I saw a short feature story on Remy Shand on E-talk daily. Although I had heard the name before, I didn't really know anything about him until now... It just happens that he reminds me of Prince a lot; I don't know any other artists that can claim credit: "All instruments played by ___ , produced, composed and performed by___" on their album besides Prince. This young guy's soulful music sounds like its influenced by Prince. He admires the same old school bands (Earth Wind & Fire, etc...) as Prince does and talks about his craft, and having control over everything. He grew up in a family of Musicians and as I've mentioned before, plays all instruments in his songs (he said about 15) and his voice isn't half bad either.

Does anyone hear know him and share similar view?
It would be interesting to see if anyone else shares my view (or not).

I hear you on this one. Remy earns my respect for all his work, and his album's pretty damn good, but wasn't properly promoted by Motown in the US. It was a massive hit up here in Canada, though, which is where he's from. There are some great neo-soul tracks on that record. He kind of sounds like what Alicia Keys could be if she fulfilled all her promise as an artist.
[This message was edited Sun Apr 25 6:31:45 2004 by VoicesCarry]

IMHO Remy's first CD is one of the best debuts albums ever it will be tough for him to follow. hopefully he will get the promotion and the success he deserves, he's just great. but I don't see him in the Prince department really, the songs sound so much more like all the 70's Soul greats. hey.. but who knows... judging Prince only after his debut album in '78 no one would have guessed what could come after!!

big props to Remy Shand


...and waiting for his 2nd CD desperately

very underrated album by a super talented guy... i still love playin guitar along to "take a message"

I was really underwhelmed when I bought this. I keep hearing about how great he is. Maybe I'll spin it tonight and see if I was too hard on the dude.

VoicesCarry said:

You're Canadian?

Really liked his album, btw.

prediction: He'll slip through the cracks and never be heard of again.

Sdldawn said:

Stephen!

Sdldawn said:

I hope that is not the case, but I wouldn't be surprised. It's more common for an artist to hit the Sophomore Slump than to have another hit like Norah Jones and Alicia Keys. It will definitely come down to lots of promoting which Motown is not good for doing IMHO. Remy grew on me steadily, and is probably one of the pleasant surprises of the decade. I can put on his music and it still sounds great cover to cover. He was constantly being played at work, not only by me but a couple of coworkers. I definitely prefer him over Thicke, who was also being touted as the next coming of blue-eyed soul. We shall see.

Remy's debut CD is excellent,and I can't wait for his second album.Hopefully,this time around,he will get better promotion.

I thought he sucked when I first heard him. Haven't heard of him since.

VoicesCarry said:

Exactly.And unlike many of the other neo-soul artists,Remy doesn't seem the least bit interested in hip-hop influences and sounds.His debut album sounds as if it was recorded before anyone even heard of hip-hop.
[This message was edited Mon Apr 26 0:45:15 2004 by DavidEye]

mrdespues said:

yeah...right.. but then again you have no idea whatsoever about Soul music, so who cares???

ThreadBare said:

Be sure to pay close attention to these tracks...

"The Way I Feel"
"Burning Bridges"
"Rocksteady"
"I Met Your Mercy"
"Looking Back On Vanity"
"The Second One"


Those are my favorite tracks.It's a stunning debut album,listen to it on headphones

CinisterCee said:

Sure am.

funkyslsistah said:

it always sounded to me like Thicke was tryin waaay 2 hard whereas remy was naturally cool....

Saw Remy at a club last summer, or maybe the summer before that.
He made some impressions on me... I was really impressed by how 'into it' he is. He sounded like a really good guitar player although he also played keyboards a lot. He really goes crazy when he plays. I hate to say it but, I couldn't believe how nerdy he looked:)!!! His guitar player looks like he was dressed by his mother for 'picture day' at school! I know it's been cool to be informal looking (Grungy??) but I personally like to see a performer look like a star. I guess I'm too used to the polka dot suits:)

DavidEye said:

there was a new single floating around last year. Is he still signed with Motown?

psykosoul said:

Yeah,last year Remy released an Internet-only single called "A Day In The Shade",which you can read about here...

http://www.urbandetour.co...000103.php

It's a nice song,with a cool Isleys vibe to it.Not sure if it will appear on his upcoming album.As far as I know,he is still signed to Motown.

Dancelot said:

i'm sorry, but that is just the most ignorant, mindless, groundless retort I have ever witnessed! how the fuck do you know? i happen to dig on stevie, alicia, aretha, james, PRINCE, michael, janet and many, many others and if you want to talk old school, how about otis, wilson, etc? all are faves.

now piss off back to the rock you came from out under.



.
[This message was edited Tue Apr 27 0:47:40 2004 by mrdespues]

mrdespues said:

haha chill out dude... did I hit a nerve here?

so an oldschool soul fan there whaddayanow... your profile don't give this information really... but hey U can choose whatever music you want. I just don't believe you did listen to Remy's album well enough to give an easy judgment like "he sucks" (just a wild guess: u don't even have that CD, you just saw a video and heard some tunes on the Radio...?!?)

so if U are not just dropping names here and really dig Stevie, Aretha, James, Otis, Wilson (means: not just owning the occassional Greatest hits compilation every now and then) u are authorized to give a verdict on Remy - after actually hearing the whole album!



OK, crawling back under my rock now, chillin with some Remy

Okay, this has gone off the edge.....

I was really disappointed that the second single "Rocksteady" didn't really catch on with the public.It's probably my favorite song on the whole album.On some parts of this tune,Remy sounds just like Prince.

DavidEye said:

Damn you just named all my favs from the album. Great minds think alike

The track I still play the most and love is "The Way I Feel" That song is just such a well produced and arranged, upbeat track, it puts me in a good mood everytime I hear it.

Whoever said Remy is what Alicia should sound like is right on! But that is where the problem with Remy lies. Have you seen his video for "The Way I Feel". He's an ugly white dude where as Alicia has her looks to help sell records. Not that it makes it right but we all know the music business is more about image than music. Hopefully Remy will keep making music for those of us who appreciate good song writing and musicianship.
[This message was edited Tue Apr 27 10:42:28 2004 by intha916]

The Great White Hype.

okaypimpn said:

Unfair. That cat loves soul music and is playing what his heart tells him to. Why not attack fools like R Kelly and Joe for coming out with watered down bullshit? We need people in music with some soul regardless of race.

intha916 said:

Got love for okaypimpin, but I am with 916 on this one. No one is hyping Remy as the next Stevie or Al, but he's put out good product in his own right. We should embrace him for that, not hate on him, even if the mass media might hype him or overhype him.

After all, many if not most of his black counterparts in "R&B" aren't puttin' it down like him.

I look forward to hearing more from him.

namepeace said:

Much love to you, too, namepeace!

However... I just personally don't see what all the hoopla is about him. I don't have anything against him and certainly not because he's white (that's so 1950-ish). It's just when I hear his music, I'm not moved or impressed. That's just my personal feeling towards him. The only reason why I said he's the "Great White Hype" is because that's what a lot of people have already labeled him and said how he's the "answer" to soul music, when in fact he's headed right into same melting pot as the other "answers" such as Jill Scott, Thicke, Maxwell, India.Arie, etc...

P.S. Who ever said he was the next "Stevie or Al"?

Well if he's in the same pot as Maxwell then I'm cool with that. I think Maxwell is a top 5 artist of today so if we disagree on that then your opinion of Remy is understandable. Just don't think race plays a part with him like it does Justin.