The Moment

by

Lisa Stansfield

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You know, I wasn't going to write this but some of you need to get a life and go with the flow! You need to listen to "The Moment" more than just once. This should bring her many new fans who don't particularly like R&B. After six albums of the same kind of music, I for one welcome a change from one of my very favorite artist. Give her a break! As an artist she needs to grow and try new things, and she's done it excellantly here with this new album. The voice is the same and come on now really, it still sounds dancable and soulful to me. I know everybody is entitled to their own opinion but don't knock a great album just because it's different from what you expect, grow a bit and give it a try. I just don't get it, you profess to LOVE LISA STANSFIELD, but obviously not enough to let her try new things. It's not that much of a departure. The new music is still Lisa and she sounds incredible, and I too would LOVE a Burt Bacharach covers album from her!!!!! Forge ahead Lisa and don't let them get to you!

I have been waiting for Lisa's new album since it was announced on her website. So, while in London, a week after it was released there, I bought a copy from the local HMV store. It didn't do well there in its first week of release. Despite that, I still wanted to support Lisa cause I know that every song this lady sings turns out to become a gem.

First and foremost, this is not an R&B album. This is also the first album that is not produced by her main collaborator and husband Ian Devaney. Instead she got to collaborate with the legendary Trevor Horn, who has produced great production work for Seal, Pet Shop Boys, Tina Turner and a bunch of other great artists. The result is a pleasant pop adult contemporary sounding music which showcases Lisa's maturity as a singer and desire to evolve her music beyond the R&B , and dance music vein.

In most cases, the songs on the Moment succeeds to soar and emote the feelings associated with these songs. but there are times when I just longed for the sound of her albums Affection and Real Love. Nonetheless, Trevor has guided Lisa to sound her best on this album. With a totally different style of production, he brought a fresh sound to accompany Lisa's beautiful, distinctive voice.

Songs on the Moment deal with the various affairs of the heart. The redemptive power of love and pain it brings with it. When she sings on Easier, I the sadness of a crumbling relationship can be felt.

Treat Me Like a Woman is so unlike all the songs she has done before. A feisty tone and a fresh contemporary sound; this is an anthem for female empowerment. Say It To Me Now, a power ballad, which is somewhat reminiscent of Elton John's The One, is filled with passion, intensity, and urgency. He Touches Me is a totally feel good number with Lisa singing

declaring of how she has found the happiness with a

man who could only give the simple things in life but which is what she most needs. Lay Your Hands On Me, a gorgeous love song with Lisa singing with sincerity and with the production a bit stripped. The Moment, the danciest number on the album about undying devotional love gave me goose bumps; but once again the production could have been better. The songs which really showcases Lisa's great voice are Take My Heart and Takes A Woman To Know. Lisa is certainly showing how she sings with passion and soul on these two songs. Love Without A Name with its spare production but beautiful lyrics is just wonderful.

Overall, Lisa should be applauded in taking a risk for stepping out of the R&B, dance music vein and without her constant collaborator Ian. And I'm happy she did. Though Ian contributed on most of her best work, Trevor brought something fresh to showcase Lisa's singing. I'm so glad that Lisa is still doing what she does best. This is a good pop album. Definitely radio friendly but not as edgier as her best albums such as Affection and Real Love. Still a good piece of work.