Estelle - Shine (CD 2008)

The debut album from British R&B ingénue Estelle (the first artist signed to John Legend's Homeschool label) is delightfully difficult to pigeonhole. The effervescent single "American Boy" harks back to party-hearty, Chic-era disco, while other tracks ("More than Friends," "Back in Love") showcase Estelle's rich, emotional voice. "Pretty Please Love Me" (featuring Cee-Lo) is a slice of classic Philly soul, while reggae-tinged songs like "Magnificent" suggest Rihanna's wiser older sister. Most remarkable is how Estelle's lady-like moxie shines through on every track, providing consistency and announcing a major new R&B talent.

Bringing a unique blend of hip-hop, pop, reggae and soul, singer/ songwriter/producer/ rapper, estelle is set to release her new album "shine". Tracks include "magnificent", a booming dancehall party jam produced by mark ronson featuring kardinal offishall, "wait a minute (just a touch)" featuring will.i.am. And the funk-infused first single "american boy". Featuring collaborations with kanye west, swizz beatz, wyclef jean, will.i.am, mark ronson and cee-lo & jack splash, "shine" was executively produced by john legend. Named as one of rolling stones 'top 10 artists to watch for 2008'.

"This West London homegirl's perspective is etched in her husky singing, fleet-tongued rapping and wised-up lyrics."

Estelle is an artist who radiates and exudes all she has absorbed in love and life. The lady intersperses old school soul, hip hop, reggae and neo soul all over this beatiful "lover's meeting" of a CD. This "meeting" seems to be for me the first of many incounters to come with Estelle. My favourite for tonight is "come over". This one is an absolute must for all those collectors of fine wines and precious gems for the woman that bares it all before you belongs to be cherished amongst them.

Category: Rock/Pop, R&B, Rap, Dance, Rock
Label: Atlantic
Orig Y:ear 2008
Discs: 1
Release Date; Apr 29, 2008
Studio/Live: Studio
Mono/Stereo: Stereo
Personnel: Kanye West, John Legend, Kanye West, Cee-Lo, Kardinal Offishall

Tracks:
1. Wait a Minute (Just a Touch)
2. No Substitute Love
3. American Boy - (featuring Kanye West)
4. More Than Friends
5. Magnificent - (featuring Kardinal Offishall)
6. Come Over
7. So Much Out the Way
8. In the Rain
9. Back in Love
10. You Are - (featuring John Legend)
11. Pretty Please (Love Me) - (featuring Cee-Lo)
12. Shine