Lisa Stansfield's career prior to the release of Seven has been one that has seen her sell 20 million records worldwide, winning Brit, Ivor Novello, and Silver Clef awards and also receiving a Grammy nomination. Her husband and long-term songwriting partner, Ian Devaney, was also involved in the recording and production of this album, which sees her develop her sound in order to engage with yet another generation of fans. ~ James Pearce|
Rovi
Seven, produced and written with longtime creative partner and husband Ian Devaney, is Lisa Stansfield's first album in nearly a decade. Despite concentrating on her acting career during the intervening years, Stansfield's voice is at full power, with all the elegance and power of her earlier work. The album is simultaneously retro yet fresh-sounding, led by the organic throwback disco of "Can't Dance." Stansfield and Devaney get some expert help from drummer John Robinson and arranger Jerry Hey, session giants who are well known among credit-scanning fans of soul, disco, and crossover jazz. ~ Andy Kellman
Rovi
現夫のイアン・デヴェニーらとブルー・ゾーンを結成して30周年……という節目は関係あるのか、実に10年ぶりのアルバムは原点回帰を謳う〈ソウル・アルバム〉に。ただ、スタックスやハイやPIRの風情を絡めつつ90年代マナーにまで及ぶ作りは、安直なHDHコピー群とは一線を画すもの。ブギーな“Can't Dance”もリアルタイマーならではのノリと余裕が眩しい。イアンを中心にジェリー・ヘイやピーター・モクランも助力した快作!
bounce (C)出嶌孝次
タワーレコード(vol.364(2014年2月25日発行号)掲載)