwork which is prefer to that of the cd. My copy of the LP is on its way to me as we speak so I can't review the three tracks on there (Waters Of Life, Fiesta and Surrender).

By the way, if you don't live in Europe you can change your country preference on iTunes by clicking on the flag symbol and choose any European iTunes store to listen to 90-second samples of all the tracks.

[Edited 11/14/13 11:00am]

[Edited 11/14/13 11:01am]

whitesockedfunk said:

It's out in Europe only, because "we appreciate better music" (her words, not mine...)

Should be out in the US next year. The vinyl version contains 3 bonus tracks, including Waters Of Life.

I really like the album a lot!

I heard the songs, and I don't think being in Europe is going to make it a better album.

It doesn't excite me much

whitesockedfunk said:

OK here it goes... the album opener "Butterfly" is a short percussion jam in which Sheila plays congas. The first song on the album, Mona Lisa, was also featured on the From E 2 U EP that was available at two Sheila E shows only in 2010. Fortunately this version gets rid of the autotune on the original. It's a fun latin-style song with a lot of Sheila's trademark timbales.

The next three songs on the album, "Lovely Day", "I'll Give You That" and "Rockstar" are basic pop/rock songs that are catchy but don't stand out. There's another interlude after this called "Samba" which is basically just that, a samba percussion jam. Up next is "Nasty Thang" the funkiest track on the album featuring a rap by Mc Lyte. The groove is fonky and the song worked very well live.

"Leader Of The Band" was also featured on From E 2 U and features Prince on backing vocals as well as her dad and two brothers on percussion. It was originally intended for the E Family album, but didn't make the final cut. The version on Icon is shorter than the one on the EP. The song is similar to "Droppin' Like Flies" and is my favourite on the album.

"Turn It Around" is a short gospel interlude. "Girl Like Me" features Ledisi and the lyrics are about a girl who has suffered from child abuse. A powerful song with a great groove and great horn fills. "Who I Am Now" has an unplugged feel and is a very nice ballad with a catchy chorus.

"Old Skool" is a fun latin-big band tinged song that talks about how everything was live back in the day and not autotuned or lip-synched. It features Eddie M on sax. The final track is another Interlude which has Sheila singing a rhyme with her mom.

The feel of the album is very much like the 2011 E Family album which I happen to love. It's not a return to the sound of her first three solo albums, but more like "what she is now" to quote one of the songs. The album is only 42 minutes long so it's oer before you know it, but I prefer that to many of today's overlong albums where you lose interest halfway in. Maybe it's a bit too poppy in places, but the other tracks more than make up for it.

The vinyl version is a 2LP set and contains three tracks not on the CD and completely different artwork which is prefer to that of the cd. My copy of the LP is on its way to me as we speak so I can't review the three tracks on there (Waters Of Life, Fiesta and Surrender).

By the way, if you don't live in Europe you can change your country preference on iTunes by clicking on the flag symbol and choose any European iTunes store to listen to 90-second samples of all the tracks.

[Edited 11/14/13 11:00am]

[Edited 11/14/13 11:01am]

Cool, thanks a lot! And one more question. I confess I haven't listened to Sheila's post-Sex Cymbal albums, but I've read they are quite jazzy. You don't talk of a jazz feel on the new album. So I guess I don't know what's the place of Icon on her discography. It's neither Prince-like nor jazzy like her last efforts?

Thanks for that review!

I listened to it on spotify and it was really disappointing. Biased or not I only like "Leader of the Band." It's great that she's making new music, but lyrics are very important to me. In that regard it would be better as all instrumental because the lyrics are very simple.

ea1313 said:

I listened to it on spotify and it was really disappointing. Biased or not I only like "Leader of the Band." It's great that she's making new music, but lyrics are very important to me. In that regard it would be better as all instrumental because the lyrics are very simple.

Thanks for the review whitesockedfunk but I gotta agree with this^. Would love a Sheila album of latin-funk instrumentals ala "Shortberry Strawcake," "Soul Salsa" and "Merci for the Speed."

Sheila E. performing her new song "Nasty Thang" at a recent concert!

There doesn't seem to have been much promo done for this album other than of course avid Prince and Sheila fans..

Seems to be next to know promo youtubes or soundclouds from the label.

What I've heard sounds great though and I'm looking forward to hearing some of this live in London this week Re: "SHEILA E live @ Under The Bridge, Chelsea, London UK Sat Nov 23rd Facebook Event Info@ https://www.facebook.com/events/1432474400306993/ … Tickets@ https://agmp.ticketabc.com/events/sheilae/ "

Hopefully,when the new album is released in America,she will do alot more promo and tourdates...maybe some TV appearances too.

Sheila E. performing "Mona Lisa", the first single from her new album

SoulAlive said:

Sheila E. performing "Mona Lisa", the first single from her new album

that was awesome

SONNYT said:

Why does she look like Janelle Monae on that cover?? Lol....I'm going to see her play London in November at the 'Under The Bridge' venue. Can't wait!

It's the way Sheila had her hair did but it's slightly different than the way Janelle does.

I kinda dig it.. It's make u feel better kinda music

top 4 so far : ROckstar, Girl You like me, Nasty Thangs & Leader of da band

[Edited 11/21/13 5:29am]

This album is a huge ball of meh. Ripped it, listened through once, will likely never hear it again. Soz Shiels.

.

I prefer the latin jazz stuff to everything else (all the lame-O pop-R&B beatz). The best track musically is Mona Lisa which is much better than the "From E 2 U" version, those lyrics are just horrible though. Reminds me of Prince's awkward phrasing on many tracks from recent years. Just squeeze any old words in, don't bother trying to find witty, lyrical succinct phrasing, just blahhhh it out.

.

.

.

[Edited 11/21/13 6:29am]