Aloe Blacc, Lift Your Spirit | Album Review 💿

R&B singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc releases his third album, Lift Your Spirit,  which true to its title, indeed lifts the spirit.

R&B singer Aloe Blacc isn’t participating in a first rodeo. Blacc released an outstanding single, “I Need A Dollar” back in 2010.  That  should have foreshadowed what was to come.  Still, things only break for an artist when it’s the right time. 2013-14 has proven to be the 35-year old singer’s time.  Two gargantuan singles have given Blacc ‘wings to fly’ on Lift Your Spirit: “Wake Me Up” (Aviici) and “The Man.” The momentum that is on his side – specifically crossover success into pop from urban music – carries over into this overall fine ‘introduction’.  Sure, the singer, who has been associated with the Stones Throw label, has previously released two albums, but for many, this is their first impression of Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III.  That impression is a favorable one ultimately.

“The Man”

“The Man” is nothing short of enthusiastic and proves to be a sensational opening cut.  “Girl you can tell everybody…I’m the man, I’m the man, I’m the man,” Blacc sings passionately on the pre-chorus, before proclaiming “I got all the answers to your questions / I’ll be the teacher you could be the lesson…” on the chorus.  The throwback vibe hearkening back to R&B’s prime just makes “The Man” that much greater.  Throw in the lifted “Your Song” sample (Elton John) and soulful vocals from Blacc and “Everything is Sound” (Jason Mraz song reference FYI).

“Love Is The Answer” keeps things moving exceptionally well, again relying on the inspiration of the past.  Pharrell Williams’ typical production cues are in play without altering the soulful script.  In fact, “Love Is The Answer” sounds quite comparable to Williams’ own retro savvy on his own album G I R L.  The chivalrous nature of “Love Is The Answer” is nothing short of admirable.

“Just look around the whole wide world
So many beautiful things to see
Take my hand and come along spread love with me.”

“Wake Me Up (Acoustic)” is well placed given the popularity of the original Aviici single from True.  Still, the argument against what essentially is a reprisal is that “Wake Me Up” has experienced its peak already, so why feature it once more? There is nothing wrong with the acoustic version – it’s a quality recording – but moving forward beyond the track also wouldn’t have hurt Blacc in the least.

“Here Today”

“Here Today” may not be among the best, but what is notable about it is that here specifically, Blacc truly channels the sound of Bill Withers.  Whether it is intentional influence or not, “Here Today” shows the beauty of Blacc’s pipes.  Additionally, much like the incredibly popular “The Man”, “Here Today” can pass off as an R&B or pop single.  On “Can You Do This”, the sound is likened to Bruno Mars’s soulful throwback joint “Runaway”.  They are clearly two different songs by different artists, but the sound is a modern day capture of retro-soul.  Halfway through, things still remain ‘all good’ overall.

“Chasing” sports another funky groove and contrasts “Can You Do This” with a slower tempo. The use of horns adds another dimension, truly accentuating the song.  The refrain is a ‘feel good’ one with Blacc singing of “girls chasing the boys” and so on.  One specific highlighting moment is when the groove switches briefly to reggae, which is a sound contrast to the rest.  “Chasing” isn’t revolutionary,  but among Blacc’s best.

“The Hand Is Quicker”

“The Hand Is Quicker” doesn’t lose a bit of momentum, with a hard, stomping groove and magnificent use of electric guitar, horns, and organ.  Retro-soul is written all over this cut, with the backing vocals truly sealing the deal.

“You know the hand
Is quicker than the eye
Sometimes the truth
Ain’t no better than a lie.”

The sweetest spot of Blacc’s voice – when he ascends into his upper register.

“Ticking Bomb” is a treat; it contrasts its contemporaries on Lift Your Spirit and possesses certain intensity about it.  Soulful, clear, and nuanced vocals by Blacc continue to be the story of the LP; he’s a man on fire.  What’s equally remarkable is the fact that Blacc never over sings, giving just the right amount to draw the desired effect.

“Red Velvet Seal” truly buys into vintage soul with its six-eight groove, a common cue of classic soul.  Though the two songs are unrelated by all means, “Red Velvet Seal” hearkens back to Lenny Williams’ “Cause I Love You” given its overt sound and feel.  “Red Velvet Seal” is a strong penultimate track, even if it just misses the glory and notability of the top echelon.  “Owe It All” provides the album’s obligatory spiritual cut, with Blacc thanking God for everything.  An appropriate closer, the enjoyable “Owe It All” caps off a soundly conceived R&B album.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, Lift Your Spirit “lifts the spirit.”  No deal breaking moments to be found, with consistency characterizing the album.  Lift Your Spirit isn’t innovative, but deserves praise for soundness.  Vocally, Aloe Blacc knows when to pull back and when to flash,  making Lift Your Spirit appealing throughout.   It is the sensible R&B album that is ‘pop’ enough to crossover – just look at “The Man” for proof of that.

Gems: “The Man,” “Love Is The Answer,” “Chasing” & “Ticking Bomb”

Aloe Blacc • Lift Your Spirit • Interscope • US Release Date: March 11, 2014

Photo credit: Interscope