Ryan Leslie - Transition (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

Ryan Leslie - Transition

------------- | The World | 11/04/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Well he we are, nine months after the extremely versatile and talented Mr. Ryan Leslie dropped his long awaited debut album in Feb. of 09, and its now November of 09 and hes already delivered his sophomore set, Transition. And while Transition does have a bit of the "Rushed" vibe, it still doubles as a solid follow up to a great debut album, from this longtime R&B producer turned singer/songwriter. The best thing about Transition, compared to his last album is that it sounds a lot more focused. And its kind of ironic how his near classic debut album took approximately four years to record and finally release, and now his sophomore album only took Nine months to record and release with no pushbacks. Thats the definition of being efficient. While Leslies voice isnt grade A, he still knows how to use it effectively without coming off as corny or fake... most of the time anyways. Like on the extremely corny and just flat out embarrassing "Zodiac" and the miserable attempt at a babymaker "All My Love". But most of the time on the album, Leslie's futuristic and sparse production is able to carry the music despite his lackluster vocals in certain areas of the album. Like on the very Neptunish sounding "Something That I Like", Ryan kills the track with his slick flows over a beat that sounds like it could have been pulled right off of Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury album. And "Never Gonna Break Up" has a very dreamy mid tempo beat, complete with Ryan Leslie's signature crooning style of singing, but again its the production that truly shines on this track. But on "Guardian Angel" its Leslie's vocals that shine on the track instead of the beat, even though the beat is pretty good too, its a track that Ryan Leslie actually sounds 100% convincing with his vocals on the track. And on the very futuristic sounding "Sunday Night" Ryan shows us why he is a very in demand producer, despite the song having some weak lyrics. But in order for this album to be truly worth the purchase, go to Best Buy to buy the album because they have a limited edition of the album that has three great bonus tracks, and a honestly kind of lame DVD. But the three bonus tracks are all worth the extra 2 dollars. One of those bonus cuts is the mid tempo ballad "Promise Not 2 Call" which has become one of Ryan Leslies infamous youtube videos, where he produces and records a song while video taping the whole process. If you havent seen that video, youtube it, cuz it's pretty cool. And the very contemporary sounding "Rescue U" is another standout track on the album. But overall, Transition isnt quite as good as his self titled debut album, but it serves as a really solid follow up album. It's nothing truly amazing, but its solid considering how short of a time frame he had to make the album.

Grade:

B-"

The Best in the Game - Period

A. Thermidor | 11/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The album is GOOD - This is feel good music - NO Profanity, just clean feel good music - Get this album!!! Buy 2!! One for you and give a gift to a friend - If you love the music - buy it, support it, support Ryan Leslie - The industry is messed up, support the good stuff - Lets make it #1!"

Phenominal and Talented Ryan Leslie at it AGAIN!

T. R. | USA | 11/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What can I say? The world is just NOT ready for this musical genius who goes hard at making his music solid, original and unique. I have been a fan since day one when I heard "Addiction" on the radio following "Diamond Girl". Then, I was too outdone when I learned he produced Cassie's "Me & You", Cherri Dennis's hit "I Love You". Finally, he put out his first self-titled album "Ryan Leslie" that should've went platinum. There were some major hits on that album that I am very upset as a fan didn't get the recognition it desereved. But, the world just wasn't ready! Now, my fav underated artist/producer is back with his second album "Transition" and I must say it is a transition from his first one. On this album Ryan is more laid back and taking things slow. I am in love with the infectious "Sunday Night". I am also glad he put awesome "Resuce You" (which is only on the bonus CD). "Your Not My Girl" is a funky moderate track that takes you back to the ol'skool."Zodiac" is another groovy track. Overall, this album it totally different than the first one. But, as a loyal fan I'm gonna say get the album anyway and support this talented man! Next Selection!"

Neyo, Chris, Mr Legend take note!

C. Perkins | Harrow, London | 12/09/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"By R.Les's standards this is a sub-standard album. His first outing was almost perfect....I mean, remove the mess that was the out of place track with some girl called Cassie and everything else is "Just Right". How can he ever top Gibberish? Impossible? Even Prince doesn't write songs as clever as that and he might be the greatest songwriter of all time. Anyway, he definitely sings more like John Legend or Omar than Prince, but his songs have more substance than Legend's.

So to a review of R Les's Transition. It kicks-off with a Ryan Leslie trademark sounding track that feels like it could easily have been written for the first album - "Never Gonna Break-Up". Sometimes this guy is too smooth with his lyrics. It's a nice antidote to the souless "have a baby by me, be a rich hoe" nonsense that these so-called songwriters just out of nappies are vomiting-up these days.

"Something That I Like" is a nice sounding groove with the Neyo/ Chris Brown sounds and effects, but without the pop/ dance commercial writing style that the other guys seem to spit out like they forgot their roots.

"Zodiac" is something most people not into Minneapolis P-Funk won't understand. On this track he must have swallowed a dose of 1980s Prince, Jesse Johnson & The Time. This is such authentic sounding Minneapolis Funk that it could easily have been lifted from any Morris Day and The Time album. This is what puts him alongside Pharrell and way ahead of Neyo, Brown & Legend......the guy knows black music beyond the restrictions of Michael Jackson, Mowtown & Stax. He takes everything that's good from the old and new and mixes it together.

"Is It Real Love" is pleasant enough. Sometime the disjointed beat irritates, but it will do.

"Sunday Night" is where the album gets hot. I'm feeling this one. It describes exactly how I spend many weekends. Go R.Les....this one has a serious bass line and drum pattern.

"You're Not My Girl" is the stand-out track on this album. This could be a classic groove (the Gibberish of this album). Some great melodies, nice upbeat tempo, great bassline and chord progression. It reminds me of Terry Lewis & Jimmy Jam penned stuff from the 80s & 90s, with more up to date sounds and vocals that weren't meant to be on a groove like this, which adds a nice level of danger. In an interview with Chris Rock, Prince once said something like his best songs were the ones that had a bit of humour in them ("If I Was Your Girlfriend" springs to mind). Well if you listen to the lyrics in this track you've gotta laugh.......at the very least (if you're a guy who's been there) you'll smile. At the end of the day, this is a nice, clean song about a dirty hoe, which makes it even more hilarious!

Ironically "To The Top" is where the album goes downhill. This could have been a great song. Nice melody and vocals. But Ryan, who on earth is gonna be able to dance to a song with as disjointed a drum pattern as this. Sort it out on the remix mate (stop listening to Missy Elliot)!

"Nothin'" is.......well why oh why did he bother. When he bothered he should have sold the track to T-Pain, Britney, Sting (for the white-reggae/ Jafake-an sound underlying) or George Michael. Weak pop rubbish and probably the worst thing I've ever heard from him.....oh yes, there was that song with Cassie!

With "Guardian Angel" because it's a love song I will always compare it with "Gibberish". It's ok but nothing special. Not good enough for the first album.

The intro and chorus of "All My Love" sounds like our UK soul king Omar, who must have inspired Legend and Leslie. It's very much an album filler to enjoy in the privacy of your living room or bedroom. Again, not good enough for the first album.

"I Choose You" reminds me of what lets down most American R&B artists. They make a great album then feel the need to end it with a wishy-washy, weak, unchallenging song that could have been written for the last scene of an episode of Fame. Yes, he wrote this one for the Kids from Fame - Kci & JoJo used to do it all the time, even when they re-released their first Jodeci album and added the song "Cherish" which was a cover of a very weak Partidge Family song. Come on Ryan, you can do better than this.

But wait, bonus tracks:

All three tracks are good. "Rescue U" has a very contemporary sound by R.Les's standards. It could be big in the clubs with the right remix.

All in all this album is not as strong as the first album, but far better than the rubbish that other R&B artists are releasing these days. It would be interesting to see what would happen if Ryan worked with someone like Prince, Teddy Riley, Babyface or Pharrell. He's in their league and is the remedy to all the boring vocoder driven, Timbaland/ T-Pain/ Black-Eyed fake R&B that is being mass-produced these days. Ryan can write, sing and play. Hopefully the next album will be closer to the consistency of the first album. However, there's something here for everyone who likes soul & funk.

Transition [CD/DVD Combo]"

A Very Solid Album From Mr. Leslie

R. Gentles | 11/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"You can't go wrong with Ryan Leslie. His beats/flow are excellent. This entire album is a very good body of work. It's one of those driving on a summer night with the windows down with your lady type albums. I would highly recommend!"

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