With Goapele news continuing to come in, Deesha brings us a wonderful review of her sophmore album, 'Change It All.'

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Goapele – ‘Change It All’ (Skyblaze Recordsing)

It’s really unfair to begin a CD review with a comparison, but sorry…I just can’t help it. As I pop in Change It All, the official sophomore debut from the Bay Area’s Goapele, reminders of an early Sade echo in my ear, except Goapele possesses a strong social and political grit.

Change It All is a mix of various subjects - finding and losing love, fixing the world and self discovery. That is the basic template of most current music, so in that sense Goapele doesn't stand out. But once you take a good listen you'll recognize the creativity and uniqueness. It's hidden in tracks such as “Different’, which is one of the album's shining stars. An up tempo jam that features Clyde Carson, the feeling is felt through the perfect match of vocals and musical production. Other standouts worth mentioning include the title track, “Change It All”, which reflects her revolutionary stance regarding world issues and “First Love” which sets the tone for the albums love mood. “First Love” takes listeners on a trip from puppy love to falling in love and glimpses into an intimate side of Goapele. The album possesses a few tracks appropriate for the dance floor such as “4AM”, “Fly Away” (produced by SA-RA), “Good Love” and “Find A Way”. The last two tracks mentioned have club and radio potential with the proper remixes behind them.

The gem of this album is the Dwele collaboration, “You”. From the beginning heavy bass intro to the sexy chemistry between the two vocalists, the track is just beautiful. The emotion is felt most as they harmonize during the chorus. Goapele's voice is a bit stronger than Dwele's, but that's to be expected since it is her album.

So, my complaints: The album should have been released during the spring or summer. I know it sounds kind of trivial to say, but the songs collectively give off a sunshine, chill out, relaxing kind of feeling. I also didn't follow the purpose of the interludes/conversations that were included before and after certain tracks. While I think they carried good messages, I'm not sure they were all necessary.

To sum it all this is a pretty good album. It's been on constant play in the IPOD. Goapele proves that her talent can be measured on the mainstream market. Matter of fact, she further justifies herself in the upper echelon of current female soul singers. And just incase listeners get a little nostalgic or need a re-introduction to Goapele, skip straight through to the hidden track, “Closer” from the first album. Change It All is a nice dose ear candy. Sweet to the listen.

Reviewed by Deesha Dyer for Giant Step
January 2006
View Deesha’s profile: www.giantstep.net