LALAH HATHAWAY

LALAH HATHAWAY

OUTRUN THE SKY

by Dawn! E. Robinson

16 October 2004

Fans of LALAH HATHAWAY have been waiting a long time to hear a new recording from her. HATHAWAY's dark, rich vocals were featured on most of the songs on her 1999 collaboration with jazz legend Joe Sample (The Song Lives On). But it has actually been TEN YEARS since HATHAWAY's last solo CD, A Moment. HATHAWAY returned in October 2004 with OUTRUN THE SKY.

OUTRUN THE SKY is a 13-song collection with a balanced mix of upbeat, mid-tempo and ballads that are all very good displays of HATHAWAY's vocal ability. HATHAWAY had more input here than on her first two solo CDs - she wrote or co-wrote nine of the songs and co-produced seven of them. Most importantly (to me, anyway) HATHAWAY is SAAAAAANGIN' on this CD - her dulcet, soul-soothing tones are just flowing freely and tastefully in and around the melodies and harmonies.

It is rare that I like an entire vocal CD these days - or even half of one. I either love the vocals, but don't like the songs; or the songs are good but there's too much going on in the arrangement or production that drown out or take away from the vocals. I can honestly say that I like most of the songs on OUTRUN THE SKY and absolutely LOVE how well HATHAWAY is singing on the whole CD. It is such a cliché to say that there is something for everyone on this CD, but there really is: trendy danceable beats on "Back Then," "Better And Better" and "In The End;" a smoothie-jazzie vibe on "How Many Times" and "If You Ever". At any rate, I think that LALAH HATHAWAY fans and anyone who likes to hear a good singer sing well will dig this CD.

HIGHLIGHTS:

"Forever, For Always, For Love" - HATHAWAY is singing this one, not only from the heart and soul, but from her FEET! (This one is also featured on the Luther Vandross tribute CD, Forever, For Always, For Luther)

The very very (pronounced ve ve) funky "Admit It" (and the reprise on bonus track that closes the CD) - all I can say is get out your neck brace!

The meditative "Outrun The Sky," the guitar-driven, sudo-pop-infused "Stronger," the laid back "More" and the pensive-reflective "Boston" are perfect examples why one should never try to label or categorize a singer like LALAH HATHAWAY

"We Were 2" - this one I've heard her sing live two or three times and I was really looking forward to hearing this recorded. Check out the rhythmic "whoa's" in harmony on the vamp - you'll wanna slap somebody or throw a shoe or something. You better sing, Ms. Lalah!!!

If you haven't already, go find OUTRUN THE SKY by LALAH HATHAWAY at your favorite place to buy music and add it to your music collection.

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