MUSIC REVIEW: Leslie's Album is solid and fun
Friday, July 31, 2009
Photo courtesy of Ryanleslie.comBy: Gregory Brand, Jr.
Entertainment Editor
SOTG Magazine
Ryan Leslie
Rating 4.5 out of 5
Singer/producer Ryan Leslie has dropped one of this year's smartest and most entertaining albums and most music fans don't even know his name-yet.
Leslie's self-titled album is an eclectic mix of smooth balladry and clever tongue and cheek flirtation that is enough to fill dancefloors and blare out of almost every car's speakers.
An affilitate of Diddy's Bad Boy camp, Ryan Leslie features much of the trademark crisp production and modern songwriting that is associated with the famous label. Leslie himself takes it a step further by making music that sounds very spur-of-the-moment and honest under his own Next Selection imprint.
The works comes off as fun and it is the honesty that makes them appealing.
Having garnered attention for the breakout radio singles, "Diamond Girl"and the Fabolous and Cassie featured, "Addicted," Leslie is already catching the ears and attention of many clubgoers. A deeper look into the album shows that he has a little more to offer as well.
In only 12 tracks, Leslie is able to cover a bevy of topics dealing with living, loving, ladies and getting a little action.
His sound is original, mixing in elements of old school soul and contemporary R&B but the work also ties in elements of hip-hop and pop sensibilities.
The wordplay on the quirky and honest track "You're Fly" and the driving charmer, "Quicksand" are clear examples of Leslie's bubbling talent because they are representative of his stylish delivery and atypical artistic angle.
The album reaches farther than the typical modern R&B record by doing some things that nobody does anymore-take chances. While the album sticks to the genre format, there is also plenty of experimentation on the album as well. This willingness to take a little risk, shine brightly on the clever track "Gibberish."
"Gibberish" gives Leslie an opportunity to show his clever vicoder-laced vocals and musicianship without uttering more than a few real words the entire song.
Though Ryan Leslie comes in with what seems like a short playlist, much is accomplished in the slim 12 tracks.
Bottom Line: Had the artist given a little more to listeners we could have a solid innovative classic on our hands instead of a short EP style glimpse into the mind of an actual artist.
Gregory Brand, Jr.