BITTERSWEET SOUL VOLUME 2 by Various Artists
Rating: 4/5
Reviewer: Claudia Pillay
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want some old-school magic this is the CD for you. It has plenty of great names such as Anita Baker, Bill Withers and Chaka Khan. Toni Braxton kicks off her toe-tapping, man-bashing hit He Wasn’t Man Enough and Deborah Cox’ Sentimental is another winner. Fabulous stuff.
THE E.N.D. by Black Eyed Peas
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Annelene Moses
Is it an experiment gone wrong or are the Peas merely taking their music to the next level? They were rooted in hip-hop and flirted with funk but this psychedelic song-and-dance showcase will alienate fans. But you’ll recognise the Peas on some tracks - Boom Boom Pow is one. Sadly many of the other tracks are bouncy trance.
ABNORMALLY ATTRACTED TO SIN by Tori Amos
Rating: 3/5
Reviewer: Franco Ferrarese
Tori marries her original, unusual sound with a commercial one that has worked well for her recently. There’s a jarring beginning but it leads to an even-tempered ending. Her lyrics are also a bit unbalanced - some make sense and others are simply confusing. In typical Tori style each song is a story but not all are worth hearing. A good offering but not her usual greatness.
