Talk about a great year for R&B. 2008 has been bombarded with tremendous releases from the rhythm and blues genre (Saadiq, Thicke, Ne-Yo) and the young Miss Jazmine Sullivan contributes to the stellar year with her debut LP, Fearless. Mentored by Missy Elliott, backed by production from Salaam Remi and praised by every critic possible, Jazmine unleashes dynamic vocals with infinite range and soul connected to some of the most mature song writing from someone who just turned the barely legal age of 21. Despite her age, Jazmine bodies each track she is on and leads us to believe that the sky’s the limit for the songstress. Fearless certainly works on many levels and it is further strengthened with the lyrical content dedicated to the album’s name.
“Bust Your Windows” is a testament to being fearless, as Jazmine uses her crowbar to break glass while her vocal chords indulge eardrums everywhere. She sounds an awful like Lauryn Hill on “Need U Bad,” but still delivers one hell of a performance on the reggae-vibe single. StarGate production continues their hot streak with “Like a Hurricane,” a track that allows Jazmine to sink her teeth into some seriously emotional content. The emotion leaks out of the pen on similar tracks “In Love with another Man” and “Call Me Guilty.”
The beauty of “Lions, Tigers, and Bears” is in the maturity of Jazmine’s songwriting. While the title may lead to a cheesy first impression, the result is a huge surprise of a story of the one thing she may be afraid of, her love for another. “I’m not scared of lions and tigers and bears/ but I’m scared of loving you” is immaculately powerful when sung by the Philly native, while Salaam perfectly produces the track to create an eerie and adventurous backdrop.
The poignant theme of “Lions…” is common throughout the rest of the album. The production is solid through and through and the vocal arrangements tied in with the lyrical content and timing is perfect. Some may or may not like the refurbished “Liquid Swords” beat that is on “My Foolish Heart” or the silly and a little too fun “Switch” because of its ambition to appeal to a pop variety more than a strictly soul audience. For what it is though, Fearless is a great piece of work with minimal flaws and plenty of replay value. Don’t be so scared and listen to it the next chance you get.
Overall Score: 85/100
Stand Out Tracks:
“Need U Bad”
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“Lions, Tigers, and Bears”
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“After the Hurricane”
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{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Good review Deez. This is a good Lp. I copped it on the strength of “bust your windows” and was pleasantly surprised. strong lyrics good music merits a “85″ in my book. R&b is having a good comeback.
I love this album ya’ll…. Consistent spins
if Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill had a love child, it’d be her, goodness.
Yeah, this is a really solid album. I was pleasantly surprised. “After the Hurricane” is my jam!
i luv yo songz..keep up da gud work gurl.!!!!!!!!
I’ll keep it up Vitisha
this is a crazy album. i’m looking forward to even more growth on her sophomore record.
and she did all right during the Maxwell tour. that was a good look.
Am I the only one who thinks this girl sounds hella like Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation Of Laurynn Hill! “Need U Bad” could seriously been a track of that album, if someone told me it was a unrealeased track – i wouldent doubt it a sec! Still great album, i love laurynn hill so resurrecting her sound isnt a bad thing at all:)
I can hear a but of Lauryn, but Jazmine has a sound of her own as well. This album is hot; I think she’ll be around awhile.
Agreed, she is very talented, listened to some more of the tracks on the album now – and she does got her own sound!
Nelson, only on “Need U Bad” at times does she sound like Lauryn Hill
She’s fine for the rest of the album
Yeah she is, I actually love the album after having given it a few more rotations. Need U Bad was the first track I heard, and it kinda made me rush my conclusions. Went and copped the album earlier today, and as ive listened through it two times, I dont really associate her with Lauren that much nomore. Thanks to all the 3(?) of yall for running this blog btw, really helps me keeping myself updated on whats good in the states – living in Norway!
If I can convince one person to buy an album…
I’ve done my job beyond expectations
Haha word…love ur reviews. Its sad how the musicindustry is changed tho, this is the first album ive bought in a while – downloaded raphael saadiq’s, cuz I couldent really belive it was as good as the review claimed – boy did I regret that. Definatly buying the next thing he releases tho.
a 95.. was it? damn lol
should’ve bought it
Haha yeah, ill trust you guys next time, it was darn gooood!
it is* darn goood
Deez, you done did it on this one! DL’d this after your review, this is most definitely my fave album right now. Everyone is right, this chick is the 2008 Ms Hill for sure. ‘One Night Stand’ and ‘Lions & Tigers & Bears’ kill me. I’ve bumped it pretty much non-stop all week, going out to look for it this week to buy it. I hope it’s available Down Under! Good lookin’ man.
excellent album…I’ve been following her career for a while, she is going to have some great years ahead of her!
as always, great review sean.
word. niceness all around.
she doesn’t even remind me of l-boogie on Need U Bad.
you should listen to, and subsequently review solange’s album. even though it came out like 3 months ago. jusssst saaayin’…
Great Album. Really digging “Lions & Tiger & Bears”. I hope that song becomes her definitive sound.