New Beginning is the follow up to SWV’s debut cd It’s About Time. New Beginning features the singles You’re The One, Whatcha Need, When This Feeling, and Use Your Heart. This cd has a balance of ballads and dance songs for fans of both types of music.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with SWV, they are Sisters With Voices. They are an r&b group that debuted in the 90’s. Their names are Coko, Taj, and Lee Lee. Coko is the lead singer while Taj and Lee Lee take turns at the microphone.
Coko has a high soprano voice, but she can come down to an alto. Taj and Lee Lee also sing soprano. They all do terrific jobs throughout the cd. I’m glad that Coko took risks on this cd and held powerful notes. They aren’t that long, but they are powerful. She also belts throughout the cd, which adds a nice touch to the songs.
SWV worked with Allan Gordon, Jr., Andrea Martin, Ivan Matias, Erick Sermon, The Neptunes, Brian Morgan, Daryl Simmons, Genard Parker as well as other writers and producers. Coko and Taj wrote a few songs on the cd. I’m glad that the ladies had some control over the cd.
The breakdown
Dance songs
You’re The One has an r&b/hip hop beat. The music is perfect for dancing. The keyboard and drums are on point. Coko’s vocals blend with the music. I like how she sings in time with the beat. I also like how the music slows down a little when the group sings the bridge. I’m not surprised this was the first single because it’s an excellent song. Whatcha Need has an r&b/hip hop beat. I love the thumping beat. The drums really drive the music. The song has a catchy chorus that’s easy to remember. I like how they drag out the title of the song when they sing the chorus. Coko holds little notes towards the end of the song. I have no complaints about this catchy song. On and On (featuring Erick Sermon) has an r&b/hip hop beat. The drum drives the beat. This isn’t that different from other party songs that I hear. The song is good for dancing. Coko sings in her upper register throughout the song. I like how she sings little runs throughout the song. It makes the song stand out. Erick Sermon’s rhymes were good. He didn’t take over the songs so that was a good thing.
It’s All About U has an r&b/funk beat. The music has an old school feel to it. Taj sings most of the lyrics on this song. She has an alto voice in this song. I prefer Coko’s voice, but Taj sounds good. I like how Taj sings in time with the beat. I do think she could have taken risks and held notes or belted, but she didn’t. I’m glad that Coko held notes toward the end of the song. That’s What I’m Here For has an r&b beat mixed with a jazz beat. Coko sings this in her middle register. She sings lower than the music. She’s also a little hard to understand in the verses. I do like the flow of the way she sings the verses. I also like the way they harmonize throughout the song. I enjoy the way they all sing the chorus. They sing it in perfect timing with the music. I could have lived without the rap, but it didn’t hurt the song. Don’t Waste Your Time has an r&b beat. The music is perfect for me to bop my head to. The drums sell the incredible music. Taj sings this in her upper and lower register. I wasn’t disappointed with Taj singing lead on this song because she does a good job with her vocals. They all have amazing harmony in the chorus. My only complaint is that Taj is a little low with the music. Other than that, I have no complaints.
Ballads
Use Your Heart has an r&b beat. The music is beautiful. It doesn’t sound like the other songs that The Neptunes have written for other artists. Coko and Taj sing this with a lot of passion. I love how Coko belts at the end of the song. The song is flawless in my opinion. Fine Time has an r&b beat. The music is catchy. The keyboard and drums drive the music. Coko starts the song softly and then she sings with power. I like how she sings in time with the drumbeat. Everything about this works for me. I have no complaints whatsoever. Love Is So Amazin’ has an r&b beat. The music is pretty. The piano and drums sell the music. I like how the song starts with the chorus so I know how it sounds right away. SWV sing the chorus in their lower registers. Coko sings the verses in a lower octave than she sings. It works for the song. I like how Coko holds notes in the song. She shows so much power towards the end of the song. She takes the listeners to church with this song. My only complaint is that the song is long, but other than that, it’s flawless.
You Are My Love has an r&b beat. I love the music. It sounds like a Babyface song. The keyboard and drums dominate the music. Coko sings the sensual song softly and it works with the music. She does manage to show some power towards the end of the song. Taj and Lee Lee do excellent jobs providing background vocals. This is one of my favorite songs on the cd. I’m So In Love has a smooth r&b beat. The music is soft and sensual. Coko’s vocals are soft and smooth to match the music. I love the tone of her voice in this song. My only complaint is the talking within the song. I don’t care for talking in songs because it’s not necessary in my opinion. Other than the talking, the song is very good. When This Feeling has an r&b beat. The music is really catchy. Even thought the song is a ballad, I can move around to it in my seat or on the dance floor. Coko sings this in her normal pitch as well as a lower pitch. She takes a risk and holds little notes throughout the song that works really well. She also uses her powerful vocals towards the end, which I love. The song is a little long, but it’s really good. What’s It Gonna Be has a smooth r&b beat. The keyboard and drums make the music sound great. Coko sings this song in her lower register. She sings in her upper register towards the end of the song. The two different pitches blend well together in the song. I have no complaints about this song.
In conclusion
SWV’s New Beginning is an excellent r&b cd. Every song is worth listening to. The only filler on the cd are the interludes, but they don’t hurt the cd. I highly recommend it.
My rating
I give this cd 4 ½ stars because the cd is excellent. It loses ½ a star because of the things I mentioned.
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