Mica Paris Albums (6)
'If You Could Love Me'
Release Date 5/10/2005
Tracks 10
Label Wounded Bird
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Britisher Mica Paris is the most exciting female vocalist to come along in some time. She hasn't exploded due to the uncertainty and unpredictable nature of the music business. This CD is arguably more satisfying than her stunning debut, So Good. My two favorites were co-written by Paris, "Positivity" and "Can't Seem to Make Up My Mind." The productions are divided between Narada Michael Walden and Rod Temperton; Jon Lind produced "Whisper a Prayer," and Paris herself produced "I Bless the Day." Her original version of "You Put a Move on My Heart" sounds better than Tamia's version off Quincy Jones' Jook Joint CD. She delivers these songs in her smooth, jazz- and blues-influenced, intense but relaxed style. She has a voice the ears never tired of, and her signature moans will have you writhing in your seat. Unlike her first LP, which scored a minor R&B hit with "My Temptation," none of these excellent songs made much of an impact. ~ Andrew Hamilton, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Mica Paris progressed considerably with her second album, Contribution, obviously benefitting from stronger production and better material overall. While hip-hop and house elements assert themselves more, Paris' vocals were still in a traditional R&B vein. This neo-soul approach -- hip, up-to-date production combined with down-home, earthy soul singing -- almost put Paris on an artistic level with fellow British neo-soul divas Lisa Stansfield and Caron Wheeler. Paris' singing is generally more confident and assured than before, and she soars on everything from the imaginative "South of the River" to a haunting Prince song ("If I Love U 2 Nite") to an unapologetically sentimental remake of Smokey Robinson & the Miracles' "More Love." Like "Where Is the Love" from So Good, this '60s Motown classic tests what Paris is truly made of -- and makes it clear that she's striving for depth and substance, not superficiality. Rapper Rakim of Erik B. & Rakim is featured on the title song, and the driving "Just to Be with You" was produced by Mantronik (one of rap's unsung heroes). Ironically, higher quality didn't mean higher sales for Paris -- Contribution didn't do as well as So Good. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
A gospel-influenced soul/pop singer with a fine range and a quality not unlike Natalie Cole, Mica Paris is among the many noteworthy talents to come out of Britain's healthy R&B scene of the 1980s and '90s. Though not a remarkable effort, her debut album, So Good, was a respectable and decent one indicating that she had much potential. Among the CD's more noteworthy cuts are the haunting "My One Temptation," the jazz-influenced "Sway (Dance the Blues Away)" and the sizzling "Nothing Hits Your Heart like Soul Music" (which also seems like a statement of purpose, and points to Paris' devotion to more traditional R&B elements). Perhaps the song that does the most to test what Paris is truly made of is "Where Is the Love" -- forming a duet with Will Downing for this remake of the Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway classic, the earthy singer makes it crystal clear that she's quite capable of depth. For Paris, the best was yet to come. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
