2008 Woodie Awards
Trust me: Craig David is OK
Samuel Lam
Issue date: 5/13/08 Section: Student Culture
English R&B singer Craig David turns in his fourth studio album with an upbeat, fresh and funky feel. The album, titled "Trust Me," debuted in American record stores last week after its initial release in the United Kingdom last November.
The title for the album came from the 27-year-old's reflection on wanting to be truthful and honest to his fans, showing his real feelings and emotions.
"I told everyone 'Just give me some space to write a record I like,'" he said in the album's news release. "But with this one I said, 'Just trust me, let me do what I do.'"
Three singles have been released for the album since its release in November and each of those tracks have been quite a fun listen.
The first single, "This Girl," features London-based rapper Kano and takes on a very smooth feel. The song captures a very light emotional side of David, longing for the right girl.
His second single, "Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)" is an exciting dance jam that opens the album up with a breeze of fresh air.
Like many of his previous albums, David brings his ability to rap and sing into the track. This song, which opens with a sample of David Bowie's "Let's Dance," actually made me want to dance.
Not since David's debut album, "Born to Do It," had I really felt him opening up his personal feelings. That album in 2000 featured impressive vocals, but it wasn't enough to help him gain mainstream popularity.
Even though this CD doesn't compare to his first album, it really is a comforting album to listen to.
The album was recorded between London and Havana, which provided David with two different atmospheres for the CD.
David said the atmosphere of the Cuban nightlife helped inspired his dance songs. The influence is most apparent in "Don't Play With Our Love," which takes a hint of the Cuban spice to the dance floor.
A disappointment for this album is the lack of slow jams. The album features many upbeat songs, which isn't bad. But David's his strength is in his voice, which is drowned out by many of these dance songs. And for the slow songs, such as "Top of the Hill," it just seems very out of place in this energetic album.
Tracks like "Officially Yours" and "She's on Fire," though, captures the best of David's ability in R&B.
"Officially Yours" is an amazing song that brings David's voice to the track. Accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, the lyrics of the song bring out the love and soul that has gained David his fame.
The music video, which premiered earlier this month, really shows his ability to capture the audience without having any fancy effects.
"She's on Fire" may be the hottest track off the whole album. With a hint of reggae and rap, it's a track that should make it to the dance floor at every club.
Overall, the album's production flows extremely well. For the most part, there is a strong sense of connection with David.
Even though it might take a few listens through the record to really understand his feelings on the album, you might just have to trust him on it.
I did and it worked.
The title for the album came from the 27-year-old's reflection on wanting to be truthful and honest to his fans, showing his real feelings and emotions.
"I told everyone 'Just give me some space to write a record I like,'" he said in the album's news release. "But with this one I said, 'Just trust me, let me do what I do.'"
Three singles have been released for the album since its release in November and each of those tracks have been quite a fun listen.
The first single, "This Girl," features London-based rapper Kano and takes on a very smooth feel. The song captures a very light emotional side of David, longing for the right girl.
His second single, "Hot Stuff (Let's Dance)" is an exciting dance jam that opens the album up with a breeze of fresh air.
Like many of his previous albums, David brings his ability to rap and sing into the track. This song, which opens with a sample of David Bowie's "Let's Dance," actually made me want to dance.
Not since David's debut album, "Born to Do It," had I really felt him opening up his personal feelings. That album in 2000 featured impressive vocals, but it wasn't enough to help him gain mainstream popularity.
Even though this CD doesn't compare to his first album, it really is a comforting album to listen to.
The album was recorded between London and Havana, which provided David with two different atmospheres for the CD.
David said the atmosphere of the Cuban nightlife helped inspired his dance songs. The influence is most apparent in "Don't Play With Our Love," which takes a hint of the Cuban spice to the dance floor.
A disappointment for this album is the lack of slow jams. The album features many upbeat songs, which isn't bad. But David's his strength is in his voice, which is drowned out by many of these dance songs. And for the slow songs, such as "Top of the Hill," it just seems very out of place in this energetic album.
Tracks like "Officially Yours" and "She's on Fire," though, captures the best of David's ability in R&B.
"Officially Yours" is an amazing song that brings David's voice to the track. Accompanied by a simple acoustic guitar, the lyrics of the song bring out the love and soul that has gained David his fame.
The music video, which premiered earlier this month, really shows his ability to capture the audience without having any fancy effects.
"She's on Fire" may be the hottest track off the whole album. With a hint of reggae and rap, it's a track that should make it to the dance floor at every club.
Overall, the album's production flows extremely well. For the most part, there is a strong sense of connection with David.
Even though it might take a few listens through the record to really understand his feelings on the album, you might just have to trust him on it.
I did and it worked.
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