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Heralded as a prodigious talent in her teens, Laura Izibor has spent the better part of the past four years being groomed for success. The official line is that it's been time well spent perfecting her long-awaited debut statement to the world, but, given that much of the music herein has been floating around in some capacity for the better part of two years, the delay seems to result from uncertainty over how to market her: as a classic soul singer in the Aretha Franklin vein, or a contemporary R&B hitmaker in the Alicia Keys mold. In truth, the conflict is never really resolved, and it leaves somewhat of a sour taste in the mouth, for Let the Truth Be Told could have been much, much more. It starts brightly, literally, with the ebullient opener, "Shine," an uplifting horn-infused number with a soaring and infectious chorus, the kind they're not supposed to make anymore. And she's equally adept at more introspective tones -- in truth, she's in her element. Izibor's songwriting prowess comes to bear on tracks like "Mmm...," which she has the confidence to arm with nothing more than a hummed chorus, and the vulnerable/confrontational "Don't Stay," during which she boasts: "Don't stay, if you don't wanna stay/Baby I'll be OK/Believe me when I say, 'I'm gonna be alright.'" This ability to change roles and switch styles is Let the Truth Be Told's most endearing feature, but it's not without its drawbacks. The comparisons with Keys are by no means unjustified: both combine vocal dexterity with instrumental (piano, in both cases) prowess, but while Keys' mix of soul and hip-hop is well studied and refined, Let the Truth Be Told often feels like an attempt to shoehorn her way into a genre she's not quite prepared for. Witness the irritating glitch vocal samples that litter the otherwise impressive "From My Heart to Yours," or the clumsy, overly simplistic beats that pepper the likes of "I Don't Want You Back" and "Perfect World." These are not chronic problems, but they do take the shine off an otherwise solid debut for a promising young singer.
© Dave Donnelly /TiVo
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Steve Lunt, Percussion - John Ellis, Keyboards - Laura Izibor, Composer, Piano, Writer, MainArtist - Future Cat, Producer, Mixer, Programmer - Graham Dominy, Recorded by - Joel Grant, Bass - Joshua McKenzie, Drums - Paul Farr, Guitar
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Steve Wolf, Drums, Additional Producer, Programmer - Steve Lunt, Producer - Tim Roberts, Assistant Mixing Engineer - Laura Izibor, Composer, Producer, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Billy Joe Stein, Organ, Wurlitzer - Mark McCabe, Percussion, Additional Programmer - Ryan Dankanich, Mixer, Baritone Saxophone, MixingEngineer
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2008 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
John Hanes, MixingEngineer - Serban Ghenea, Mixer - Tim Roberts, Assistant Mixing Engineer - Laura Izibor, Composer, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Cora Venus Lunny, Viola, Violin - KNS, All Additional Instruments - Mark McCabe, Additional Recording - Brian and Josh for KNS Productions, Inc., Producer
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2008 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Ciaran Byrne, AdditionalEngineer - Jonnie "Most" Davis, Mixer - KNS, All Additional Instruments - Mark McCabe, Engineer - Brian and Josh for KNS Productions, Inc., Producer - Jason Oglesby, Drums - Tommy Hayes, AssistantEngineer
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Steve Lunt, Additional Production - PHIL TAN, Mixer - C. "tricky" Stewart, Producer - Laura Izibor, Composer, Piano, Additional Production, Writer, MainArtist - Mark Goodchild, Recorded by - Andre Bowman, Bass - David Luther, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone - Infinity, Drum Programmer - J-Dot, Additional Recording
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Scott Jacoby, Drum Programmer
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Scott Jacoby for SCOJAC Music Productions, Producer, Recording & Mixing - Zach Lloyd, AssistantEngineer
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Steve Lunt, Shaker - Laura Izibor, Composer, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Scott Jacoby, Drums, Organ, Piano, Programmer, Bass, Clavinet - Scott Jacoby for SCOJAC Music Productions, Producer, Recorded by - Gavin Ralston, Guitar - Marva Hicks, Background Vocals - Owen Nestor, Trumpet - Saunders Sermons, Trombone - Tony Carfora, Saxophone
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Piano, Vocals, Writer, MainArtist - Scott Jacoby, Drums, Organ, Drum Programmer - Scott Jacoby for SCOJAC Music Productions, Producer, Recording & Mixing - Zach Lloyd, AssistantEngineer - Marva Hicks, Additional Background Vocals - Tyrone Johnson, Guitar, Bass
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Kevin Johnson, Drums - Laura Izibor, Composer, Writer, Additional Background Vocals, MainArtist - Zev Katz, Bass - Joseph Joubert, Organ, Piano - Scott Jacoby, Additional Recording - Dave Darlington, Recorded by - Scott Jacoby for SCOJAC Music Productions, Producer - Tyrone Johnson, Guitar - Ant, AdditionalEngineer - Broadway Inspirational Voices, Choir - Darius de Haas, Additional Background Vocals - Jarrett Boyd, Additional Background Vocals
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Performance, MainArtist
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States 2008 ℗ Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Laura Izibor, Composer, Writer, Performance, MainArtist
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2008 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Michael McElroy, Choir Arranger - Laura Izibor, Arranger, Writer, Performance, MainArtist - Joseph Joubert, Arranger
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2007 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
Album review
Heralded as a prodigious talent in her teens, Laura Izibor has spent the better part of the past four years being groomed for success. The official line is that it's been time well spent perfecting her long-awaited debut statement to the world, but, given that much of the music herein has been floating around in some capacity for the better part of two years, the delay seems to result from uncertainty over how to market her: as a classic soul singer in the Aretha Franklin vein, or a contemporary R&B hitmaker in the Alicia Keys mold. In truth, the conflict is never really resolved, and it leaves somewhat of a sour taste in the mouth, for Let the Truth Be Told could have been much, much more. It starts brightly, literally, with the ebullient opener, "Shine," an uplifting horn-infused number with a soaring and infectious chorus, the kind they're not supposed to make anymore. And she's equally adept at more introspective tones -- in truth, she's in her element. Izibor's songwriting prowess comes to bear on tracks like "Mmm...," which she has the confidence to arm with nothing more than a hummed chorus, and the vulnerable/confrontational "Don't Stay," during which she boasts: "Don't stay, if you don't wanna stay/Baby I'll be OK/Believe me when I say, 'I'm gonna be alright.'" This ability to change roles and switch styles is Let the Truth Be Told's most endearing feature, but it's not without its drawbacks. The comparisons with Keys are by no means unjustified: both combine vocal dexterity with instrumental (piano, in both cases) prowess, but while Keys' mix of soul and hip-hop is well studied and refined, Let the Truth Be Told often feels like an attempt to shoehorn her way into a genre she's not quite prepared for. Witness the irritating glitch vocal samples that litter the otherwise impressive "From My Heart to Yours," or the clumsy, overly simplistic beats that pepper the likes of "I Don't Want You Back" and "Perfect World." These are not chronic problems, but they do take the shine off an otherwise solid debut for a promising young singer.
© Dave Donnelly /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 13 track(s)
- Total length: 00:48:45
- Main artists: Laura Izibor
- Composer: Laura Izibor
- Label: Atlantic Records
- Genre: Soul/Funk/R&B R&B
© 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States ℗ 2009 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States
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