Plesant and different
Estelle's hit "American Boy" received lots of airplay and, though everyone may not be fond of the song, they should appreciate the fact that it is much different and more experimental than most of the other music on the radio today. Upon first listen, I regarded it as an okay song. However, the more I heard it, the more I appreciated the craft within it. Adding Kanye West to the track was a genius move on Estelle's part because he has made a name for himself and most know that he is partly responsible for the success of the phenomenal John Legend. Because of that, Estelle will probably receive more recognition for the simple fact that she is affiliated with them both.

As the tracks from this album played, I realized that Estelle sounds like a mixture of Floetry, Chrisette Michelle and Corrine Bailey Rae. That's not a surprise because Floetry and Rae, like Estelle, are from the United Kingdom. Estelle has a very appealing singing voice. She uses a few handfuls of profanity, does her share of rapping, and is very experimental, but I enjoyed all of that. The vast majority of these numbers range from mid-tempo to up-tempo so ballad-lovers beware. "Back in Love" and "Come Over" are two mid-tempo cuts and they are definitely two of the best songs on this album. Her harmonies are really nice and the lyrics are good, too. "Pretty Please" is nice as well. It has a 70s feel and that's always nice to hear.
I had a good time with this album.

I highly recommend it to R&B music lovers and those that enjoy that UK sound a la Floetry and Corrine Bailey Rae. Estelle should be applauded for a job well done. I predict that she will has a successful career!

Mikeisha's Top 5

1. "American Boy"
2. "Come Over"
3. "You Are"
4. "Shine"
5. "Magnificent"

Estelle Shines
She had a hit called "1980" a few years back but I dismissed her as a one hit wonder and to be honest I wasn't blown away by her raps. When I heard she was working with John Legend I decided to sample it at the music store and realised that I had been completely wrong about her, she is a singer who raps not the other way around. More than that is that she has a beautiful voice.

When I heard the George Michael sample on "No Substitute Love" it was over, I had to get the album. The album is so nostalgic to me, I don't know if it is the samples e.g. Bob Marley on "So Much Out The Way" or it is the fact that she reminds me so much of Lauryn Hill.

The multitasking (rapping, writing & singing), the eclectic sounds (Reggae, Rock & Hip-hop influences) certainly justify comparisons to Lauryn Hill. But Estelle is her own woman. Her songs are not as heavy and are meant to be enjoyed without being taken too seriously.

The production on the album is top notch, not surprisingly given names like Will.I.Am, John Legend, Swiss Beatz & Mark Ronson. A criticism that might be levelled at the production is the over abundant use of samples but as stated earlier it adds to the nostalgia.

Overall the album is definitely a winner, the revolution of British soulstresses is in full swing. Estelle has something that the others ( Amy Winehouse, Duffy, Adele, Joss Stone etc.) do not have and that is a street sensibility and a light-heartedness.

Noteworthy tracks include the ballad "Come Over", "No Substitute Love" & the duet with Cee-Lo "Pretty Please", which sounds like a duet between Diana Ross & Aretha Franklin (Cee-Lo playing Aretha).

NEW FAV!
This is one of the best cd's I've bought in a long time. I can honestly say that I love every song on the cd. Don't hesitate to pick up a copy...you won't be disappointed.

Great & unexpected
This product was great and I must say that I was a little surprised because I was expecting it to be good but it turned out better.

THIS CD SIMPLY SHINES
I LOVE THIS CD, EVERY SONG, I BELIEVE WILL BE A HIT. THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF OLD SCHOOL FLAVOR THAT I ENJOY.