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Ryan Leslie - Rescue U (Right-Click & Save)The bonus track from Ryan Leslie’s latest album Transition “Rescue U” caught my ears over the past couple of days as I gave Ryan’s album another couple of spins to try and see if I might have jumped to quick with my earlier reviews of his latest body of work.
“Rescue U” comes off as a smooth jazzy mix of swirling synths and sweet undertones that gives the song an almost 90′s feel. It feels like a remix of say, an earlier Toni Braxton/Sade mix maybe, as if someone did a cover/reworking of some of their songs. Sure, it could easily be Muzak or elevator music, but it’s a smoothed over R&B creation that just sits well with you.
On his latest album, I’m going to go ahead and say that you have to be in a certain place mentally to listen to Ryan. It’s not that the music he makes is bad — it’s just that there’s not much variation in his vocals or production palette to really make you pay close attention. If you let it play in the background though, you see that indeed he has a niche and lane he knows how to stay in it.
What do ya’ll think? Transition is in stores now.
Related posts:
- Music Video: Ryan Leslie – “You’re Not My Girl”
- Album Covers: Leona Lewis’ “Echo” & Ryan Leslie’s “Transition”
- Classic Flashback: Nikka Costa – “Like A Feather”
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November 18, 2009 killing myself softly
I’m glad I didn’t pay the extra money for this track (which was on the limited edition cd), because I don’t think it would have been worth it.
I bought the new album, I also have the last one. I agree that you have to be in a certain mindframe to listen to his music.
On this new one I love “You’re Not My Girl”, “I Choose You”, “Sunday Night” and “Something That I Like”.
November 18, 2009 twizzle
I skimmed over the new album. It’s not horrible . . . It just OOZES mediocrity, though.
Humpty Hump is definitely a talented producer. But these tracks belong on the albums of other artists. When they’re presented together as a single package, I agree with IPS—there’s just not enough variation to keep you interested.
Humpty and Sean Garrett need to have a sit-down with Rodney Jerkins about the joys of making beautiful music for other artists, while picking up a fat paycheck. These forays into the world of performing are just tarnishing their brand.
November 18, 2009 john Anderson
i thought the first album released in February was better than this one. I agree with everyone tho, he needs some variation.
November 18, 2009 SororSalsa
I have the first CD, and skimmed thru this one. “You’re Not My Girl” and “Zodiac” are the ones I listen to regularly. Ryan’s music is cool, but just extra average and way too samey most of the time. My favorite track of his is a song called “Can’t Wait” (feat. Jovan Dais)…uses a sample of Give Me Your Love, but it’s a cool vibe and musically pretty different from most of his stuff. Makes you wonder why he never released something like that.
November 19, 2009 Smooth007
I’m always a sucker for 90′s R&B throwback. I think this song leaked earlier in the year too.
January 6, 2010 El
This is actually one of my favorite joints by him. It does have a 90′s groove flavor to it. That’s why I like it. The 90′s had the best music anyway. This joint is about 2 or 3 years old though. Was playing it all fall in ’08.