Title - 'The Real Thing' (Concord)
Artist - Vanessa Williams
Four years after her last album, "Everlasting Love", Vanessa had to figure everything out as she tried to reconnect her own fans. The result? She went back to the drawing board, and create her sound that call s it her own. This album is a perfect mixture of R&B/Soul, Quiet Storm, Smooth Jazz, Salsa & Standards.
This album is dedicated to her late father, Milton Williams, a high-school music teacher who have taught Vanessa through her years in school; Milton's favorite singer happens to be Bill Withers, for whom his song "Hello Like Before" is specially written for Vanessa.
Vanessa recorded 11 songs for her album between her summer breaks from her show, "Ugly Betty", and her first single, "Breathless", sounds quite like the love theme for Wilhelmina Slater, the character she plays on her show. She also did two more videos from her album, "Just Friends", & "Close to You". Other stand-out tracks include The Salsa-flavored title track, "Loving You", and "Coming on Strong". The latter 2 songs makes you feel like you're in New Orleans.
Personally, my favorite song off her album is "I Fell In", Which does have a strong making of a #1 Smash hit for Vanessa. I was moved by the song's lyrics, and this happens to be a life-changing song for the people who happens to walk down the same road like everybody else, and this song happens to carry a message of hope in a period of uncertainity of what's happening now.
Vanessa's new album really does put the vibe into this vibracious, extremely beautiful Sex Goddess. Put this in your i-Pod and enjoy The music. [TG]