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Music Review:
Javier, Javier
JAVIER
1. Crazy
2. Beautiful U R
3. Song For Your Tears
4. Slow Motion
5. Hey Little Sister
6. Biggest Mistake
7. Interlude #1
8. If I Never Get To Heaven
9. Can't Have My Heart
10. She Spoke To Me
11. In Your Hands
12. She'll Never Know
13. Interlude #2
14. October Sky
If you're looking for straight up R&B and funky melodies, this is the CD for you.
Keep in mind that this CD does not contain talk of sexing hos [Gotdamn! - Chris], hitting it and quitting it [Drat! - Chris], or drinking Cristal till the break of dawn [Man! - Chris]. Javier speaks of love and romance, and knowing when it's time to leave a failing relationship - all in a very sentimental way.
This 25-year-old soul balladeer is pretty much new to the scene, but being a graduate of the University of Hartford's Hartt School of Music gives him a healthy competitive edge.
Javier is nicely arranged and mixes a varied array of genres. He moves from soulful ballads to acoustic driven tracks to Latin tinged songs, and ends the CD with a beautiful jazzy number (*it's called October Sky and I'm sure if this was performed on stage, he would get a standing ovation).
To me, Javier is a mix of Glenn Lewis, Stevie Wonder and Seal. He offers classic R&B with some rock-esque beats.
His first single, Crazy, was released this summer. It is a fun, light song that details how he fell hard for the object of his affection.
I noticed that most of his songs sound so happy and positive. In the song, Song For Your Tears, he lets his girlfriend know that the love is gone and it's time to go their separate ways. He lets her down so gently that he almost takes all the heartache out of breaking up.
Slow Motion, which follows that previous track, should be the next release (in my opinion). I love this song. It's an up-tempo R&B track that has a wicked chorus. I sang this song on my way to work, at work, and on my way home from work.
The funk portion of the CD is so elaborately produced; it's an absolute joy to listen to. Hey Little Sister is a funky little song that has one of the most dramatic openings. The first few seconds is pure funk-infused soul music. The strings, the drums - it's such a throwback to the seventies (I love it!!). For anyone into funk, this song is like a breath of fresh air.
If you're a bride-to-be looking for the perfect song for you and your hubby to dance to, check out If I Never Get To Heaven. Javier professes his undying love for his girl and does it in a vulnerable, yet romantic way. Any sane woman would melt when she listens to the words.
For those who have a passion for Latin music, She Spoke To Me has your name written all over it. Javier returns to his roots with this high-energy song. From the first time I heard it, I was practicing my salsa skills in the privacy of my own room.
Overall, I am glad that I had the chance to listen to this new artist. This sensitive brotha delivers his love songs in a romantic way without being too mushy.
But I can't end this review without mentioning In Your Hands. Javier sings this song in a falsetto voice, which creates an air of vulnerability. Its lullaby quality makes it very comforting and soothing to the listener.
I totally recommend this CD for those who are looking for some traditional R&B. I especially recommend it for the couples that want to enjoy an evening in and listen to some "baby making" music. ¤ Michelle
JAVIER:
(out of 5)