Des'ree
Reviewed on this page:
Mind Adventures - I Ain't Movin' -
Supernatural - Dream Soldier
Des'ree is a young British R&B singer who works hard to create a gentle,
uplifting mood - tempering drum machine rhythms with soft keyboards or
acoustic guitars, and singing earnest songs with catchy, engaging
choruses. It's a simple formula but an effective one, and her warm,
sincere-sounding voice (something like Tracy
Chapman's but more flexible and about an octave higher) really puts
it over. She has three records out, and unless you're too cynical to
appreciate the relentless cheer-in-the-face-of-adversity vibe, you
should get a lot out of any of them. (DBW)
Jesus, this woman really can sing - check out her guest spot on Steve Winwood's latest record.
(JA)
 Mind Adventures (1992)
A consistently impressive debut: she wrote every tune here, and proves
herself adept in a range of styles and moods. Soft, smile-inducing dance
tracks are her bread and butter (title track, "Competitive World," "Sun
Of '79"), but the string-backed ballad "Why Should I Love You," the
gospel-inflected "Save Me," and especially the sad but hopeful love song
"Laughter" are even more effective. The lyrics are never
clichés and almost always thoughtful; the slice of family
life "Momma Please Don't Cry" is a standout. Phil Legg produced
two-thirds of the disc including all the best tracks, Ashley Ingram
produced two more, and Femi produced "Sun of '79," but throughout,
executive producer Des'ree is clearly in the driver's seat. Legg and
Ingram play most of the instruments, with help from a dozen people I've
never heard of. Nothing on the disc screams "Hit!" as loud as the
singles from her follow-up, but her talent seems fully developed, and
every track works - start here. (DBW)
 I Ain't Movin' (1994)
Des'ree's sophomore release relies on the same laid-back
traditional-yet-modern approach (several tracks like "Crazy Maze" even
feature live drums). It works like a dream on the memorable "You Gotta
Be" and the title track, both successful singles produced by Ashley
Ingram and Des'ree, and several others are almost as good. Some tracks
produced by Family Stand members V.
Jeffrey Smith and Peter Lord Moreland are a tad gimmicky ("Strong
Enough"), but since Des'ree co-wrote every track, things never get too
far from her positive, unpretentious focus. Ingram plays most of the
instruments on his tracks; other musicians include Tracy Wormworth
(bass), T-Bone Wolk (guitar), Prince Sampson (guitar), Rocky Bryant
(drums) and Jimmy Haynes (producer, co-writer of several tunes).
(DBW)
Supernatural (1998)
The formula's showing its limitations here: the rhythms are starting to
sound familiar ("God Only Knows"), there's no melody as memorable as
"You Gotta Be," and her feel-good lyrics sometimes slip over the line
into triviality ("Life," with its one-word chorus). Still, when it
works, as on the jaunty opening "What's Your Sign?" or the devastating,
spare "I'm Kissing You" (from the film Romeo & Juliet), it's
magnificent, and even the lesser compositions (nearly all by her in
collaboration with producers Tim Atack, Ingram, Sampson, and Brock
Pocket) benefit from her glorious vocals (on "Best Days" she sails up
high into Diana Ross territory). Also, the
strings on most tunes add variety and interest ("Indigo Daisies";
strings on "Time" arranged by Paul Buckmaster).
Babyface produced and sang on the set's one
cover, a duet remake of the Pointer
Sisters' hit "Fire," that's so mellow it barely smolders. (DBW)
Endangered Species (2000)
A greatest hits compilation with a few new songs and live recordings. (DBW)
 Dream Soldier (2003)
It's time for Critical Cliché #407: "won't win her any converts but solidly satisfying
for her existing fans." Des'ree's still working the same schtick: soothing melodies at
lullaby tempos with mostly programmed backing and lovely but reserved vocals.
There's some offbeat instrumentation - banjo on "Why?"; flute on
"Nothing To Lose"; bagpipes on "Righteous Night" - but it's never integral to the track,
the musical equivalent of appliqué. And her up-with-people lyrics are getting fuzzier
("Human," "Doesn't Matter"). But none of that matters when she gets hold of a good tune ("It's
Okay," "Human"), and even at its weakest the album has a sincere feel, nice touches (the
string arrangement on "Something Special") and a consistent tone.
Produced by Jonathan Quamby, Kevin Bacon (not the actor) and Des'ree.
(DBW)
What's your sign?.
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