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NATIVE SETS STANDARDS FOR FRENCH R&B

KATHELINE ST FORT | Margate, Florida | 01/27/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was so taken with with LES NUBIANS' album PRINCESSES NUBIENNES, that I became obsessed with R&B hip/hop beats set to French lyrics. And since I figured that it would be some time before LES NUBIANS would be in the studio for another album, I'd thought I'd try to satisfy my hunger with other Nubians-like groups, and thanks to the recommendation of another reviewer, I bought the NATIVE's first album. The album, co-produced by Fred Versailles, is fantastic. I say 'fantastic' because I am convinced that linguists have yet to come up with a word to describe it, so 'fantastic' will have to do---for now. "L'air du Vent" the French version of 'COLORS OF THE WIND'from the POCAHONTAS soundtrack is worth multiple listenings, as does "POUSSIERES D'ETOILES", a track so outstanding, it will claim the breath out of you. The song is so gorgeous---with Laura Mayne's sensuous chanting, desperate purrs, etc., Another worthwhile song is LES YEUX DE VELOURS---; and check out the remake of Prince's SOMETIMES IT SNOWS IN APRIL---the only English song on the track. One has to listen carefully to notice that fact; Laura's voice is so silky, it seems as if she's still singing in French. The sister-group writes or co-writes their own songs, and in some cases even co-produce. Their music is indescribable. Not to take anything away from them, but if Les Nubians is receiving major props now, it's because NATIVE asphalted the sidewalk."