Track Listings (14) - Disc #1| All Artists: Stephen Simmonds Title: Spirit Tales Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label: Priority Records Original Release Date: 9/19/2000 Release Date: 9/19/2000 Album Type: Clean Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B Styles: Southern Rap, Pop Rap, Soul Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPCs: 049925005424, 049925005448 |
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Search - Stephen Simmonds :: Spirit Tales
 | Stephen Simmonds Spirit Tales Genres: Pop, Rap & Hip-Hop, R&B
Born to a Jamaican father and a Swedish mother and raised in Stockholm, singer-songwriter Stephen Simmonds proves on his debut release that he's perfectly at home getting to the heart of the groove. A solid and, for the... more » |
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Amazon.com Born to a Jamaican father and a Swedish mother and raised in Stockholm, singer-songwriter Stephen Simmonds proves on his debut release that he's perfectly at home getting to the heart of the groove. A solid and, for the most part, soulful album, Spirit Tales displays Simmonds's reverence for Stevie Wonder's bittersweet, modulating minor chord swells and love credos--in "Judgment Day," Simmonds even croons "Love is in need of love today," echoing Wonder's classic Songs in the Key of Life opener. The whole affair gets almost too derivative at times, borrowing dollops of Stevie (the hook on "Universe" mirrors "Village Ghetto Land" in the most obvious way), as well as dabs from the Beatles (the piano loop from "One" sounds just like the intro on "Let It Be") and smidgens from D'Angelo (the syncopated "If I Was Your Man," though it makes sense since the ubiquitous Raphael Saadiq co-wrote it). But ultimately, Simmonds pulls through and comes across as a passionate, driven performer who will, hopefully, find his own style in albums to come. --Sylvia W. Chan Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsIt's about time He's made it to these shores!!!! Jetrocket | New York, NY United States | 09/22/2000 (4 out of 5 stars) "This is the 3rd incarnation of a beautiful debut record which was first released in Europe in late 1997. It is actually a testament to the power of this work that it still retains a freshness that may take USers by surprise. The US edition has been beefed up with two additional tracks. The first track "I Can't Do That" is a two-step/Rodney Jerkins type-song about a demanding lover; however I think the Masters at Work remix which is currently making club rounds would have been a better addition to the cd. "If I was your Man" is the 2nd "bonus track" and is co-written with ex-Toni,Tony,Tone Rafael Sadiq. It has been added to appeal to US r&b tastes. In comparison to the original suite of songs (which are all here) the additional songs are just ok, as they lack the sincerity which is the real hallmark of "Spirit Tales". At the heart, "Spirit Tales" is a singer-songwriter album, aptly showcasing Mr. Simmonds' talents and sensitivity. There are many compelling songs to draw you into his world like "Alone" which is a beautifully-moody track with a chorus that gushes over like balm to a love sick soul. "Tears Never Dry" is a sweeping piece of cinematic soul plaintively sung, and textured with a rich bass,lush strings and haunting female vocals. "Now's the Time" is a more optimistic jazzy-pop track urging us to "live for love/love's the only way." As a whole "Spirit Tales" is a moving, individualistic pop-soul work that brings to mind the eclecticism of mid 70's Stevie Wonder(compare it to "Talking Book"). The tracking of the US version and the addition of two new songs may not serve the overall integrity of the album -- but listen to it with the random button on your cd and have a fine ride. Stephen Simmonds is a talent to watch out for. As a debut effort I recommend this cd highly." Absolutely fabulous. Torquemada | Atlanta, Georgia USA / Madrid, Spain. | 12/18/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "Two years after being released only in some parts of Europe, this cd is now available to everyone in the world, and it is really good news. Compared to the European release, there are a couple of extra tracks and the front sleeve is, to my opinion, much better. Now to the music : it is a fine blend of lyricism ("tears never dry" and it's spectacular chorus, the very Parisian "Let it go"), pure soul ("Searchin", "4U", "Alone") and more upbeat tunes ("now's the time", or the Rashaan Patterson like "Get down"). This is an album you have to listen to SEVERAL TIMES before REALLY getting to like it, probably because of three things : 1/ Some arrangements are a bit unusual (you'll hear powerful strings you don't normally hear on other records in this genre, a strong presence of piano on several tracks, arabic/oriental instuments on "Universe"), but they work great and give a different touch to the sound. 2/ A false mid tempo you'll find on many tracks. This makes you think at first the whole record sounds the same, but all the tracks have their own flow and power. 3/ The tracks chosen by the company to promote the record aren't the right ones for promo...If you like artists such as Maxwell, Ephraim Lewis, Rashaan Patterson, or Frank McComb, or in other words, artists that bring something different to music for the new millenium, you shouldn't be disappointed with this one. To me, one of the albums of the year..." Awesome Album dtanman | Chicago, IL United States | 10/21/2000 (5 out of 5 stars) "If you are looking for a some great music, go no further. Stephen Simmonds is awesome. I heard Stephen Simmmond's album back in Europe in 1998 when his "Get Down" single was released. It even got some radio playback in Asia where I was working. A great track with great hooks. That got me hooked. Got the rest of the European album, and have been happy everytime I put it in the car cd. I surely thought that EMI would have him release in the US urban market, but 2 long years later, I see that he is here. It is great to find that Priority Records has worked hard to release this gem of an album. His album is definitely due for some great exposure in the USA as he belongs in this scene. If you like D'angelo, Maxwell, and others in the new R&B/Soul category, you have to try this album out. From back to front, on shuffle or straight through, this CD will not disappoint."
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