Free Yourself [Import]

The biggest dilemma for what to do with Fantasia was obvious from the end of the competition - Soul or RnB. The younger market (i.e. RnB) won here. Fans of Fantasia from her American Idol 3 performances should approach with caution - with a couple of exceptions, the backing band and vocal rawness is gone, and beats and polished production are in.

My biggest regret is that the producers (and maybe even Fantasia herself) have turned what could have been the NEXT Aretha Frankin into just another RnB/Hip Hop singer in an already crowded market.

Sadly (and I really regret having to say this) - this album doesn't live up to her American Idol performances. Most albums start great and trail off towards the middle and end - this is almost the opposite. The opening 'Ain't Gonna Beg' isn't the start I'd have liked - it's a little sterile and not the statement of intent it should have been. 'Free Yourself' is better, but there's just no meat to it either. 'Truth Is' is again just okay - just more slow RnB by numbers. I'm no record producer - but whoever came up with the track order needs a slap.

Track 4 - 'Selfish' is where things pick up (finally). Finally a bit of that Fantasia attitude comes through, with an unusual melody (courtesy of Missy Elliot).
From here - it's all good. 'Summertime' is a great rendition - with an excellent arrangement. It's the first time on the album you think "WOW - that girl can SING!". Trademark vocal gymnastics, emotion and sheer class. The other AI3 song - 'You Were Always On My Mind' is good - but it doesn't compare to her show performance (I'd have preferred less arranging on the backing).

As for the rest of the new tracks, the loud and proud 'Baby Mama', slow beat 'Got Me Waiting', band beat and clap funk 'It's All Good', old soul sound 'Good Lovin'', 'Don't Act Right', introspective 'This Is Me' are all good tracks - and it's taken me a long time to appreciate that (it's almost odd hearing Fantasia singing songs I'm not familiar with).

The final track, the single 'I Believe' is, in my opinion one of the standouts. Okay, it may be clichéd and too pop for some, but it certainly shows off Fantasia's voice to it's absolute full (goosebumps every time I listen to it). For me, there just wasn't enough on this album that comes close in style or performance.

I'd have loved to have heard just a few more AI3 songs on here (surely there was some room for 'What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?' and 'Something To Talk About'!!!).

I started reviewing this with an idea to give it two stars, then three and now four stars. It IS a grower of an album, so give it the attention it deserves like I did - it's worth it!

Enjoy.

I had such high hopes, and when I first saw the album, I did not hesitate in buying it.

Fantasia, I hate to say this, but what on earth happened? Where is that magical, INDIVIDUAL spark that you showed us on American Idol?

I was hoping for something as beautiful, and unique as Fantasia herself. Instead, what I got was the same old run of the mill R&B that hundreds (if not thousands) of other singers are churning out by the bucketload, which is keeping all the GOOD music off the radio airwaves... Sure, Fantasia has an awesome voice, but it is totally lost in this album...

I hope that the next album will bring back the spark, and soul of the lady with the most incredible voice of this millenium.