“For Colored Girls” is the soundtrack to Tyler Perry’s new movie starring Janet Jackson, Whoopi Goldberg, Loretta Devine, Phylicia Rashad and Macy Gray among others. The movie is an adaptation of a stage play, and Perry’s translation of this to a movie has earned tonnes of harsh reviews.
The soundtrack, on the other hand, is a winner and an all women affair with something for everyone. Opening is “Main Title”, a haunting string-swathed classical piano piece with poetic recitals by Loretta Devine, Kimberly Elise and Janet Jackson, followed by the retro Soul “Longer And Stronger” by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings. The lilting “All Day Long (Blue Skies)” is seventies Stevie Wonder-style Jazzy Soul done by Estelle, while “What More Can They Do” by Laura Izibor is groovy with echoing guitars. Lalah Hathaway lends her dusky vocals to the soulful piano ballad “Sun” while “Ansomnia” with stabbing bass, electro beats and swirling synths features Zaki Ibrahim.
“Settle” is acoustic Soul with Gladys Knight and choir-style backing vocals. “La Donna In Viola” is a Classical piece and features Karen Slack, Andrea Jones-Soloja and Hollywood Symphony Orchestra. “Sechita (A Senhora Em Amarelo)” is another recital, this time featuring Anika Noni Rose, Carondelet Percussion Ensemble against a clunky Jazzy backdrop. The bouncy Pop/Rock “Stand Up” features Macy Gray, and maintaining the tempo is Janelle Monáe’s catchy “Without A Fight”.
“Four Women” is a Jazzy piano piece with Nina Simone, Simone (Nina Simone’s daughter), Laura Izibor and Ledisi, truly outstanding. “Closing is “I Know Who I Am”, a sweeping piano ballad by Leona Lewis.
The last all female Soul soundtrack that was this good (which I can think of) was “Waiting To Exhale”. A musical tour de force. - Review by Nsse Ette, Nigeria
Buy it at Harlem World online store.
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