Time to Grow

Thats what Lemar gave us lyrically from his first album on the track "Dance (with u)". I was quite unimpressed. But how the man as a singer and song writer has improved.

"Time to Grow" is just excellent. A UK artist bringing out this quality is not often found but Lemar has proved that he is the UK's premier soul singer and on this evidence he cannot be touched.

The opening track "Soulman" is a throwback to the 70's and Lemar has a point to make, which is that no matter what he is portrayed as, he is a soul singer first and formost. And for this soul music lover this track is heaven.
"Better Than This" is just a beautiful track. No doubt this will be a single. His voice is smooth, the tune is seductive and it don't get better than this! This is real quiality RnB/Soul which has the crossover appeal yet stays in the classic soul mode.
"I Don't Mind" is a continuation from track two but slightly more upbeat.

Track four is "What If?". I would identify this as one of the weaker tracks. Although the album is filled with so many great tracks I might be being a bit harsh. His voice again is just superb.
"Call Me Daddy" is a cool track. Bit more of a story in this one. This is one of the tracks where you can see his development as a songwriter. Hes looking at situations and telling his story in a way that will connect to his listeners.

Track six is the first single "If There's any justice" which most of you would have heard by now. Sounds like a throwback to the motown era. Its a great track. Loved it when I first heard it. Still love it now.
"Don't Give it Up" is track 7. Im totally in love with this song. Its got that 90's rnb feel. Its just amazing. Another canidate for a single. Is soulful, funky and simply excellent. Check this track out.

Track 8 is the title track "Time To Grow". Not really feeling this one yet. Voice is great as usual but ill have to keep listening to this one.

My Fave track on the album is track 9. "Complicated Cupid" Already a candidate for rnb track of 2005. Its just amazing. The melody and music arrangement make it so catchy. I love it. Buy this album just for this track!
Brian Mcknight leds his songwriting talent on track 10 with "Maybe Just Maybe". A relationship theme which will connect with many. A magnificant song.

"Feels Right" is track 11. Its more gospel driven in terms of its music and melody. Nice to see a change in style. Its a real swayer.
Track 12 is "All I ever do my boo part II". On this first album part one was included which was one of few highlights from his debut set. This again is a great track where lemar demonstrates a more american rnb side.

Track 13 is the bonus track which is Lemars version of the Darkness "I believe in a thing called love" in which he includes portions of Marvin Gaye's "Whats Going on" and Kaci & Jo Jo's "All My Life". A fusion of everything included. A great take on a song which you would have never thought it could sound like.

Overall
Lemar has proved to me that he can give the world some quality material. This album suprised me as I was not that impressed with the debut. He is the Uk'S premier Soul Man. And Long may it continue.

1/Soulman - Very good choice for the opening track, it just sums up what Lemar's voice and his music are all about.

2/Better Than This - Not one of the strongest tracks, but fantastic still. The verse and chorus have a good beat, whereas the bridge brings in some classic R'n'B.

3/I Don't Mind That - The first slow-ish song on the album. Again, not the strongest track but very good for just listening to whilst chilling.

4/What If? - The first ballad on the album. Very good vocals, and is lovely to hear the soft piano melody playing in the background. Reminds me of 'Lullaby' from the first album.

5/Call Me Daddy - Fantastic lyrics! When I first saw the title I thought it was odd... but after listening to the lyrics it's just a lovely song. The song is about miscarriage and how the parents of the child feel about what could have happened. It's just lovely, that sums it up for me.

6/If There's Any Justice - The first single from the album. Cool song, Lemar's voice sounds great on this song. Yet again, not the strongest track in my opinion, but it's darn good.

7/Don't Give It Up - One of the best songs on the album in my opinion. The beat throughout the song is great, combines the usual with clapping. Makes you wanna dance, but has a good melody also.

8/Time To Grow - The second single and title track from the album! Wonderful ballad and Lemar's voice, again, is just beautiful on this song. One of the best on the album.

9/Complicated Cupid - Good song, good beat, good to dance to. No real depth in it for me. None the less, excellent party track.

10/Maybe Just Maybe - Another ballad-y type track. The chorus has a nice melody as does the whole song. Nothing really stands out for me, but is a nice song.

11/Feels Right - One of the best songs on the album! Definately one of my favourites. It's just so different to the rest of the album, it has a 50's vibe to it. I think it's fantastic, really original and suits Lemar's voice perfectly.

12/All I Ever Do/My Boo (Part II) - I hate to say this (I'm sorry!) but this just fills like a filler track... it's almost the same song as All I Ever Do (My Boo) on the first album (Yeah, I can see that was kind of the point...) but it would have been nice to have some thing a little bit different to it!

13/I Believe In A Thing Called Love - Definately one of the strongest tracks. A cover of The Darkness' hit done, mixed with extracts from 'What's Goin' On' by Marvin Gaye and 'All My Life' byt K-Ci & JoJo. Absolutely fantastic song, is just Lemar and a guitar. Lemar's voice is just amazing on this track and it's not just an oridnary cover... Lemar has totally turned this track around. In my opinion, it's better than the original (but that's just me... many will disagree I'm sure)

Overall this album is fantastic, there is not ONE track that I dislike. I am always listening to it... and after seeing him live last Thursday I am also quite obsessed (he touched my hand WOOO!) 10/10 from me!