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Rating: This album, or this project, dated 2005, marks the debut of a talented singer, Nicole Scherzinger. First and foremost, it is a good production by Timbaland and his collaborators, also featuring some covers.
'Don’t cha', which everyone has heard at least once, opens the record in an engaging way where Nicole delivers her voice by sighing and murmuring, exuding sensuality that sends shivers down your spine; this sensuality is countered by Busta Rhymes’ intervention, intended more to balance Nicole’s tone. This is followed by 'Beep', which repeats the formula with an even more provocative and lethal Nicole, where the beep censors some very desired areas, in this case by Will.i.am. 'Wait a minute' features Timbaland instead, with more or less the same metric, where vocally, Nicole alternates in a conversational register urging someone to leave her alone and not try to win her over with gifts.
'Stick with you' is a slow piece, where Nicole has a sweeter voice, and I still like it a lot, reminiscent of the great Michael Jackson. It is followed by 'Bottoms', which ties perfectly back to the first two, another spine-chiller, with a chorus ending each line with a prolonged and sensual Yes, also featuring muffled notes. 'I don’t need a man' is still lively but, in my opinion, less interesting. Next is 'Hot Stuff' by Donna Summer, with very banal disco samples, the only standout being the chorus.
'How many times, how many lies' in classic R&B style, also leaning towards soul, given Nicole's skill. 'Bite the dust' takes up the melody of Aliyah’s masterpiece 'Try again', while 'Right now', a cover of Mel Tormé sticks faithfully to the genre and is close to jazz, featuring also quite high notes perfectly hit by Nicole in the chorus. 'Tainted love' is another very popular cover, of which I don't think this is the best version; the same goes for 'Feeling good'. The edition I own also contains a bonus disc which I did not appreciate and seems just to raise the price, with useless remixes and 'Sway' another very popular cover, and 'Flirt' between rock and disco, which I do not like.
While waiting for Nicole’s solo CD, I think this is nonetheless very nice and catchy.
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By Bisius
With all the poor people dying of hunger, these queers are paid billions, no, but what do I say BILLIONS, to offer us the usual whores who shake their asses, show their pussy, dance strictly nude, and blow kisses to the audience.
Please tell me that moment is still far away. This is not a review but a reflection I would like to share with all of you.
