As close as we'll ever get to a "funk album" from El. Loved it.

Smooooooooooooooth!

JamFanHot said:

As close as we'll ever get to a "funk album" from El. Loved it.

Agreed! In The Storm was definitely El's best release to me. I have so many fond memories of this album when it came out in '92. There was such a strong Marvin Gaye influence that was present throughout much of the album and this is one of the songs that proves it. Too smooth and fresh.

silverchild said:

JamFanHot said:

As close as we'll ever get to a "funk album" from El. Loved it.

Agreed! In The Storm was definitely El's best release to me. I have so many fond memories of this album when it came out in '92. There was such a strong Marvin Gaye influence that was present throughout much of the album and this is one of the songs that proves it. Too smooth and fresh.

Yeah, he plays a little Marvin in the intro to "In The Storm."

This song sounds like Marvin's version of "I Wanna Be Where You Are" in parts.

Timmy84 said:

This song sounds like Marvin's version of "I Wanna Be Where You Are" in parts.

It does. This whole album had Marvin's spirit in it in many of the tracks.

silverchild said:

Timmy84 said:

This song sounds like Marvin's version of "I Wanna Be Where You Are" in parts.

It does. This whole album had Marvin's spirit in it in many of the tracks.

I know right?

The artist who did the cover for this album also did Dangerous for Mike Jackson.

MickyDolenz said:

The artist who did the cover for this album also did Dangerous for Mike Jackson.

Wow...didn't know that! I lost the CD a long time ago, but downloaded it a while back. Great album and provoking artwork.

I see you, Ms Trina!

Plenty of Marvin in the intro to this song--this whole album is a Marvin tribute IMO!

purplethunder3121 said:

Plenty of Marvin in the intro to this song--this whole album is a Marvin tribute IMO!

"In The Storm" kind've makes me sad at times, but hopeful. El really did Marv justice with this song and album.

silverchild said:

purplethunder3121 said:

Plenty of Marvin in the intro to this song--this whole album is a Marvin tribute IMO!

"In The Storm" kind've makes me sad at times, but hopeful. El really did Marv justice with this song and album.

^^^ I know--the intro to "In The Storm" and the title of the song you posted "Another Chance" is really ironic and shows how El was struggling with his demons and conscious of it even then. But I really believe this time he is being real with himself and I hope he takes advantage of his "Second Chance" and works on his sobriety. He went on the road way too soon. His life and health are SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than promoting an album--as much as I would love to see him perform live--I would rather that he never perform live again--if it means he can maintain his sobriety. His looks, health, and voice were preserved for a reason. Now, El, truly make your second chance count... And, yes, El did Marvin justice with this album...now he needs to do himself justice!

purplethunder3121 said:

silverchild said:

"In The Storm" kind've makes me sad at times, but hopeful. El really did Marv justice with this song and album.

^^^ I know--the intro to "In The Storm" and the title of the song you posted "Another Chance" is really ironic and shows how El was struggling with his demons and conscious of it even then. But I really believe this time he is being real with himself and I hope he takes advantage of his "Second Chance" and works on his sobriety. He went on the road way too soon. His life and health are SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than promoting an album--as much as I would love to see him perform live--I would rather that he never perform live again--if it means he can maintain his sobriety. His looks, health, and voice were preserved for a reason. Now, El, truly make your second chance count... And, yes, El did Marvin justice with this album...now he needs to do himself justice!

purplethunder3121, you hit it right on the head! I was listening to this song on my iPod a couple of weeks ago, while I was walking to my class and it just struck me like never before. I think it was because of El's personal demons and the struggles he has endured. It was tragic that he had a bad drug addiction, but this song is a testament to taking a stand in your life and the world in general. I was almost in tears while listening to that song, but I instantly sucked it up. It just hit me really hit me.

silverchild said:

purplethunder3121 said:

^^^ I know--the intro to "In The Storm" and the title of the song you posted "Another Chance" is really ironic and shows how El was struggling with his demons and conscious of it even then. But I really believe this time he is being real with himself and I hope he takes advantage of his "Second Chance" and works on his sobriety. He went on the road way too soon. His life and health are SO MUCH MORE IMPORTANT than promoting an album--as much as I would love to see him perform live--I would rather that he never perform live again--if it means he can maintain his sobriety. His looks, health, and voice were preserved for a reason. Now, El, truly make your second chance count... And, yes, El did Marvin justice with this album...now he needs to do himself justice!

purplethunder3121, you hit it right on the head! I was listening to this song on my iPod a couple of weeks ago, while I was walking to my class and it just struck me like never before. I think it was because of El's personal demons and the struggles he has endured. It was tragic that he had a bad drug addiction, but this song is a testament to taking a stand in your life and the world in general. I was almost in tears while listening to that song, but I instantly sucked it up. It just hit me really hit me.

I know how you feel--I have personally had to deal with two family members in the last two years who became addicted to drugs so I can feel for El's struggle. And I have hope for him, just like I do my family members. But it is true that faith in a higher power than yourself can go a long way toward helping in recovery...and for life in general. I made my best friend a copy of El's Second Chance album that I had bought and she said it had her in tears--literally! So many people are pulling for El and sending out prayers... I hope to continue to hear good news about him!

silverchild said:

JamFanHot said:

As close as we'll ever get to a "funk album" from El. Loved it.

Agreed! In The Storm was definitely El's best release to me. I have so many fond memories of this album when it came out in '92. There was such a strong Marvin Gaye influence that was present throughout much of the album and this is one of the songs that proves it. Too smooth and fresh.

Enough said.

silverchild said:

JamFanHot said:

As close as we'll ever get to a "funk album" from El. Loved it.

Agreed! In The Storm was definitely El's best release to me. I have so many fond memories of this album when it came out in '92. There was such a strong Marvin Gaye influence that was present throughout much of the album and this is one of the songs that proves it. Too smooth and fresh.

SURE WAS!! I still love listening to it.

silverchild said:

MickyDolenz said:

The artist who did the cover for this album also did Dangerous for Mike Jackson.

Wow...didn't know that! I lost the CD a long time ago, but downloaded it a while back. Great album and provoking artwork.

I just went and looked at the album. The artist's name is Mark Ryden.

scriptgirl said:

I see you, Ms Trina!

I see you too script.

El never hid the fact that this album was homage to (his hero) Marvin Gaye's, "What's Going On". El said, the same issues Gaye wrote and sung about were still relevant. As others have mentioned, this is El's most funkiest album to date, one can only hope he dips into the funk again. (fingers crossed)

===================================================

[Edited 5/26/11 18:12pm]

TD3 said:

scriptgirl said:

I see you, Ms Trina!

I see you too script.

El never hid the fact that this album was homage to (his hero) Marvin Gaye's, "What's Going On". El said, the same issues Gaye wrote and sung about were still relevant. As others have mentioned, this is El's most funkiest album to date, one can only hope he dips into the funk again. (fingers crossed)

===================================================

[Edited 5/26/11 18:12pm]

I agree. I was disappointed with the last album he put out.

[Edited 5/26/11 18:51pm]

Wooo

I had the pleasure of seeing El at the end of last year at one of his club gigs on the East Coast. Even though he later admitted to still struggling with drugs, he still looked and sounded incredible. It's just amazing to see him because you would have never looked at thought he was a drug addict fighting addiction for two decades. I pray for him and wish him the best. Yes, he went back on the road way to soon and his managers should all be fired, imo!

SeventeenDayze said:

I had the pleasure of seeing El at the end of last year at one of his club gigs on the East Coast. Even though he later admitted to still struggling with drugs, he still looked and sounded incredible. It's just amazing to see him because you would have never looked at thought he was a drug addict fighting addiction for two decades. I pray for him and wish him the best. Yes, he went back on the road way to soon and his managers should all be fired, imo!

Is it me or is El aging? I saw a video of him performing real recently, it seems El's hair has not only shortened from last year, it's gotten grey-ish?

Timmy84 said:

SeventeenDayze said:

I had the pleasure of seeing El at the end of last year at one of his club gigs on the East Coast. Even though he later admitted to still struggling with drugs, he still looked and sounded incredible. It's just amazing to see him because you would have never looked at thought he was a drug addict fighting addiction for two decades. I pray for him and wish him the best. Yes, he went back on the road way to soon and his managers should all be fired, imo!

Is it me or is El aging? I saw a video of him performing real recently, it seems El's hair has not only shortened from last year, it's gotten grey-ish?

The "boy" will be 50 in a couple of weeks.... are you kidding me?

What did you not like about "Second Chance".

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

Is it me or is El aging? I saw a video of him performing real recently, it seems El's hair has not only shortened from last year, it's gotten grey-ish?

The "boy" will be 50 in a couple of weeks.... are you kidding me?

What did you not like about "Second Chance".

The production on some of the songs... I guess I was expecting something funky or something or something really soulful but it all sounded plastic. He was much better producing and arranging his own stuff, which he hasn't done since 1994.

And I know he'll be 50 I'm aware of it. But to ME it seemed he did look younger during promo of "Second Chance" and then post-rehab, the wrinkles became more defined.

Timmy84 said:

TD3 said:

The "boy" will be 50 in a couple of weeks.... are you kidding me?

What did you not like about "Second Chance".

The production on some of the songs... I guess I was expecting something funky or something or something really soulful but it all sounded plastic. He was much better producing and arranging his own stuff, which he hasn't done since 1994.

And I know he'll be 50 I'm aware of it. But to ME it seemed he did look younger during promo of "Second Chance" and then post-rehab, the wrinkles became more defined.

yeah i gave El's album an tentative *** stars.

i could've done without the rappers and baby face corny ass song, other than that it was fine, OK. Like some many mature artist they seem to concerned with sounding current instead of doing what they do best, being themselves.

who knows maybe El wasn't strong or confident enough to step back behind the controls; i hope in the future he takes his production into his hands, at least co-produce and write much of his material.

==========================================================

[Edited 5/26/11 21:03pm]

TD3 said:

Timmy84 said:

The production on some of the songs... I guess I was expecting something funky or something or something really soulful but it all sounded plastic. He was much better producing and arranging his own stuff, which he hasn't done since 1994.

And I know he'll be 50 I'm aware of it. But to ME it seemed he did look younger during promo of "Second Chance" and then post-rehab, the wrinkles became more defined.

yeah i gave El's album an tentative *** stars.

i could've done without the rappers and baby face corny ass song, other than that it was fine, OK. Like some many mature artist they seem to concerned with sounding current instead of doing what they do best, being themselves.

who knows maybe El wasn't strong or confident enough to step back behind the controls; i hope in the future he takes his production into his hands, at least co-produce and write much of his material.

==========================================================

[Edited 5/26/11 21:03pm]

Hell he sounded nervous while singing all the tracks. It's like he came back way too soon. He just got off a two-decade drug addiction. It's not that easy to remain sober especially if you're in the music industry and you don't have good people to support you and to be in an area where you'll be fine (like Miki Howard for example).

Timmy84 said:

TD3 said:

yeah i gave El's album an tentative *** stars.

i could've done without the rappers and baby face corny ass song, other than that it was fine, OK. Like some many mature artist they seem to concerned with sounding current instead of doing what they do best, being themselves.

who knows maybe El wasn't strong or confident enough to step back behind the controls; i hope in the future he takes his production into his hands, at least co-produce and write much of his material.

==========================================================

[Edited 5/26/11 21:03pm]

Hell he sounded nervous while singing all the tracks. It's like he came back way too soon. He just got off a two-decade drug addiction. It's not that easy to remain sober especially if you're in the music industry and you don't have good people to support you and to be in an area where you'll be fine (like Miki Howard for example).

Timmy--well when I saw him the end of last year he looked great but maybe he was just tired/stressed from the embarassment of going back into rehab when you saw his photo post rehab. BTW, I haven't seen that pic, do you have a link? Another issue Timmy is that El basically came out of nowhere again and did a very intense comeback tour that perhaps emotionally he wasn't ready for, as you mentioned. I remember when I saw him doing the club gig a few months ago, he kept asking the audience what our favorite song was off the album. Some of the folks were like "All of them" and he laughed and was like "No, seriously tell me"....he did seem a bit nervous in some of the interviews that were going on around this time (I'm thinking about the interview he did with Monique, for example).

I wish him the best, I think he was maintained for a reason and not because of R&B. I wouldn't be surprised if he became an evangelist one day (think of Vanity/Denise).

[Edited 5/28/11 9:06am]

Is he out of rehab?