Res Gets Multiple Personality Disorder On "How I Do"
Written: Jun 17 '02 (Updated Jul 03 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Something for everyone to like.
Cons: I can't find any.
The Bottom Line: Res' How I Do is a must have, don't deprive yourself of this eclectic mix of wonderful music.
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| cletta1201's Full Review: How I Do by Res |
Shortly after India.Arie told us all that she wasn’t the average girl in the video came yet another breath of fresh air in Res (pronounced Reese). Born into the world as Shareese Renee Ballard, Res is a Philadelphia native which leads me to the conclusion that there has GOT to be something in the Philly water because so many talented artists are coming from there (Pink, Boyz II Men, Jill Scott, etc…). Res’ music is a blend of Hip-Hop, R&B, Rock, and some Jazz thrown in for good measure and she pulls of the mix with confidence.
Did You Know???
*Res was originally offered a position in R&B/Soul Group Groove Theory
*Res sang on Wu-Tang Clan member GZA’s album ”Beneath The Surface” as well as on the Talib Kweli and Dj Hi-Tek collaboration album ”Reflection Eternal”
*One of the producers on Res’ album Matin “Doc” McKinney is one half of the group Esthero
*facts courtesy of VH-1.com (http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/res/bio.jhtml)
Track Listing
1. Golden Boys
2. They-Say Vision
3. 700 Mile Situation
4. Ice King
5. Sittin’ Back
6. How I Do
7. If There Ain’t Nothing
8. The Hustler
9. I’ve Known The Garden
10. Let Love
11. Tsunami
*bonus track included entitled: “Say It Anyway”
If you’ve ever heard Res’ voice, chances are it was on the song ”Golden Boy” which was somewhat of a breakout hit. About rejecting media images this first cut is fairly indicative of what you can find on the album. As you listen you can tell that Res definitely is capable of singing and even of blowing you away with her voice but she is in command of her instrument and remains a bit reserved and at times edgy. She knows when to go forward and when to step back.
“Golden Boy” has elements of drum n’ bass and then you skip to 𤓜 Mile Situation” which has Res sounding a bit like Erykah Badu with a reggae twist. 𤃴 Mile Situation” is jazz infused but has genuine roots in neo-soul. That’s what makes Res special and a bit different from her counterparts. For a debut album ”How I Do” is bold, it’s ballsy, it’s cocky and for Res – it really works well.
”Ice King” has an interesting production to it as well. It’s so easy to want to fit Res into a box to make it easier to describe to you but she bridges the gaps between the musical genres so easily that you cant paint her into a corner if u tried. “Ice King” sounds like music you might here from Esthero - a bit trip-hop but mixed with Res’ soulful vocals, it takes on new life. ”Sittin Back” is another standout. Definitely more Hip-Hop than most of the other tracks it manages to still be a funky with the use of some drum programming and keyboard work.
As far as lyrics go, Res co-wrote only 2 of the albums tracks but the way she emotes into these songs you would genuinely think they were hers – that she cried and agonized over them, she’s just that effective. One really interesting tidbit to be found on Res’ album is that two of the tracks: ”How I Do” and ”The Hustler” were produced by A Kid Called Roots. Even funnier is listening to the tracks and recognizing that they sound NOTHING like what you might expect from Memphis Bleek. I’m not really that fond of “How I Do” but “The Hustler” has superb production.
”If There Ain’t Nothing” is my album favorite if for nothing else but simplicity. If you listen closely you can tell that there’s a lot of sound layering, but it comes off as being simple and easy to enjoy. There’s also a really great break in the middle of the song where you get to hear Res flex her chops a little and here elements of her voice that she doesn’t put on display often. ”I’ve Known The Garden” is my runner-up for favorite. ”Bye-bye roses/ I got me hand that’s bittersweet/ But I don’t care/ I’ve known the Garden/ Bye-Bye Roses/ One of these days the gig is up/ Shouldn’t we take the time now/ To show our love”. About relationships and moving forward it’s just another side of the many faces of Res.
Final Thoughts
I dare you to not like Res – it’s just not possible. “How I Do” is a tapestry of some of the most interesting and beautiful music that people aren’t listening to. If you like music in general, the odds are that you’re going to want to have this album. It may take a few listens to get into and appreciate the complexity of the music but once you do, you’ll be glad you did.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Romancing
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cletta1201
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Member: Cletta The Great
Location: Northern Virginia
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