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Lucy Pearl
Lucy Pearl
By Carla Robinson
Lucy Pearl, the highly anticipated melding of three R&B/hip-hop super-powers,
Raphael Saadiq (Tony! Toni! Toné!), Dawn Robinson (En Vogue) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A
Tribe Called Quest), has produced a vital musical experience. The group’s self-titled
debut puts the fun back in funky with its contagious blend of innovative dance beats,
generous instrumentation and sing-a-long lyrics.
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Strains of the trio’s former groups can be heard throughout the disc,
but the miracle is that they mesh into a fresh, neo-soul sound. No small accomplishment
when you consider the heavy musical influence of En Vogue, Tribe, and three Ts, which had
many people questioning whether Lucy Pearl could create a consistent sound of its own.
Saadiq, Robinson and Muhammad have done just that, perfectly blending the finer elements
of the music that made each of them famous.
With the first single, “Dance Tonight,” Lucy Pearl made clear that liberating,
dance-funk music was where they planned to take us. The rest of the disc moves us deeper
into the journey, particularly the bass-driven “They Can’t,” the mellow but
direct “Trippin,” and “Everyday,” on which Saadiq’s and
Robinson’s harmonies melt into an unexpectedly pretty sound.
But maybe it’s all too good to be true. Unfortunately, there are rumors of Dawn
Robinson’s departure from the band and prospects for future releases are
anybody’s guess. But that shouldn’t stop you from adding Lucy Pearl to your CD
collection. Its mature, evolved sound is a real find in today’s musical climate;
it’s bound to become an R&B/hip-hop classic.
M
November 2000 |
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