Minister's son, Michael D'Angelo Archer really made a massive impact with his organic soulful sound on this his 1995 debut.

Making his name on "U Will Know" (Which he co-wrote and co-produced) with Black Men United the talented, multi-instrumetalist Richmond VA native made his own muse apparent here. Instead of following the mainstream definitons of what "R&B" had come to define, D took it all the way back. He clearly is a true lover of peak era soul music, wearing influences like Marvin Gaye, Al Green and Prince on his sleeve. This can be observed right down to a superlative, chilled cover of Smokey Robinson's classic "Cruisin'".

That song is a true highlight and was a single release. As was the anthemic title track, which is a head nodding, drugs/female double entendre (Not unlike The Rolling Stones did with same title 25 years previously) opening, which incoroporates Mr Archer's hip-hop generation roots.

The album has a laid back, jazzy vibe throughout and the Raphael Saadiq co-produced ode to his woman "Lady" exemplifies this.

There isn't a weak song to be found but other favourites of mine include the brooding ...and gospel soaked closing number "Higher". "Dreamin' Eyes" was a worthy single release as well.

D'Angelo took a five year break before his next album but the influence of this album endured all the while and proved one of the main catalysts in the genre the media came to know as "neo soul", although beyond categorisation, this album is just superb music.

Check out the "Live At Jazz Cafe, London" Japanese import CD too for the live experience.

I first heard this album back in '95 when it first came out, and what with me just venturing into rnb music at that time (and being only 15 years old) I really didn't take to this album at all. I wasn't shy to admit it then, and I'm not shy to admit it now, what I lacked then was maturity in my musical tastes.

Back then all I wanted to do was dance, which is how rnb fit in quite nicely. My tastes developed into hip-hop pretty much through BIG, Ma$e, among many others. Still in the dancey stages of hip-hop, that eventually slowed right down towards the mellower/moodier sounds of hip-hop through artists like The Roots, Method Man, Tribe, Nas, Common and Gangstarr (again, among others), and through that route came my undying appreciation for soul music, which is where artists such as Maxwell, Eric Benet, Jill Scott and particularly, D'angelo shine through.

D'angelo has constantly stayed true to his roots and to the music that he puts out there. He breathes life into any track that he features on and is such a credit to the music world. He is almost a symbol of what music should really about - from his writing, to his producing, to his singing, to the instruments he plays. With 2 masterpieces behind him, while he is still in his mid-20's, we can only wait patiently for more.

I hope that hasn't bored you senseless, I just wanted to put my opinion out there.

Thanks for your time.

This is the first CD...whereafter the first listen...I knew it was a classic. I heard everybody in it...Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Blue Magic, Stylistics and The Chi-Lites....I heard music from that short time (1969 - 1975) when R&B was going through its' Renaissance...and was hitting it's artistic peak...before it crashed with the advent of the Disco era (1975-1980). I stopped listening to R&B, knowing it never would reach the heights attained earlier...and I moved to jazz-fusion. But then Prince appeared...and I had hope. It took awhile but D'angelo arrived...and the world is right again. Erykah, Maxwell, Jill Scott, Bilal, Angie Stone....we got a "Nu Thing" going. D'angelo's "When We Get By" has got to be one of the best R&B sides produced in the 90's. "Lady", "Me And Those Dreamin' Eyes Of Mine", "Alright"....damn, the whole album is fantastic!!

The past, the Prince, the present, and the future...all combined on one CD...that is D'angelo's "Brown Sugar". It is absolutely the best R&B album released since Stevie Wonder's "Innervision" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?", The Spinners' "The Spinners" and possibly "Mighty Love". Those 4 are the only CDs I would give 5 stars...although "Who Is Jill Scott?" comes mighty [darn] close!!

The first time I heard Brown Sugar I was at first skeptical because I had heard Voodoo first. But once I absorbed the lyrics, the rythms, and his vocals I was mesmerized. D' is like a cross between Prince, Al Green, and Stevie Wonder all at once and reaches his peak with songs like "Higher" and "When We Get By". The album is a mix of jazz, blues, gospel, and soul. Believe me, this is a cd that any music lover should hear.

D'Angelo's Brown Sugar is definately in a class of it's own. Even years after its release, the CD still captivates listening audiences everywhere. I have yet to find another artist with the talent that D'Angelo exhibits in his lyrics and his music. Moreover, this CD has paved the way for new artists who also show an appreciation for jazz in their music. Nevertheless, the world will only see one D'Angelo.....