Ledisi Albums (5)
'Turn Me Loose'
Release Date 8/18/2009
Tracks 14
Label Verve Forecast
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What The Critics Say
Following Lost & Found, an album that earned Ledisi a pair of Grammy nominations, Turn Me Loose partially roots itself in the singer's past work and otherwise branches out from it. The album's title, as well as its cover, indicates a new, brash direction -- one that makes up only a portion of the set. Throughout the opening "Runnin," "Knockin'," and stretches of a couple other songs -- not to mention a charging, howling cover of Buddy Miles' "Them Changes" -- Ledisi and her band deliver rocking funk that cooks as hot as Labelle's "Messin' with My Mind" and "What Can I Do for You," or anything by Van Hunt. Here, Ledisi wails and belts with a kind of power previously untapped -- in recorded form, at least -- all the while maintaining remarkable finesse. "I Need Love," one of the collaborations with Ivan Barias and Carvin Haggins, is another highlight, seductively melancholy over a slick and slippery rhythm, while the title track's bluesy Southern soul backdrop seems just as ideal for Ledisi's voice. Most of the material that is in the vein of the subdued, sophisticated R&B showcased throughout much of Soulsinger and Lost & Found is fine, if sporadically tepid -- something that really comes through when heard with the harder material. Verve Forecast might be a little sheepish about their artist straying from the style that brought them success; on the sticker affixed to the album, the label singles out three songs, none of which break a sweat. They really should help her expose the versatility as much as possible. ~ Andy Kellman, All Music Guide
'It's Christmas'
Release Date 9/23/2008
Tracks 12
Label Verve Forecast
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What The Critics Say
In this new millennium music era, R&B stars are a dime a dozen, where thousands of great singers struggle for a piece of the fame pie. Ledisi, a New Orleans soul singer who has long struggled for fame, proves on her album Lost & Found that she deserves more than just a sliver. Lost & Found is a rare gem from 2007, a complex vocal masterpiece that shimmers and tantalizes with smooth beats, impressive songs, great mixes, and one incredible vocalist; Ledisi shreds this 18-track set and wrecks every single note with her jaw-dropping vocals. Tracks like "In the Morning," shattering ballads of love and so much more, glisten like chocolate-covered strawberries with every listen. The soulful dazzle that makes stars out of singers is heard in every beat, every note, and every word. The album, even at 18 tracks long, never loses its focus; it doesn't rely on the hook of one song to convince the shopper to buy it. It doesn't play up to the R&B hype of its era with computers and guest rappers to entertain the minds of the listeners. It brings listeners back to a time when all you had to do was sing well to garner attention and praise similar to the new queen of neo-soul, Amy Winehouse. Yet Ledisi doesn't simply rely on her vocals; along with the help of Colin Stanbeck, Ledisi, who co-produced Lost & Found as well as being a songwriter of nearly the entire album, doesn't promote a hollow disc like many of the wannabes of this decade. Packed with warming cheers and moving motifs, the album traps listeners with everything that a record possibly could. It's perfect for all sentiments and feelings; for those who feel excited, blue, or even in the mood, Lost & Found appeals to all who are fortunate to get their hands on a copy of it. It's an instant classic that should propel Ledisi to instant stardom, and is without question the only album that could rival Amy Winehouse's Back to Black in the past several years on quality, style, and sheer vocal capability, of which Ledisi has so much to spare. This is the new standard of R&B/soul; let's see who can match up to it now. ~ Matthew Chisling, All Music Guide
'Feeling Orange but Sometimes Blue'
Release Date 1/1/2002
Tracks 11
Label LeSun
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What The Critics Say
Ledisi exhales on the funky opener "Get Outta My Kitchen," pumping mad adrenaline and setting the bar for the next 16 tracks. She confronts incest and domestic violence matter-of-factly on "Papa Loved to Love Me," a tell-all about a father raping his daughter. Cool jazzy flavors (including the catchy "I Wantcha Babe") and sweet floaters ("Take Time" and "In My Life") balance the more dramatic cuts and provide a comfortable plateau for Ledisi's fluid alto. "Coffee" is reminiscent of the '60s/'70s poet-artists Nikki Giovanni and Gil Scott-Heron. Soulsinger has that freshness that makes first albums special. The multi-talented singer co-wrote most of the songs with keyboardist Saundra Manning. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
