Chicago '85... The Movie
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
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| Label: |
Dreamworks |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: Dave Hollister is back. And he's still keeping it ghetto, even after his somewhat disappointing debut,
Ghetto Hymns. On this 14-track effort he easily eludes the sophomore jinx, fulfilling more of his potential than he did on his first album. He enlisted the help of everyone from Puffy hitman Chucky Thompson to Tim, Bob, and Vidal Davis, so this record is smooth midtempo R&B that walks the line between R. Kelly and Gerald Levert. The bass- and snare-heavy "You Can't Say" and the warm ballad "We've Come Too Far" capture the soul of classic R&B, but enrich it with the razor-sharp edge of hip-hop. You could say it's neo-soul for radio worshipers. But Hollister isn't just going for the status quo: he keeps it gangster on the piano- and synth-heavy "Don't Take My Girl Away," another of his many odes to Baby Mama Drama. He also goes for that Luther Vandross-feel on the piano- and bell-embellished "Destiny." This is a movie you shouldn't miss.
--Kenji Jasper
Tracklist of Chicago '85... The Movie
Reviews:
'''''''Brought the Heat with this Movie"""
You so bad Dave did God bless you with a voice or what 5 Fatt stars from me..listed to this cd again after the video was shown on vh_1(Soul videos) recently, I bought this CD when it first came out..wore it outt..still sounds just as good or better to me standout tracks to me are. (#9 Destiny) a MASTERPIECE..You kill this song (#3 TAKE CARE OF HOME).. nice lyrics/ superb orchestration & live instruments..LUV ITT.. (#5 WE'VE COME TOO FAR). ALL Producer penned track's by Tim & Bob who brt us Sisqo's Thong Song...Tamia's So Into You /Jon B's They Don't Know..brother's are Badd..also like Mike City's One Woman Man..all the tracks are great..all i can say is this cd to me is still HOTT& on Fire waiting for your nxt CD..to me this is your best CD ..A fan for life..
Dr.. Jeckyll and Mr. Hollister
I am a certified shrink and I have never seen a CD as schizophrenic as this one. I listened to it when it first came out and recently revisted it. I was wondering what it was about it that made me have reservations about fully endorsing it. After a more careful examination, it became abundantly clear. This film has a terrifically strong finish. Right now it is NFL season and the layout of this CD is such that Mr. Hollister is has 1 a 5 record or is losing a game 7 to 35 at the first half, take your pick. However you slice it, he is not winning. During the first few songs, the sour notes abound to such a degree that the artist's vocal skills could come into question. Even in attempting to use it as comic relief, the tunes are more sad than humorous. Suprisingly, he does a complete turnaround on tracks 6 and beyond. Suddenly the second half of the CD is thought provoking with real inner city soap opera story lines put forth with nicely harmoniziing back up vocals and habit forming hooks. When Dave Hollister hits his stride, he has a unique tenor voice that rivals Gerald Levert, and my favorites Kenny Lattimore and Eric Benet. Subsequent releases have proven that Hollister has longevity, but an early glimpse of him during the first half of this CD proves that a talent must be handled carefully otherwise it can all go wrong. Years ago, people use to cite artist such as Luther Vandross and Jeffrey Osborne as never making a song, let alone an album, that their fans did not like. While Dave Hollister appears to have missed his opportunity to have a record with no blemishes, he has gotten on track now and has great potential.
