Frank Ocean, channel ORANGE
Even if Frank Ocean hadn’t recently acknowledged that he's an
equal-opportunity lover, becoming one of the first major hip-hop artists to come
out, his very personal major-label debut doesn’t hide a thing: He’s living it
up with a lady on "Super Rich Kids," but he’s sad that his man doesn’t love him
back on the sorrowful "Bad Religion" – the guy he referenced in his public
letter. Not only is his storytelling strewn with poetic vividness about a
lonesome taxi ride and the feeling of "steak knives," but when his tenor – over
an escalating instrumental palette – hits a vulnerable falsetto, he breaks you
into pieces. The rest of Ocean’s remarkable work stays away from R&B
conventions, too: "Sweet Life" grooves with an old-time feeling that’s got hit
power without bringing bitches and hoes into the mix; "Forrest Gump" is a
bittersweet confessional about, presumably, the same boy who has his heart;
"Lost," percolating with gaming-noise blips, is sexy, liberating and good
enough to go on for another five minutes. His influences are everywhere, from
classic Mary J. Blige references to the Stevie Wonder and Prince sounds that
are heard in the caramel-smoothness of his voice. But this is obviously Ocean’s
moment, as the 24-year-old who once guested for Jay-Z and wrote for Beyoncé
steps into superstardom. The album shot to No. 2 on the pop charts in its first
week, and rightfully so: channel ORANGE is a soul-baring piece of hip-hop
art. And that has nothing to do with who’s in his bed at night.
Grade: A-
Sparkle soundtrack
Near the end of Whitney Houston’s life, the super belt that
made the singer a star had been reduced to a rough whimper. One of the most
treasured vocal icons of our time lost its unparalleled power. Nothing, though,
could take away the spirit and soul inside it. Both find their way into her
version of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" from her first movie in 15 years, which
would also tragically become her last; it doesn’t capture Houston at her vocal
zenith, but there’s no denying she feels every word of it: Over just piano, she
– along with a choir – carries the song hauntingly into a moving posthumous
paean. "I sing because I’m free" is all the more powerful in the wake of
Whitney’s death. It’s not the best song on the Motown-inspired soundtrack, also
featuring Jordin Sparks and Cee Lo Green, but it’s definitely a standout.
Sparks’ song with Houston, "Celebrate," goes for Disney cutesiness with a
disco-lite sound that makes it an easy listen, but Sparks does all the heavy
lifting. If only there were more to celebrate. And elsewhere, there is: Soul
singer Goapele’s own song, "Running," has classic ’60s written all over it,
Sparks’ "One Wing" is an inspiring ballad with a showy climax of diva runs, and
Cee Lo keeps "I’m a Man" fresh without losing that trademark blues sound. More
on that level and Sparkle could really shine.
Grade: B-
Also Out
Gentleman Reg, Leisure Life Part One
The five songs on the queer Canadian’s EP is just the
beginning: Two more are due shortly, before a full-length hits in the fall (how
very Robyn of you, Reg). If this one’s any indication, the indie outsider –
known for lo-fi folk that eventually becomes background music on popular TV
dramas – goes for power-pop on "I Could Be What You Wanted," about a pair of
star-crossed lovers, and the synth-swirled "Waiting Around for Gold." Both
sound progressively rich. His androgynous voice, however, is still an acquired
taste. Proceed with an open mind.
Jennifer Lopez, Dance Again ... The Hits
Thanks to American Idol, Jennifer Lopez’s career found a
second life. But the fly girl’s best dance songs still go back to the first,
when she initially made the actress-to-singer transition with "Waiting for
Tonight" and "If You Had My Love." It’s easy to forget the genius of those –
especially the slinky former single – when what she’s recently released doesn’t
exactly have the same charm. "Feelin’ So Good" is another reminder of how good
Jenny From the Block could be when she had a simple beat, a rapper du jour and
lighthearted lyrics about ... nothing.