Love Language

ベテランの風格が漂う10作目のオリジナル作品
名盤「ブラック・ダイアモンド」「マホガニー・ソウル」「ストーン・ラヴ」などを生み出し、もはや重鎮といえるアンジー・ストーン4年ぶりにして10作目のオリジナル作品。(2)のMusiq Soulchildをフィーチャーした「The Gym」一発でもうヤられます。90's R&Bの雰囲気も感じさせつつ、良質な空間を味わえる作品です。

Angie Stones mood-lifting tenth studio album is her third with a core group of fellow songwriters and producers that includes Walter Millsap III, Candice Nelson, Balewa Muhammad, and Teak Underdue. As such, its in the same mode of 2015s Dream and 2019s Full Circle, continuing the quadrennial release schedule with another serving of feel-good songs brightly colored with shades of classic Southern R&B and Philly soul. Lead single "Kiss You" reshapes Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes "Miss You" with trunk-rattling production and an amorous lyrical twist. "The Gym," a duet with Musiq Soulchild, uses humorous metaphorical wordplay to analyze a disintegrating relationship. Tranquil ballads like "Love Is Real," "Good Man," and "All I Need" are filled with gratefulness and reassurance, qualities also present in the title song and "Love the Feeling," numbers that increase the tempo with respective nods to early-80s funk and Gamble & Huff-style disco. The slight increase of grain in Stones voice isnt at the expense of power. (The albums only other featured artist is Stones son, Swayvo Twain, whose guest verse on "Old Thang Back" suggests that he inherited father DAngelos knack for lax enunciation.) ~ Andy Kellman

4年ぶりの新作。今回もウォルター・ミルサップ3世やバレワ・ムハマドら馴染みの面々による制作で、ブルーノーツ曲使いのバラードや久々の共演となるミュージック・ソウルチャイルドとのメロウ曲、サザン・ソウル風など、逞しく優しい歌声でアンジーの世界に引き込む。ディアンジェロとの間に儲けた愛息スウェイヴォ・トウェインを迎えた直球のネオ・ソウルも収録。
bounce (C)林 剛