Go ahead, go out & get YahZarah ‘s new album The Ballad of Purple Saint James right now. It’s a 6 out of 7 head nods. That’s it, review over. Lol. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if reviews were that concise and straight to the point? Alas, it isn’t; so here’s why you’re slipping if you didn’t get it four weeks ago…
By divine intervention I missed the album sampler when it hit the streets back in April, so when I hit play on the album I was pleasantly surprised. I listened to YahZarah’s earlier albums in the past but was never sold. Her contribution to The Foreign Exchange’s Connected and Leave It All Behind was great but I needed to hear her album to declare my full fledged fandom. {I make up words}. Let it be known I didn’t read the booklet, nor scan to see who is on what track = suspense heightened yielding pleasant surprises!
I have a 6 second rule; these tracks complied on the 1st listen…
The first track was just okay to me but Why Dontcha Call Me No More set the tone of the energy & strong vocals that live in the album. Cry Over You woke me up & had me jamming on the way to work. The high hat & *what sounds like* electric guitar immediately pulled me into the track. Suddenly Phonte starts rapping & I’m like heyyyyy… I felt the vibe that swirled in the studio that night {they tweeted about it}, I was energized & good to go.
I love ballads and All My Days ft Darien Brockington did it for me. It’s good to hear YahZarah’s standalone singing because it showcases the beauty in her voice. It has a seductive quality that wasn’t present on her earlier work that forces the listener to hit rewind several times. Darien’s input complements the song harmoniously as their voices intertwine and soar over the tracks.
Last to Leave & Starship originated from Introducing Purple Saint James. Last to Leave is reminiscent of the 90′s sound when performances were driven by sound instead of booty action. I envision YahZarah in a bar performing with 2 backup singers {think Xscape} & riveting piano keys supporting her as she spills her heart to the love of her life. As I listened to the song I kept wondering if she sampled Aaliyah’s I Care for You… yet to be confirmed. Starship is so so sooo much better on BPSJ. Both renditions have a Prince edge to it but the updated version has YahZarah doing a stronger vocal performance that made it one of my favorites from the jump! Her voice reeks of emotion and growth that makes the song incredibly captivating. The fusion of the instruments supports her voice in a manner that causes your ears to cleave to the ear buds in an effort to hear it louder.
Have a Heart, ahhhh, another fav. I’m not a musical savant like most but I do believe this sampled The Isley’s Always Come Back to You. I never knew YahZarah’s voice was this beautiful And I’ve heard it’s even better live. The track opens with a sexy guitar riff that ushers in a singing whisper that builds powerfully into the strength of the words.
Without factually knowing that Shadow is the penultimate track, the listener could tell the album is coming to a close based on the lullaby feel you get as YahZarah’s voice embraces the piano keys. It’s a perfect lead into the finale Love, Come Save the Day. As upbeat as the album opened, it closes, on a tempo that makes the body sway as the trumpet does its thing. The track speaks about love and the sunshine it brings.
The overall feel of the album both musically and lyrically shows that good work was put into the album. I’m not sure if it’s the familiarity of working with The Foreign Exchange team that did it, but the production was on point and it showcased Ms Purple Saint James’ voice for all that it is. It is for that reason that PinkBubbleGum gives The Ballad of Purple Saint James 6 out of 7 head nods.
Head Nod Scale
1 = Don’t waste your time like I did mine.
2 = Waste your time like I did mine but I dare you to disagree.
3 = Well, there was the single.
4 = If it were a hand in spades there’s “two and a possible”.
5 = It’s a “good” album. Meaning at least 3 or 4 solid songs.
6 = Really Good Project. Has the “Rewind actor” more than once.
7 = The number of completion. Great Album. Instant Classic.
YahZarah – Have A Heart
