Hear My Cry

Rating

Album: Hear My Cry
#	Song Title		Time
1)	It Feels So Good	More Info...	4:03
2)	I Put A Spell On You	More Info...	3:33
3)	Are You Ready?	More Info...	4:31
4)	Cold N' Lonely	More Info...	4:44
5)	Drama	More Info...	4:41
6)	Move Closer	More Info...	4:45
7)	Can't Get Enough	More Info...	4:30
8)	Hear My Cry	More Info...	5:19
9)	Empty (Hideaway)	More Info...	3:42
10)	Love Is On Our Side	More Info...	3:23
11)	Sky	More Info...	4:27
12)	Learn To Forget	More Info...	3:40
13)	It Feels So Good Can 7 Soulfood Club Mix	More Info...	7:58

Album: Hear My Cry
#	Song Title		Time
1)	It Feels So Good	More Info...	4:03
2)	I Put A Spell On You	More Info...	3:33
3)	Are You Ready?	More Info...	4:31
4)	Cold N' Lonely	More Info...	4:44
5)	Drama	More Info...	4:41
6)	Move Closer	More Info...	4:45
7)	Can't Get Enough	More Info...	4:30
8)	Hear My Cry	More Info...	5:19
9)	Empty (Hideaway)	More Info...	3:42
10)	Love Is On Our Side	More Info...	3:23
11)	Sky	More Info...	4:27
12)	Learn To Forget	More Info...	3:40
13)	It Feels So Good Can 7 Soulfood Club Mix	More Info...	7:58

Tracks

1. It Feels So Good

2. I Put A Spell On You

3. Are You Ready?

4. Cold And Lonely

5. Drama

6. Move Closer

7. Can't Get Enough

8. Hear My Cry

9. Empty (Hideaway)

10. Love Is On Our Side

11. Sky

12. Learn To Forget

13. It Feels So Good (Can 7 Soulfood Club Mix)

Performer Notes

Personnel includes: Sonique, Mr. Buddha, Calvin Richardson (vocals); Brian Transeau (guitar, Fender Rhodes piano, bass); Chris Cox, Barry Harris (keyboards, programming); Rick Nowels, Gregg Kurstin (keyboards); Davie Dave (scratches); Wayne Rodriguez (programming).
Producers: Sonique, Rick Nowels, Robin Barter, B.T., Gerald Isaac.
Engineers include: Chris Allen, Edwin "Scizza Hands" Ramos, Graeme Pleeth.
Includes one bonus track.
In the inner flap of her debut LP, HEAR MY CRY, the imposing-looking Sonique strikes a ferocious pose. She also refers to herself with the oft-overused tag "diva" in the acknowledgments. This posturing could conjure up musical visions ranging anywhere from Mariah to Me'Shell N'Degeo'Cello. In reality, Sonique's music has more in common with sounds pumping from mid-'80s nightclubs of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood variety, while her voice is most reminiscent of that of Jimi Somerville of Bronski Beat fame.
The tinge of cold impersonality in the music is more than made up for by catchy grooves and Sonique's impassioned vocals. The opening track, "It Feels So Good," is marked by the type of hook that bears cross-genre appeal. While a cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins' signature "I Put a Spell on You" could seem horrific in this forum, she rekindles the song's inherent sinister sensuality and lays it upon some sweet-spiraling electronic hypnotics. Even the familiar anthemic feel of "Are You Ready" and the straight-R&B battle of the sexes of "Drama" are imbued with her special spark, one that elevates them to a level far above that of standard fare.

Professional Reviews

Q (7/00, p.124) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...This mostly self-penned debut is an uneven affair, with fairly grim upbeat brassy pop...being counterpointed by lovely Portishead-esque musings..."