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Printablejacktheimprovident said: It seems as though the overall opinion is somewhat mixed, even though there are a lot of people around here who really like it. Wilson and Alroy, who I dislike in many ways but are stevie worshippers, really panned it (despite giving Conversation Peace 4 stars...well alroy gave it 3.5). I think it's really really good considering how disappointed I thought I was going to be. Really, his first release in 10 years with innumerable delays couldn't have been anything but a disappointment to some extent unless it actually was the next Innervisions, but i think this is as close to that as we could have reasonably expected to get.
OUCH! Wilson and Alroy really trashed this CD,huh? 
I wish Stevie had taken his time with this one instead of rushing it out after a mere ten years.As staunch a Wonder defender as I am,I really have to reach to find anything good to say about this record...."Sweetest Somebody I Know" is a pleasant,lilting love song recalling "Bird Of Beauty"; "Please Don't Hurt My Baby" is mild funk with the same role-reversing take on infidelity as "Ordinary Pain".Wait,those are the high points?! Holy steep decline,Batman!! There's one tepid,unmemorable ballad after another ("Tell Your Heart I Love You","From The Bottom Of My Heart").The message tunes are flat and obvious (title track,about a hundred minutes long; "Shelter In The Rain").The few uptempo numbers are drab and boring;leadoff single "So What The Fuss"-with EnVogue on backing vocals and Prince on guitar-is a ripoff of Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep".He's too lazy to even sing all the leads,bringing in such modestly talented duet partners as Kim Burrell ("If Your Love Cannot Be Moved") and daughter Aisha Morris (twice,including the mind-bogglingly trite "Positivity").The weakest effort from a visionary genuis I've heard in forever;makes me want to take back the cracks I made about the new McCartney  | |
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TonyWilliams said: Well, i just want to say that i`ve been enjoying the album ever since the day it was released on i-tunes. I don`t believe so much in comparing new work with old work from a certain artist. Everybody`s life is a journey, so is the artist`s life. People say : oh, i want the drums to be like they were in the old days. Well, it`s cool if you want that, but then that`s your journey, and obviously it`s your journey which goes back to where somebody else has been already. Of course, ain`t nothing wrong with that. To say that his singing isn`t good on the album, well - i want to make it clear - there`s not much room for discussion here i admit - it`s just so unfair. Who can put so much emotion and meaning in words and melodies like he can? The voice is still very rich and warm, and he`s also so playful with the melodies.
Basically it`s the same as with Prince. Both artist have been around for such a long time. Musician`s life, hard life. Music shizness. Don`t get me started. You can never please anybody - it`s impossible. But if you consider their music as your friend, you must travel with them through the time. Everything is changing all the time. What looks like a step backward might be a step forward to somebody else and vice versa. I don`t worry about how funky the album is. I bop my head to a slow song like "Moon blue" - no problem at all. Funk has many faces. Let`s just embrace our differences. I agree with everything you said,Tony  | |
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cant please everyone i
always say does anyone know what all the delays were about btw? | |
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shausler said: does anyone know what all the delays were about btw?
Stevie is a perfectionist and he didn't want to release it until he felt that it was time.What are your favorite tracks? | |
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that first track for sure
moon blue keeps flowin through my mind im slowly saverin the flavor | |
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musicman said: psykosoul said: Now that I've given it repeated listens from start to finish. Maybe I was a bit harsh on it. This cd is better than Conversation Peace. However, I still don't hear a whole lot of progression from the previous release. And after 10 years, that's not a good thing. Musically, Stevie still has "it". But something is missing that keeps me from raving on this cd like I do over Earth Wind and Fire's "Illumination" Are Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil still alive? Maybe their engineering skills and co-production are what's missing. Maybe Stevie needs to work with a producer who was influenced by his work from back in the day. I love Stevie and I'm happy to have this disc in my hands, but I don't understand "What the Fuss" is over this cd. The Jungle Fever soundtrack holds up better than this one.
I too like the Jungle Fever soiundtrack, especially "Make Sure You're Sure." The fuss is simply that we have it. It doesn't suck. You said not a "Whole lot of progression" which means some progression. This has been a bad year for music. Nothing memorable. Everything generic and trendy and dated. This album is Stevie. Not anybody else and not reflective of what other artists and music trends are doing. It has his signature. That's all. We are not looking for the second coming of the SITKOL messiah. | |
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DavidEye said: jacktheimprovident said: It seems as though the overall opinion is somewhat mixed, even though there are a lot of people around here who really like it. Wilson and Alroy, who I dislike in many ways but are stevie worshippers, really panned it (despite giving Conversation Peace 4 stars...well alroy gave it 3.5). I think it's really really good considering how disappointed I thought I was going to be. Really, his first release in 10 years with innumerable delays couldn't have been anything but a disappointment to some extent unless it actually was the next Innervisions, but i think this is as close to that as we could have reasonably expected to get.
OUCH! Wilson and Alroy really trashed this CD,huh?
I wish Stevie had taken his time with this one instead of rushing it out after a mere ten years.As staunch a Wonder defender as I am,I really have to reach to find anything good to say about this record...."Sweetest Somebody I Know" is a pleasant,lilting love song recalling "Bird Of Beauty"; "Please Don't Hurt My Baby" is mild funk with the same role-reversing take on infidelity as "Ordinary Pain".Wait,those are the high points?! Holy steep decline,Batman!! There's one tepid,unmemorable ballad after another ("Tell Your Heart I Love You","From The Bottom Of My Heart").The message tunes are flat and obvious (title track,about a hundred minutes long; "Shelter In The Rain").The few uptempo numbers are drab and boring;leadoff single "So What The Fuss"-with EnVogue on backing vocals and Prince on guitar-is a ripoff of Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep".He's too lazy to even sing all the leads,bringing in such modestly talented duet partners as Kim Burrell ("If Your Love Cannot Be Moved") and daughter Aisha Morris (twice,including the mind-bogglingly trite "Positivity").The weakest effort from a visionary genuis I've heard in forever;makes me want to take back the cracks I made about the new McCartney Honestly, sometimes I really really hate those guys, they can be so dismissive and pretentious and their reviews are so short, uninformative and clinical. My favorite reviewer capn marvel said it best in his review of uncle meat : "Of course I have to say more than THAT, or my name would have to be Wilson or Allroy, and my buttocks are MUCH too free of anal herpes warts to be either of them!" | |
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psykosoul said: Now that I've given it repeated listens from start to finish. Maybe I was a bit harsh on it. This cd is better than Conversation Peace. However, I still don't hear a whole lot of progression from the previous release. And after 10 years, that's not a good thing. Musically, Stevie still has "it". But something is missing that keeps me from raving on this cd like I do over Earth Wind and Fire's "Illumination" Are Robert Margouleff and Malcolm Cecil still alive? Maybe their engineering skills and co-production are what's missing. Maybe Stevie needs to work with a producer who was influenced by his work from back in the day. I love Stevie and I'm happy to have this disc in my hands, but I don't understand "What the Fuss" is over this cd. The Jungle Fever soundtrack holds up better than this one. Hello.   | |
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I've heard the first 6 songs off the CD and so far, I'm really digging it. For once, I'm listening to a CD with great quality. I'm digging "From The Bottom Of My Heart", If Your Love Cannot Be Moved", "Please Don't Hurt My Baby" and "How Will I Know" - the best so far. I can't wait to hear the rest. I'm not a fan of "old Prince". I'm not a fan of "new Prince". I'm just a fan of Prince. Simple as that | |
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This album is great! 
My Love Is On Fire Whats The Fuss Positivity A Time To Love and From The Bottom My Heart are my favorites!!!! Straight Jacket Funk Affair
Album plays and love for vinyl records. | |
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is the song he did at the end of his "bet walk of fame", "i can't imagine love without you" on this new album? man,just thinkin about that song like many of his songs brings a tear to my eye.'cause we got the call that my grandfather was dying as he played the intro to the song on the show..... [Edited 10/21/05 13:14pm] | |
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Moon Blue is aight to me, not great. | |
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diamondpearl1 said: is the song he did at the end of his "bet walk of fame", "i can't imagine love without you" on this new album? man,just thinkin about that song like many of his songs brings a tear to my eye.'cause we got the call that my grandfather was dying as he played the intro to the song on the show.....
[Edited 10/21/05 13:14pm] Yes. It is on there. Lovely piece of music. | |
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Aside from the slight over-production (I agree with critics of the drum sounds -- the electronic percussion often is too conspicuous), this album is tight. | |
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Well, I've listened to this whole album for the third time and the record itself is just absolutely impressive. A Time 2 Love is probably Stevie's best and most accomplished record probably since Hotter Than July or let's say, Jungle Fever soundtrack. From the first track, If Your Love Cannot Be Moved to the last track, which is the title track, you won't find a single dud here. The one thing that really disturbs me is that some of the tracks can use some minor editing, but other than that the album is flawless. The arrangements are warm and enchanting, the production holds up well, and the musicianship is richer than ever. What really does surprise me is that Stevie still cranks up the funk with songs like My Love Is On Fire, Please Don't Hurt My Baby, and So What The Fuss. My favorite track has to be I Can't Imagine Love Without You, which he did perform on his BET Walk Of Fame special with him playing the piano only, but I like the version he does on here. You won't find Stevie producing a hip-hop/rap joint on here, instead he improves his craft and chops and produces, arranges, writes, and composes one of the most sophisticated and acclaimed R&B releases this year, but whatever you do: DON'T CALL IT A COMEBACK! Check me out and add me on:
www.last.fm/user/brandosoul "Truth is, everybody is going to hurt you; you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for." -Bob Marley | |
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I mourn his loss. Everyone loves the SausagePlatter | |
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I'm now of the opinion that this is his best work since SITKOL.
Yeah, seriously. | |
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I have been a diehard Stevie fan since Fulfillingness First Finale was the first popular music album I ever got my hands on. It has been a very rewarding and frustrating, patience-challenging trip. To me, all of his albums have been spotty since Hotter Than July, however I believe A Time 2 Love to be his most consistent effort since that time. It is well sequenced, has some strong songs and I love the production elements. There is so much going on in most of it and there is still no one else in the world who sounds like Stevie or produces like Stevie. To me, it is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where intricately, expertly played and executed soul/funk/pop is practically nonexistent. For me, this fall has seen exceptional output from some great classic artists, including Earth, Wind and Fire, George Clinton, Rolling Stones and Stevie. Does Stevie sometimes get too schmaltzy? Sure, but the most of the album, in my opinion, is enjoyable and powerful enough to overlook it. I recommend listening to this album on headphones to appreciate all the labor and talent evident in this work. I also appreciate that the CD is long enough to have been a double album and that he stretches out in many of the tracks. I am a diehard funkaholic and love Stevie's more jam-oriented cuts, but critics who say this album is too mellow need to go back and review a lot of his previous records as he typically only had a handful of uptempo funk songs on any album surrounding by a variety of ballads, pop tunes and assorted other offerings ... just like A Time 2 Love! Welcome back, Stevie, and thank you for sharing your amazing gifts with us!
Peace, Scott If you've got funk, you've got style. | |
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HardcoreJollies said: Stevie, and thank you for sharing your amazing gifts with us!
Yeah, thanks you Stevie for delivering real Music. [Edited 10/22/05 8:47am] I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt. | |
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HardcoreJollies said: I have been a diehard Stevie fan since Fulfillingness First Finale was the first popular music album I ever got my hands on. It has been a very rewarding and frustrating, patience-challenging trip. To me, all of his albums have been spotty since Hotter Than July, however I believe A Time 2 Love to be his most consistent effort since that time. It is well sequenced, has some strong songs and I love the production elements. There is so much going on in most of it and there is still no one else in the world who sounds like Stevie or produces like Stevie. To me, it is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where intricately, expertly played and executed soul/funk/pop is practically nonexistent. For me, this fall has seen exceptional output from some great classic artists, including Earth, Wind and Fire, George Clinton, Rolling Stones and Stevie. Does Stevie sometimes get too schmaltzy? Sure, but the most of the album, in my opinion, is enjoyable and powerful enough to overlook it. I recommend listening to this album on headphones to appreciate all the labor and talent evident in this work. I also appreciate that the CD is long enough to have been a double album and that he stretches out in many of the tracks. I am a diehard funkaholic and love Stevie's more jam-oriented cuts, but critics who say this album is too mellow need to go back and review a lot of his previous records as he typically only had a handful of uptempo funk songs on any album surrounding by a variety of ballads, pop tunes and assorted other offerings ... just like A Time 2 Love! Welcome back, Stevie, and thank you for sharing your amazing gifts with us!
Peace, Scott Thank you my friend. Two things are apparent 1) You know good music. 2) You know Stevie's music. I was listening to Talking Book, and Innervisions, and Fulfillingnes First Finale: They were all mellow albums with a few funky and uptempo cuts. the only album of his that had small number of ballads or slow tunes was In Square Circle: Overjoyed, Stranger On the Shore of Love, and Overjoyed. | |
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Cloudbuster said: I'm now of the opinion that this is his best work since SITKOL.
Yeah, seriously. well, I'm not quite there yet but that CD had a great start in my ears and is growing every hour by the hour. give me a bit more time to make a verdict like yoursVanglorious... this is protected by the red, the black, and the green. With a key... sissy! | |
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HardcoreJollies said: I have been a diehard Stevie fan since Fulfillingness First Finale was the first popular music album I ever got my hands on. It has been a very rewarding and frustrating, patience-challenging trip. To me, all of his albums have been spotty since Hotter Than July, however I believe A Time 2 Love to be his most consistent effort since that time. It is well sequenced, has some strong songs and I love the production elements. There is so much going on in most of it and there is still no one else in the world who sounds like Stevie or produces like Stevie. To me, it is a welcome breath of fresh air in a world where intricately, expertly played and executed soul/funk/pop is practically nonexistent. For me, this fall has seen exceptional output from some great classic artists, including Earth, Wind and Fire, George Clinton, Rolling Stones and Stevie. Does Stevie sometimes get too schmaltzy? Sure, but the most of the album, in my opinion, is enjoyable and powerful enough to overlook it. I recommend listening to this album on headphones to appreciate all the labor and talent evident in this work. I also appreciate that the CD is long enough to have been a double album and that he stretches out in many of the tracks. I am a diehard funkaholic and love Stevie's more jam-oriented cuts, but critics who say this album is too mellow need to go back and review a lot of his previous records as he typically only had a handful of uptempo funk songs on any album surrounding by a variety of ballads, pop tunes and assorted other offerings ... just like A Time 2 Love! Welcome back, Stevie, and thank you for sharing your amazing gifts with us!
Peace, Scott damn, you're old  we are old well, I joined the club only a bit later with SITKOL, but otherwise I can co-sign on practically everything you said
. [Edited 10/22/05 11:54am] Vanglorious... this is protected by the red, the black, and the green. With a key... sissy! | |
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Dancelot said: Cloudbuster said: I'm now of the opinion that this is his best work since SITKOL.
Yeah, seriously. well, I'm not quite there yet but that CD had a great start in my ears and is growing every hour by the hour. give me a bit more time to make a verdict like yoursIt won't take you long.  | |
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breeze1 said: musicman said: I too like the Jungle Fever soiundtrack, especially "Make Sure You're Sure." The fuss is simply that we have it. It doesn't suck. You said not a "Whole lot of progression" which means some progression. This has been a bad year for music. Nothing memorable. Everything generic and trendy and dated. This album is Stevie. Not anybody else and not reflective of what other artists and music trends are doing. It has his signature. That's all. We are not looking for the second coming of the SITKOL messiah. DAMN IT I just typed a thesis and it was murdered by the time out disconnection... 
Let me try and give the short version this time: I didn't say the album sucked. I was just highly disappointed after waiting 10 years for a new album. But for every song on this album, I can find a major derivative from previous material. For all of the great guest appearances on this album, I was prepared to be blown away with matching great material. Three years ago when the news of this album surfaced, I've heard nothing but how this album was truly a return to form.... Stevie playing drums again, killer musicianship. I don't hear anything exciting on this album. Where are the elements that made Stevie such a monster in the first place? Where's the clavinet? Why are the fender rhodes buried so far in the mix that they shouldn't be credited? Why is Stevie boom/tapping on the drums? (I know back in the day Stevie used to track his snares, hi-hats and kicks separately... but he was still a highly skilled drummer) I accepted after Characters was released that Stevie will probably never release another album that compared with his 70s output. But for a man who was still able to release consistent, interesting albums in the 80s and 90s, he seems to have gotten stuck on autoplay from the last album... which I remind you is 10 years old. I love Stevie. I always will. If he farts on record, I will be the first in line to buy it. But, much like my other hero Prince, he's gotten stuck in this "lite-funk-schmaltzy" stuff. The only major difference is that Prince can still prove every couple of years that he can find his way out of the "schmaltz" and say "yeah, motherfucker, I still got it like that!" I haven't truly been moved by Stevie like that since 1991's "If She Breaks Your Heart" [Edited 10/22/05 14:02pm] | |
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i love positivity
 | |
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Stevie is a legend but his great days are over...he should just move to Vegas. | |
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pkidwell said: Stevie is a legend but his great days are over...he should just move to Vegas.
  I'm not mad at you, I'm mad at the dirt. | |
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pkidwell said: Stevie is a legend but his great days are over...he should just move to Vegas.
Stevie said tell your mama should move to vegas! | |
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actually my mom would like to....thanks for caring....and thank your mom for being such a giving cum-dumpster | |
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My review:
Let's for once not compare this album with his untouchable '70s masterpieces. I mean, once you made Innervisions and Songs In The Key Of Life, you know nobody's ever going to top that, and that's okay. So let's give this album a fair thread. Stevie has many different musical sides, the strong, unpredictable, funky, political conscious guy from the '70s, and the more ballad driven, less unpredictable, still great musician from the '80s and '90s. A Time 2 Love combines all this. Great, modern sounding uptempo tracks like the opener, If Your Love Cannot Be moved, a duet with soul diva Kim Burrell and pure funk in So What The Fuss (with Prince delivering funky guitar!), Please Don't Hurt My Baby and Tell Your Heart I Love You. Also some lovely ballads like the jazzy Moon Blue and the vocally beautiful How Will I Know with his daughter Aisha Morris. But Stevie wouldn't be Stevie if he didn't add some sappy slow jamz, From The Bottom Of My Heart and True Love are falling in that category, not bad songs though. My personal favorite would be Passionate Raindrops, the chorus and the melody recall Stevie at his prime. Album closer is the preachy, political A Time To Love were he let the world know he's still not satisfied with her in the year 2005. A pleasant album in it's own, from a extremely nice guy. 3,5 out of 5 to me.  | |
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