Comments for Stansfield, Lisa, Lisa Stansfield

FINALLY!!!!!!!!! SHE''S BACK!!!!!! Just when the music scene in the States was wallowing in mediocrity, Lisa Stansfield came with something that has been lacking: Soul. The two strongest songs on her new self-titled album have to be the Barry White cover of "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up" and her first single, "The Real Thing." Both remind us why Lisa is one of the best things to come from Britain in a long time. Here''s to a great album!

Lisa`s fourth album is most definitely a triumph. Though not released in the States as of yet, it is worth seeking out. "Never Gonna Fall" and "The Real Thing" sound a tad too much like material from her debut release, but are still enjoyable thanks to those silky, flawless vocals. And on the rest of the album she bravely -and successfully- branches out. "I`m Leavin" and "Honest" are smooth ballads, while "The Line" brings out a brand of funk completely new to Lisa. "I Cried My Last Tear Last Night" finds Lisa in a breezy hip-hop style, and "Footsteps" uncovers a mellow, acoustic side of this fine vocalist (a nice switch from the drum machines and heavy brass, at least for one tune). But the gem of the disc is her cover of Barry White`s "Never, Never Gonna Give You Up." Slick production and classic Stansfield vocals make this song a winner. But then, the same can be said of the whole album. Here`s to hoping Arista releases this disc in the States SOON so Lisa can get all the success she deserves!