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I'm trying hard to like this album more than I actually do... Overall, it's a good return, and I'm sure it will appeal both to most fans and to casual listeners...and it's certainly better than most of the crap that passes for pop music out there... ...but I'm just not moved by it that much...I'll give it a few more listens... ... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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psykosoul said: Man, I'm trying to get there with this album. But at this point it seems like I'm forcing myself to do so. It's definitely better than Conversation Peace. It's nice to hear some new material. But I think you hit the nail on the head about the Motif as opposed to Moog. He's doing some phenomenal stuff on the keys but it just doesn't hit me the same. Vocally, he is showing out, especially on Moon Blue. This album to me is much like Prince's Musicology: nice to have, but even in this day and age of music, they as musicians, are capable of better. damn, psyko, did we write that at the same time? ... " I've got six things on my mind --you're no longer one of them." - Paddy McAloon, Prefab Sprout | |
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paligap said: psykosoul said: Man, I'm trying to get there with this album. But at this point it seems like I'm forcing myself to do so. It's definitely better than Conversation Peace. It's nice to hear some new material. But I think you hit the nail on the head about the Motif as opposed to Moog. He's doing some phenomenal stuff on the keys but it just doesn't hit me the same. Vocally, he is showing out, especially on Moon Blue. This album to me is much like Prince's Musicology: nice to have, but even in this day and age of music, they as musicians, are capable of better. damn, psyko, did we write that at the same time?  great minds think alike
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psykosoul said:[quote] okaypimpn said: Vocally, he is showing out, especially on Moon Blue. This album to me is much like Prince's Musicology: nice to have, but even in this day and age of music, they as musicians, are capable of better.
pardon my english, but what do you mean by "showing out. | |
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psykosoul said: okaypimpn said: When I first bought this album and listened to it, I wasn't too wild about it.
However, after keeping it in rotation, I've got to say that this is a really good "comeback" album for Stevie. Man, I'm trying to get there with this album. But at this point it seems like I'm forcing myself to do so. It's definitely better than Conversation Peace. It's nice to hear some new material. But I think you hit the nail on the head about the Motif as opposed to Moog. He's doing some phenomenal stuff on the keys but it just doesn't hit me the same. Vocally, he is showing out, especially on Moon Blue. This album to me is much like Prince's Musicology: nice to have, but even in this day and age of music, they as musicians, are capable of better. | |
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HardcoreJollies said: [color=darkblue]I love this album. For me, the weakest track and the only one I find myself needing to hit the skip button on is Passionate Raindrops. It is just so dull and repetitive.
BTW, did y'all notice Stevie bowed at No. 5 on the Billboard albums chart with 121,000 copies sold? That is a major comeback, especially considering all the delays and botched single launches. Conversation Peace came in at No. 17 10 years ago and only sold 53,000 in its first week and to this day has only sold 361,000. If Stevie could get a hit single or two, A Time 2 Love would surely be his biggest success since at least In Square Circle, 20 years ago. I agree.If Motown stays focused on this project and releases the right singles,this could be a big comeback album for Stevie.Songs like [b]"Sweetest Somebody I Know","Can't Imagine Love Without You" and possibly "Moon Blue" are potential hits just begging to be released as singles. | |
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Finally, my review! I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath for what my views are on this disc… wait no longer! It’s here!  As if.
Anyway, here goes: If Your Love Cannot Be Moved Driving beat… is this an anti-Bush song? I would say yes! “You can’t pray for grace and then smack her face you can’t speak of hope And then crack a joke” …… excellent. Sweetest Somebody I Know Oooh, Stevie’s in love! Beautiful string arrangement… great melody. Moon Blue Someone earlier in this thread said that Stevie’s voice is not as great on this disc than on past discs… you need only to listen this song to hear the beautiful voice that is Stevie’s. Oh, and that falsetto… mmm, mmm, mmm. From The Bottom of My Heart Oooh, Stevie’s in love! Beautiful song, harmonica is awesome! I actually goaway humming this tune. Please Don’t Hurt My Baby OLD SCHOOL FUNKY! Sounds of the 70’s! Stevie’s keyboard bass line is funkay! I love the line, “I was blinded by ‘sexation’” - you go Stevie! How Will I Know When I first heard Aisha sing, I teared up… I can only imagine how special it must have been for Stevie to sing with his daughter. Oh, and what a pretty and clear voice she has. My Love Is On Fire Reminds me of old heatwave or Bozz Scaggs music… very smooth. Passionate Raindrops A throw back to “Hotter Than July” – Smacks of “Rocket Love”… and there’s nothing wrong with that. Soooo sweet. Tell Your Heart I Love You Another funky tune – on this one, great harmonica, double beat bass drum… and a mean slide guitar by Bonnie Raitt True Love Ooooh, did I mention… Stevie’s in Loooove! Nice jazzy love song! Shelter In The Rain Stevie’s very own “Lean On Me” song… your friend when no one else will step up. Beautiful. Narada Michael Walden’s on the drums. So What The Fuss Best version. I love the delayed intro, and the “Prince – Pop It!” EnVogue on the background vocals… and at the end, Prince breakin’ down with his signature guitar lick. I especially love the liner notes he wrote about Prince. Prince – You didn’t have to do it, but you did and I thank you! Also noted in the credits: Prince – Courtesy of Himself! All the others have to ask their label… 
Can’t Imagine Love Without You This song should be on a soundtrack to a film… it just seems to be written for a movie. I like it though. Positivity What’s up people!?! I love this song! Stevie’s staccato style delivery, like only he can… Aisha’s cute chorus intro… the voice box, etc. mmm, mmm, mmm! It’s a fun song, oh and it’s positive too. 
A Time To Love Reminds me of Stevie’s old work from the 70’s. india.arie’s voice is beautiful. I wonder, as I listen… is it Bush they’re referring to? ”We have time to conquer nations time for oil excavations” oh, and… ”It’s such a shame not enough money for the young, the old and the poor but for war there’s always more.” When Stevie goes off into his adlibs… mmm, mmm, mmm….. classic. Overall – I truly love and enjoy this album very much. I think it’s the best he’s done since “Hotter Than July”… and that’s saying a lot. I take issue with those that say he’s lost some of his voice. I’ve seen him in concert 4 times, his voice live is like no other… pitch perfect. I hope he tours on this, I look forward to grabbin’ me some tickets! Thank You, Stevie, for this cd… just don’t make me wait so long next time. - June7 |
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moderatorJune7 said: Finally, my review! I know you’ve all been waiting with baited breath for what my views are on this disc… wait no longer! It’s here!
As if.
Anyway, here goes: If Your Love Cannot Be Moved Driving beat… is this an anti-Bush song? I would say yes! “You can’t pray for grace and then smack her face you can’t speak of hope And then crack a joke” …… excellent. Sweetest Somebody I Know Oooh, Stevie’s in love! Beautiful string arrangement… great melody. Moon Blue Someone earlier in this thread said that Stevie’s voice is not as great on this disc than on past discs… you need only to listen this song to hear the beautiful voice that is Stevie’s. Oh, and that falsetto… mmm, mmm, mmm. From The Bottom of My Heart Oooh, Stevie’s in love! Beautiful song, harmonica is awesome! I actually goaway humming this tune. Please Don’t Hurt My Baby OLD SCHOOL FUNKY! Sounds of the 70’s! Stevie’s keyboard bass line is funkay! I love the line, “I was blinded by ‘sexation’” - you go Stevie! How Will I Know When I first heard Aisha sing, I teared up… I can only imagine how special it must have been for Stevie to sing with his daughter. Oh, and what a pretty and clear voice she has. My Love Is On Fire Reminds me of old heatwave or Bozz Scaggs music… very smooth. Passionate Raindrops A throw back to “Hotter Than July” – Smacks of “Rocket Love”… and there’s nothing wrong with that. Soooo sweet. Tell Your Heart I Love You Another funky tune – on this one, great harmonica, double beat bass drum… and a mean slide guitar by Bonnie Raitt True Love Ooooh, did I mention… Stevie’s in Loooove! Nice jazzy love song! Shelter In The Rain Stevie’s very own “Lean On Me” song… your friend when no one else will step up. Beautiful. Narada Michael Walden’s on the drums. So What The Fuss Best version. I love the delayed intro, and the “Prince – Pop It!” EnVogue on the background vocals… and at the end, Prince breakin’ down with his signature guitar lick. I especially love the liner notes he wrote about Prince. Prince – You didn’t have to do it, but you did and I thank you! Also noted in the credits: Prince – Courtesy of Himself! All the others have to ask their label…
Can’t Imagine Love Without You This song should be on a soundtrack to a film… it just seems to be written for a movie. I like it though. Positivity What’s up people!?! I love this song! Stevie’s staccato style delivery, like only he can… Aisha’s cute chorus intro… the voice box, etc. mmm, mmm, mmm! It’s a fun song, oh and it’s positive too.
A Time To Love Reminds me of Stevie’s old work from the 70’s. india.arie’s voice is beautiful. I wonder, as I listen… is it Bush they’re referring to? ”We have time to conquer nations time for oil excavations” oh, and… ”It’s such a shame not enough money for the young, the old and the poor but for war there’s always more.” When Stevie goes off into his adlibs… mmm, mmm, mmm….. classic. Overall – I truly love and enjoy this album very much. I think it’s the best he’s done since “Hotter Than July”… and that’s saying a lot. I take issue with those that say he’s lost some of his voice. I’ve seen him in concert 4 times, his voice live is like no other… pitch perfect. I hope he tours on this, I look forward to grabbin’ me some tickets! Thank You, Stevie, for this cd… just don’t make me wait so long next time. - June7 Great Review!! My Sentiments exactly!! | |
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I'm on my second listen now. My first impression is..... it's about damn time. The bookend songs are great-- classics even (we'll see). That I can say after one listen. Moon Blue is great. The voice, the piano, everything. The song that worried me is From the Bottom of My Heart. It reeks of smooth jazz/adult contemporary, but you know what? It's growing on me and it's Stevie-frickin-Wonder.  Besides, we get to hear the harmonica.
I don't understand how people can't like Positivity. Please Don't Hurt My Baby has that old Stevie jam feeling. If you don't like that you never liked him in the first place. I wasn't blown away by So What The Fuss the first time around but I haven't heard it a second time yet. I'll get back to that. Overall, I'll need a few more spins to judge the cd. Oh, How Will I Know is on. Like that too. Based on what I've just said this is a superb album. I won't compare it to Talking Book but I will say it's my favorite since The Secret Life Of Plants already. 
Just as I say all of that it's back to adult contemporary with My Love Is On Fire. 
 [Edited 10/28/05 21:28pm] |
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It's a beautiful album and hints at the "golden era" that he had...
I have this CD on repeat!!!! 
Jshua | |
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i just got it today. the first track is amazing. epic r+b! it sorta reminds me of Jesus Walks.
i knew it'd be to true to believe, that Stevie wouldn't go off on a Casio moment but track 2 is ample proof of it. hahah! still tho, i love me Stevie Wonder. oh wow....Wehat The Fuss is difefrent from the version that was leaked on the net. it has a much better ending. the MOOG bazz!!!! [Edited 10/29/05 11:57am] | |
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DavidEye said: DMSR said: "A Time 2 Sleep"
I guess we're never gonna hear Stevie play drums again or hear that clavinet...Is there anything better than Stevie's opening drum beat on "Superststition?" that starts a party everytime... Shit I'll take "Skeletons" at this point, where's the funk! Yes,the album has a mellow vibe,but when Stevie decides to get funky,the results are impressive."Please Don't Hurt My Baby","Tell Your Heart I Love You" and "So What The Fuss" are top-notch jams. I took another listen to "Please Don't Hurt Me' and it ain't bad. "So what the Fuss" has promise but goes on too long and really doesn't change much from the first verse and chorus, nothing happens really..util Prince's part at the end, I wish both of them would have improvised a little more. He might be playing drums, not sure f they're live though, and definitely not that old funky style on all his 70's albums. That high hat was Stevie and funky shit. ______________________________________________
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DMSR said: DavidEye said: Yes,the album has a mellow vibe,but when Stevie decides to get funky,the results are impressive."Please Don't Hurt My Baby","Tell Your Heart I Love You" and "So What The Fuss" are top-notch jams. I took another listen to "Please Don't Hurt Me' and it ain't bad. "So what the Fuss" has promise but goes on too long and really doesn't change much from the first verse and chorus, nothing happens really..util Prince's part at the end, I wish both of them would have improvised a little more. He might be playing drums, not sure f they're live though, and definitely not that old funky style on all his 70's albums. That high hat was Stevie and funky shit. I wasn't impressed with Prince's contribution at all, nor any of the big name guests aside from India Arie. It doesn't really disappoint me though because I just wanted to hear Stevie anyway. |
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whodknee said: DMSR said: I took another listen to "Please Don't Hurt Me' and it ain't bad. "So what the Fuss" has promise but goes on too long and really doesn't change much from the first verse and chorus, nothing happens really..util Prince's part at the end, I wish both of them would have improvised a little more. He might be playing drums, not sure f they're live though, and definitely not that old funky style on all his 70's albums. That high hat was Stevie and funky shit. I wasn't impressed with Prince's contribution at all, nor any of the big name guests aside from India Arie. It doesn't really disappoint me though because I just wanted to hear Stevie anyway. However, unlike the current trend for top notch performers/writers of our day (for example: Santana, EW&F, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and there's sooooo many more that just don't come to mind right now) to hook up with the latest flavor of the year, Big Boi, Dre, Snoop, etc., Stevie chose to focus on the music. Only the music listeners will care that it's Bonnie Raitt on the slide, that it's Prince on the guitar, that it's McCartney on percussion, that it's EnVogue doing back up vocals, and so on and so on... None of the guest performers takes the light off of Stevie and his music. They may enhance it to a degree, but they don't steal the limelight - it was obviously not his intention. Save the rappers and the high-end guest vocals for the remixes (which I would gladly listen to also) but if he wanted Prince to sing a verse or two, I'm sure Prince would have... he obviously wanted to focus on the music, for music's sake. My  - June7 |
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June7 said: whodknee said: I wasn't impressed with Prince's contribution at all, nor any of the big name guests aside from India Arie. It doesn't really disappoint me though because I just wanted to hear Stevie anyway. However, unlike the current trend for top notch performers/writers of our day (for example: Santana, EW&F, Luther Vandross, Ray Charles, and there's sooooo many more that just don't come to mind right now) to hook up with the latest flavor of the year, Big Boi, Dre, Snoop, etc., Stevie chose to focus on the music. Only the music listeners will care that it's Bonnie Raitt on the slide, that it's Prince on the guitar, that it's McCartney on percussion, that it's EnVogue doing back up vocals, and so on and so on... None of the guest performers takes the light off of Stevie and his music. They may enhance it to a degree, but they don't steal the limelight - it was obviously not his intention. Save the rappers and the high-end guest vocals for the remixes (which I would gladly listen to also) but if he wanted Prince to sing a verse or two, I'm sure Prince would have... he obviously wanted to focus on the music, for music's sake. My - June7I agree,and that's one of the things I love about Stevie's album.The guest artists are there,but their contributions are very subtle and low-key.And with the exception of Doug E.Fresh (who handles the beat on one track but doesn't rap here),there are no hip-hop guests on this CD.Unlike many other Old School artists who are desperate to stay relevent,Stevie doesn't waste his time with silly hip-hop experiments or any misguided attempts to update his sound.This album is pure Stevie through and through. | |
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I am not a Stevie hardcore fan. Actually, this is the first Stevie album I bought out of curiosity for "So what the fuss." I reallly love this album. Deep and powerful lyrics. Really funky music. I am in a great mood as I am typing this. Now that I've taken the time to listen to it a few times, I noticed that Prince plays his guitar throughout the song "So what the Fuss" unlike in Common's Electric Circus where he plays keyboard at the end only. Anyway, I don't like rap. | |
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gyro34 said: I am not a Stevie hardcore fan. Actually, this is the first Stevie album I bought out of curiosity for "So what the fuss." I reallly love this album. Deep and powerful lyrics. Really funky music. I am in a great mood as I am typing this. Now that I've taken the time to listen to it a few times, I noticed that Prince plays his guitar throughout the song "So what the Fuss" unlike in Common's Electric Circus where he plays keyboard at the end only. Anyway, I don't like rap.
Hi Gyro.I know you said you're not a hardcore fan,but if you like this new CD,I recommend that you check out Stevie's 70s albums ('Talking Book','Innervisions','Fulfillingness' First Finale' and 'Songs In The Key Of Life').I guarantee that these albums will turn you into a diehard fan. | |
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DavidEye said: gyro34 said: I am not a Stevie hardcore fan. Actually, this is the first Stevie album I bought out of curiosity for "So what the fuss." I reallly love this album. Deep and powerful lyrics. Really funky music. I am in a great mood as I am typing this. Now that I've taken the time to listen to it a few times, I noticed that Prince plays his guitar throughout the song "So what the Fuss" unlike in Common's Electric Circus where he plays keyboard at the end only. Anyway, I don't like rap.
Hi Gyro.I know you said you're not a hardcore fan,but if you like this new CD,I recommend that you check out Stevie's 70s albums ('Talking Book','Innervisions','Fulfillingness' First Finale' and 'Songs In The Key Of Life').I guarantee that these albums will turn you into a diehard fan. I'd actually listen to Music Of My Mind first, then those ones  | |
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To put it simply: I love this album.  | |
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I have liked this album from the outset, but I just went back and listened to Coversation Peace, Characters and Jungle Fever again for the first time in years. A Time 2 Love is much better than any of those. It's also better than In Square Circle and Lady in Red. This album harkens back to the quality and care of his classic period, Music of My Mind through Hotter Than July. I may even like it better than everything he has done, save SITKOL, Talking Book and Innervisions (my all-time fave). In any case, it belongs in the top half if not the upper third of his work. Pretty impressive and much better than any of us had the right to ever expect again after 25 years of erratic and sporatic output.
Scott If you've got funk, you've got style. | |
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HardcoreJollies said: I have liked this album from the outset, but I just went back and listened to Coversation Peace, Characters and Jungle Fever again for the first time in years. A Time 2 Love is much better than any of those. It's also better than In Square Circle and Lady in Red. This album harkens back to the quality and care of his classic period, Music of My Mind through Hotter Than July. I may even like it better than everything he has done, save SITKOL, Talking Book and Innervisions (my all-time fave). In any case, it belongs in the top half if not the upper third of his work. Pretty impressive and much better than any of us had the right to ever expect again after 25 years of erratic and sporatic output.
Scott Agreed!
PS, iT's also very much true, that AT2L is much better than that boring old fart called "Lady in Red"
 Vanglorious... this is protected by the red, the black, and the green. With a key... sissy! | |
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jacktheimprovident said: DavidEye said: Hi Gyro.I know you said you're not a hardcore fan,but if you like this new CD,I recommend that you check out Stevie's 70s albums ('Talking Book','Innervisions','Fulfillingness' First Finale' and 'Songs In The Key Of Life').I guarantee that these albums will turn you into a diehard fan. I'd actually listen to Music Of My Mind first, then those ones Hello DavidEye and Jacktheimprovident: Thank you for the recommendations. It's going to be one funky and soulful trip for me. | |
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whodknee said: DMSR said: I took another listen to "Please Don't Hurt Me' and it ain't bad. "So what the Fuss" has promise but goes on too long and really doesn't change much from the first verse and chorus, nothing happens really..util Prince's part at the end, I wish both of them would have improvised a little more. He might be playing drums, not sure f they're live though, and definitely not that old funky style on all his 70's albums. That high hat was Stevie and funky shit. I wasn't impressed with Prince's contribution at all, nor any of the big name guests aside from India Arie. It doesn't really disappoint me though because I just wanted to hear Stevie anyway. That's my feeling about it, Stevie could have given Prince's part to any studio musican. He under utilized Prince's abilities. No More Haters on the Internet. | |
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June7, thanks for your great review...makes me think I do indeed need to pick up a copy of this! (Plus, I heard a little bit of it in a record store today, and it sounded pretty good to me!)"I would say that Prince's top thirty percent is great. Of that thirty percent, I'll bet the public has heard twenty percent of it." - Susan Rogers, "Hunting for Prince's Vault", BBC, 2015 |
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HardcoreJollies said: I have liked this album from the outset, but I just went back and listened to Coversation Peace, Characters and Jungle Fever again for the first time in years. A Time 2 Love is much better than any of those. It's also better than In Square Circle and Lady in Red. This album harkens back to the quality and care of his classic period, Music of My Mind through Hotter Than July. I may even like it better than everything he has done, save SITKOL, Talking Book and Innervisions (my all-time fave). In any case, it belongs in the top half if not the upper third of his work. Pretty impressive and much better than any of us had the right to ever expect again after 25 years of erratic and sporatic output.
Scott | |
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thesexofit said: word out is that it ain't too good.
i heard samples, it just sounds unexciting. Aw hell..... 
Anything Stevie is alright with me..... The album's cool, anyways They did WHAT??!....
Org Sci-Fi Association | |
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I wasn't sure if I should buy this album,
but I love Stevie and I did like Conversation Peace (a decent album) and when a lot off U say it's better than that album and it comes close 2 Jungle Fever, ,well, I'm gonna get my copie tomorrow!!!! Love4oneanother | |
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I mourn his loss. Everyone loves the SausagePlatter | |
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I am so loving this album!! Go Stevie!! | |
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I love the playfulness and human quality of this album. Like when Stevie cracks himself up trying to scat sing during Moon Blue or where you can hear his kid or where he says at the end of one song "That's a might long time, but so what?" or where he name checks Hubert Laws and Prince. There are other examples, too. Stevie has not lost his sense of humor. For that matter, he has not lost a damn thing! It all adds up to a consistently enjoyable listen of uncommon depth and talent -- mighty rare today, especially on the R&B side.
Any time is the right time for A Time 2 Love! Peace, Scott If you've got funk, you've got style. | |
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