Ledisi finds freedom in 'Turn Me Loose'

By Elysa Gardner, USA TODAY
How is Ledisi following up Lost & Found, the 2007 breakthrough that earned her Grammy nominations for best new artist and best R&B album? "I'm just going for it, all the way," she says, with Turn Me Loose, due Aug. 18.
For Loose, her fourth album, Ledisi teamed with veteran producers and writers such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Carvin & Ivan and Chucky Thompson, as well as her previous collaborator Rex Rideout. "The title is a reflection of me finally being free. I'm singing my tail off; everything I do live, I do here. Now you get to take that wild, crazy, fun girl you see on stage home with you."

Ledisi drew particular inspiration from the Buddy Miles song Them Changes, and she plans to put a cover version on Loose as an unlisted bonus track. "I had never heard the song, and then a friend played it for me and I started to cry. I just lost my mind, and I thought, 'I want to be able to let go like that.' "
http://www.usatoday.com/l...disi_N.htm

Is anybody thinking about getting this one by Ledisi? I loved her debut and the Lost & Found albums and this lady can tear down a house.
[Edited 7/28/09 7:08am]

Of course I'll be picking this up.
U should peep her "Orange" album as well.

Graycap23 said:

Yeah I have the Feel Orange but Sometimes Blue album and it has always been a personal favorite of mine. I got into that album after listening to Lost & Found.

Digging the new material.
Nice.

I'm listening to it now. Liking what I'm hearing.

Wowugotit said:

I take it all back. The albums is so-so. A real mixed-bag.

Yeah, critics haven't been really kind to it either. People are hyping it up as a Tina Turner, R&B and funk fest and it really is turning out to be a departure from her previous work. I haven't brought or listened to it yet, but I'm gonna have to give it a try.

I'm going to stop by the record store tomorrow to pick this up unless you guys are really disappointed with it, so let me know your opinions after you've listened to it thoroughly.

Thanks

How is the production?Curious to know how Chuck Thompson an Jam/Lewis did

I just listened to the album and it was decent, but like someone said earlier, it is definitely a mixed bag. It sounds like she is desperately trying to go to the pop side on a couple of tracks like the trite American Idol-like ballad, 'The Answer To Why,' or the reggae-dancehall groove of 'Trippin',' but there are some good cuts on here as well. The title track, 'Higher Than This,' 'Runnin',' and 'Goin' Thru Changes' are the highlights on here. Overall, it is a major departure from her previous three works, but it is not a too wise for her. I'm glad that she is branching out a little from the jazz and quiet-storm R&B sound, but that whole Chaka Khan and Tina Turner thing doesn't always work for her all of the time. In fact, the second half of this album delves into the rock and funk direction and I wasn't too impressed with it. She does a nice take of Buddy Miles' 1970 classic, 'Them Changes' though. The first half is what takes the cake to me I'm glad I downloaded it because I don't think I'll be buying it.

I did not like what I heard, her last one was better

Ok. I couldn't wait to hear it, so I've just gone through it and I actually like it. Its much more diverse, and playful and I think it was a smart move, because I think if she tried to repeat the formula of her last album she would have pigeonholed herself into one type of sound and I'm not sure she could out-do that album. I agree with the comment about the sound of 'Answer to Why' (I would have saved that for some other side project -- like a hallmark movie soundtrack or something). I think she'll lose a lot of her fan base that was more traditionalists in terms of their R&B appreciation.

I would give it 3 out of 4 stars. (but only if I take out the ballad and the Miles cover).

Love the new cd!

As a huge fan of Lost & Found, I was greatly looking forward to the album. The singles didn't do a lot for me (but they weren't bad either). However, I am greatly dissapointed. No real ballads so to speak, nothing funky and organic like "Upside Down" or "Think Of You"....it's way too poppy and rock-edged for me.

She needs to shave her armpits!

My late sister Stacy LOVED Ledisi.....I'll b checkin' this out!!!!

I don't care about anything negative, I'm buyin this! Love this girl, support her fully.

I'm gonna see about this one.

Timmy84 said:

Me too.

The more i listen to this album I LOVE it more and more. Sure its different, but when I hear the emotion in her voice I'm reminded just how she's growing into a more mature and distinguished artist. She had to make this album to move to the next level.

GREAT record!

This is actually the 1st album I bought from her,,,,I love how she kept alot of variety in her plate.

Alone is

What tracks did Jam and Lewis work on?

midiscover said:

"Higher Than This".

Harlepolis said:

That's all?

Damn...




[Edited 9/18/09 22:43pm]