Various Artists - Urban Renewal
Various - ''Urban Renewal'' (Thursday June 14, 2001 11:21 AM )
Released on 18/06/2001 Label: WEA
You'd be hard pushed to think of a more unlikely combination than hip-hop and R&B artists covering the songs of Phil Collins. On the face of it, it isn't a bad idea. Shame then, that those involved (with a precious few noteworthy exceptions), fail to use the opportunity to create something more worthwhile than what appears on 'Urban Renewal'.
The album opens with Brandy and Ray-J's current single, 'Another Day in Paradise'. This song is fairly typical of the remainder of the album. It's a largely hollow rendition, saved only by the technical skills of the performers. There's nothing new or interesting here.
The first of a handful on the album to get close to where you'd hope this collection would go is Ol' Dirty Bastard's take on 'Sussudio'. This laid back summer hip hop track gives a new edge to the original material and brings it right up to date. Also successful in her endeavours is L'il Kim. Her raw and challenging version of 'In The Air Tonight' is spoiled only by Phil Collins himself, whose guest vocals unnecessarily age the song and sit uncomfortably alongside the verses.
BRIT award winner Kelis lends her unique and uncompromising style to a refreshingly ballsy version of 'I Don't Care Anymore' and you can almost forgive the dirge that makes up the remainder of the tracks (including Dane Bowers, Montell Jordan and TQ).
The undoubtable skill of the collective contributors could have resulted in a fresh and innovative re-working of these old favourites, but this album misses the mark in a number of ways. The running order is ill thought out so that the tracks don't flow naturally and the production is frequently heavy handed.
The main problem with 'Urban Renewal' though, is that it's essentially dull. It is not edgy enough to appeal to R&B and hip hop afficionados and not true enough to the original spirit of Collins' back catalogue to tempt his fanbase into exploring the work of those featured. A bit of a pointless exercise all round really.
by Luci Jameson
Released on 18/06/2001 Label: WEA
You'd be hard pushed to think of a more unlikely combination than hip-hop and R&B artists covering the songs of Phil Collins. On the face of it, it isn't a bad idea. Shame then, that those involved (with a precious few noteworthy exceptions), fail to use the opportunity to create something more worthwhile than what appears on 'Urban Renewal'.
The album opens with Brandy and Ray-J's current single, 'Another Day in Paradise'. This song is fairly typical of the remainder of the album. It's a largely hollow rendition, saved only by the technical skills of the performers. There's nothing new or interesting here.
The first of a handful on the album to get close to where you'd hope this collection would go is Ol' Dirty Bastard's take on 'Sussudio'. This laid back summer hip hop track gives a new edge to the original material and brings it right up to date. Also successful in her endeavours is L'il Kim. Her raw and challenging version of 'In The Air Tonight' is spoiled only by Phil Collins himself, whose guest vocals unnecessarily age the song and sit uncomfortably alongside the verses.
BRIT award winner Kelis lends her unique and uncompromising style to a refreshingly ballsy version of 'I Don't Care Anymore' and you can almost forgive the dirge that makes up the remainder of the tracks (including Dane Bowers, Montell Jordan and TQ).
The undoubtable skill of the collective contributors could have resulted in a fresh and innovative re-working of these old favourites, but this album misses the mark in a number of ways. The running order is ill thought out so that the tracks don't flow naturally and the production is frequently heavy handed.
The main problem with 'Urban Renewal' though, is that it's essentially dull. It is not edgy enough to appeal to R&B and hip hop afficionados and not true enough to the original spirit of Collins' back catalogue to tempt his fanbase into exploring the work of those featured. A bit of a pointless exercise all round really.
by Luci Jameson
posted by Luci @ 5:47 AM
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