3.5/5
British Woman
Nostalgia has got me in my fond feelings. Somewhere in the 2000s, and my twenties, watching every hip-hop gig I could change a shift to get to, from Manchester to London. All the Apollo Theatres. All the stars. Ja Rule, Nelly, Nas, Jay-Z. The Wu-Tang Clan. Most, if not all, opened by British singer/songwriter and rapper Estelle, fresh off of her dynamic debut, 'The 18th Day' (2004), behind singles like '1980', 'Free' and 'Go Gone'. I could have sworn she winked at me one time...but that's just me, getting to gigs early so I could stand at the front. From Beverley Knight to Amy Winehouse, London's own Estelle Fanta Swaray was a part of the British urban soul revolution. Giver her a MOBO Lifetime Achievement. Because she's forever a legend like Eternal. Even before the 'Shine' of her sophomore set and the Kanye West produced megahit 'American Boy'. Working with the likes of will.i.am, Akon, Tyler, The Creator, and the cast of 'Empire'. Since then, she's given us 'All Of Me', like a 'True Romance', and she doesn't care that everyone wants the next 'American Boy', as she takes it back to the musical roots she calls home. That may be her greatest hit, but we need another 'American Boy' about as much as we need another Kanye tweet. No matter how great a song, or genius artist that and he is.
Leaving them Hollywood types for the hills, yet still with that number one champion sound. Instead, Estelle tells us to 'Stay Alta' on her sixth LP and first album in seven years, following the 'Lovers Rock' of 2018. The 'Alta' artist in gold letters on an epic emerald green album artwork, with the hands of a free flowing dress to match, returns to form and an album that makes her as compelling and cohesive as luminaries like the great Brits Lianne La Havas and Corrine Bailey Rae. The album, coming just in time for another beautiful British summer, features the moving singles 'Fire' and 'Oh I', complete with their own dance videos to step to. Not to mention the 'New Direction' featuring new big names on the block LaRussell and Kevon Harrold. Check the slowed down live version of this single and the 'Love On Love' dedication for more heart to this soul. The tenacious talent inspired by everyone from Ella Fitzgerald to Mary J. Blige also features collaborations with some real movers and shakers for a record that doesn't stop dancing.
She's 'Grateful' to them, too, like this track with Teedra Moses and Russell Taylor. Whereas the studio version of 'Love On Love' features D-Nice. Another legend, in an explicit Joi brings 'Fire'. Whilst Channel Tres tunes into the title-track. As we 'Let It Drop' with Durand Bernarr. All before the sweet "Honey Honey" you'll move and sing along slowly too is 'On Time' with Aida Rodriguez and Nonchalant Savant. Yet from the 'Outside' opening, to the outro to 'Start Over' to, it's the lyric video of 'Roses (Now's The Time)' that finally gives this somewhat underrated superstar her flowers. "I had to let go of the pain/Had to let go of the things/That I was born with when I came/I was given with my name/And only I could do the chore/I leveled up the score/Breathed life into my core." If that isn't resolve that could never be sold, I don't know what to buy into any more. Just 'Like He Is'. The Lord or love. Or perhaps both. "I think I'll keep it like it is/I don't know which way that the sun's gon' shine/But, oh, I'll keep it like it is." Like 'Alta', until the altar, stay, Estelle, stay. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'New Direction (Feat. LaRussell & Keyon Harrold)', 'Oh I', 'Roses (Now's The Time').
Spin This: Estelle - 'Shine'
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