Category: Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

SAVIN’ THE DAY (by Bobby Alessi: Ghostbusters {1984} movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:24 Min.

Recorded by Bobby Alessi for 1984’s Ghostbusters film soundtrack, it appears late in the movie, as the Ghostbusters are cheered on by New York City’s public before heroically entering the haunted high-rise apartment building.

REVIEW:

Between its well-written lyrics and a fun pop melody, this lightweight theme is ideal for Bobby Alessi’s solid vocals. Sporting a catchy up-tempo vibe, Savin’ the Day makes a nice little gem for various playlists, including workouts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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SHALL WE GO (by Tammy Townsend: Unfinished Business)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:32 Min.

From her 2006 album, Unfinished Business, actress Tammy Townsend performs this track. With a steady resume dating back to the mid-80’s, Townsend is perhaps best known for her role as Zendaya’s secret agent mother on the Disney Channel TV sitcom series: K.C. Undercover.

REVIEW:

Having portrayed singers on television before, it’s no surprise that Tammy Townsend possesses a classy R&B voice. Softly elegant and low-key, her vocals are easily this tune’s best asset.

Yet, the standard-issue mentality driving the song’s piano melody is obvious. There’s an effort to incorporate a few jazzy twists, but this element does too little to boost the tune. The track’s abrupt end, after a minimal fadeout, doesn’t help, either. For Townsend’s fans, “Shall We Go” makes a nice find, but the song isn’t necessarily a keeper.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars

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THIS ISN’T THE END (by Sharon Leal: Leal)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 11, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:57 Min.

This romantic ballad appears on actress-singer Sharon’s Leal’s 2014 self-titled album, Leal.

REVIEW:

As to Sharon Leal’s endearing vocals, “This Isn’t the End” is terrific. Yet, the song’s clichéd melody makes her identity as its vocalist irrelevant. More specifically, “This Isn’t the End” is indistinguishable from similar-sounding pop/R&B hybrids by various female performers. Bolstered by Leal’s classy effort, “This Isn’t the End” at least makes a good download among a wide selection of options in this genre.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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MOONLIGHTING (by Al Jarreau: The Very Best of – An Entertaining Adventure)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:04 Min.

Recorded for 1987’s Moonlighting TV series soundtrack, this is the full-length version of Al Jarreau’s opening credits theme song. This jazzy tune was later included as a 2009 track for the late Jarreau’s The Very Best of: An Entertaining Adventure album.

Note: Please note that Moonlighting’s opening credits version has a minute-length running time. That version is available on 1996’s Television’s Greatest Hits, Volume 6: Remote Control album in both CD and cassette formats.

REVIEW:

Epitomizing jazzy romantic pop, the smooth magic of hearing Jarreau croon this tune never grows old. With a silky tone reminiscent of Nat King Cole, Jarreau imbues this upbeat tune with a sense of classiness that so few vocalists can replicate. Not only for TV nostalgia aficionados, this high-caliber track proves ideal for any home or work playlist.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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MAGIC (by Olivia Newton-John: Xanadu movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:31 Min.

This mid-tempo disco track from Olivia Newton-John appears in the 1980 Xanadu film. The movie’s soundtrack eventually made its CD debut in 1998.

REVIEW:

Paired with an effervescent Late ‘70s melody, Olivia Newton-John’s serene vocals make “Magic” a nostalgic treat. It’s certainly a reminder of her considerable talents. This feel-good, practically bubbly romantic tune is a solid download option for radio-friendly playlists, including aerobic workouts.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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SPARKLING DIAMONDS (by Nicole Kidman & Other Cast Members: Moulin Rouge, Volume 2 movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 2:52 Min.

Released in 2001 off Moulin Rouge’s Volume 2 movie soundtrack, the song’s credited performers are Nicole Kidman, Natalie Jackson Mendoza, Caroline O’Connor, Lara Mulcahy, & Jim Broadbent. The Broadway-like song is a fast-paced medley of sorts, including portions of 1949 pop standard “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” and a homage to Madonna’s 1984 hit, “Material Girl.”

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking this high-energy collaboration is meant as a show-stopper. Its flamboyant big band sound alone screams old-school cabaret on a stage as big as life. With Nicole Kidman leading this team effort, “Sparkling Diamonds” is a surefire download option for movie/Broadway tunes and/or big band jazz-themed playlists.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars

Note: As a download double-feature, it makes sense to go with Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever.”

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SURRENDER (by Lalah Hathaway & Pharrell Williams: Hidden Figures – The Album movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 5, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:35 Min.

Performed by Lalah Hathaway and the song’s writer, Pharrell Williams, this upbeat R&B tune accompanies the 2016 film, Hidden Figures.

REVIEW:

“Surrender” sports a wonderful retro-60’s sound. Teaming up, Lalah Hathaway & Pharrell Williams display admirable vocal chemistry bringing this old-school-style, R&B tune to life. It’s definitely a high-caliber download.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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SOMEBODY LOVES YOU BABY – YOU KNOW WHO IT IS {Album Version} (by Patti LaBelle: Burnin’)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date January 1, 2021

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:53 Min.

For her 1991 album, Burnin’, Patti LaBelle recorded this R&B love song.

REVIEW:

Patti LaBelle’s radiant voice is endearing, but the ballad itself is indistinctive. For that matter, there’s one cringe-worthy lyric that’s impossible to ignore. Hearing LaBelle sentimentally coo “you can make a slave out of me,” — no matter its best possible context, even LaBelle’s vocal magic can’t overcome the awkwardness this dubious line conjures up.

Even so, the song’s classy and gentle R&B melody ages well with LaBelle’s performance style. In terms of originality, this ballad might just as easily have been recorded by Anita Baker or Gladys Knight, among others, from that same era. “Somebody Loves You Baby” offers a good choice for any R&B playlist — it just isn’t a ‘must-have.’

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

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I PUT A SPELL ON YOU {Cover} (by Annie Lennox: Nostalgia)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 29, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:32 Min.

Annie Lennox covers the 1956 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cult classic for her 2014 Nostalgia album. Her rendition was subsequently featured in the 2015 film, Fifty Shades of Grey. Lennox would perform “I Put a Spell on You” at the 2015 (57^th Annual) Grammy Awards, as her Nostalgia was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album.

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking this song’s familiar piano-driven melody, as Annie Lennox’s back-up band nails it to perfection. Remaining faithful to the tune’s original sound, Lennox’s vocals imbue a bit more stylish jazz into Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ inspired blend of pop and R&B. Hence, it’s hard to define what musical genre Lennox’s “I Put a Spell on You” actually belongs to, but, for the sake of this review, it seems closer to jazz than pop. To her credit, this classy rendition will stand out as one of the song’s best-ever covers.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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SOMEONE LIKE YOU {Cover} (by Shawn Colvin: One Fine Day movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 21, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:11 Min.

First released by Van Morrison in 1987, Shawn Colvin later covered this tune for the One Fine Day movie soundtrack released in 1996.

REVIEW:

Taking her time, Shawn Colvin solidly renders “Someone Like You.” Her take isn’t distinctive, but its nicely tranquil sound makes Colvin’s pop version certainly a potential keeper.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Note: Dina Carroll covers this same song for 2001’s Bridget Jones’s Diary movie soundtrack. Notably, Carroll’s version is nearly a minute shorter.

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