So this is my first attempt at something I’ve always wanted to do for a very long time …CD REVIEWS!

And my first cd I’ve had a listen to is that of Estelle entitled “All of me”.  Estelle is a West London lady born Estelle Fanta Swaray on the 18^th of Jan in 1980.

You know those cd’s where you have like 12 songs but you skip 5 of them cos you don’t really like all the songs? Well, this cd is NOTHING like that!

It’s a disc you can have playing in your car and enjoy each and every track, without skipping any songs. It meanders between easy listening and those bob your head sing along beats and like most albums takes you on an emotional journey via music. If I was asked to mention my favourites I would struggle to answer you but the top tunes for me would have to be The Life, International, Cold Crush, Love the way we used to, Speak ya mind and Don’t break it.

Don’t break it is the track enjoying radio play at the moment and features another artist that’s also been to our shores, Rick Ross. Thank you is another track to look out for which sounds like it should be sung by Mary J Blige, one of her influences she openly admits. The track International  (Serious) features Chris Brown and Trey Songz but for me as a Saffer there’s a part that gets my attention when the rapper mentions “Joburg and R3 milion” Another song that made me take note is the track called Speak ya mind and uses interpolations of Freak like me by Adina Howard from the 90’s.

There is one thing I don’t really like about this album but it’s not specific to this cd, I’m just not a fan of interludes in general and this cd has a few of those so I’ll be pressing the forward button when I start hearing discussions

There are 15 tracks on All of me and not one disappoints. I’ve also noticed a certain John Legends name appear on the back of the cd cover so that definitely is the reason behind this awesome sound.

I could’ve thrown stats and album sales at you but it’s not even necessary as everyone already knows about Estelle and her hits, awards and accolades.  American Boy with Kanye West and Freak with Kardinal Offishall spring to mind.

All of me is released through Atlantic and Gallo and release dates are in Feb and March 2012 in UK and US.

So if you’re an Estelle fan or even if you’re not an Estelle fan, I think you should give it a listen then decide if you need to add it to your collection or itunes the track to enjoy this lady’s music

Happy listening and bobbing your head

Baydu