Stage [2]

• Artist: Sweetback
• Rating:
• Release Date: June 22, 2004
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album, Enhanced CD-ROM
• Genre: Rhythm & Blues

Review

Eight years after their debut release, Sweetback return with the mellow follow-up Stage [2]. The group -- guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman, keyboardist Andrew Hale, and bassist Paul Denman (R&B diva Sade's backing band) -- has crafted a laid-back album of retro-soul, contemporary R&B, melodic pop, and mildly experimental electronica. This time around, vocalists Chocolate Genius and Aya take over the lead singer duties from Sweetback's previous collaborators, Maxwell and Amel Larrieux. While the first album seemed like a hip furthering of the work the band did with Sade, Stage [2] feels even more like a side project -- heavy on the electro atmosphere -- with songs so minor and slight that they barely register. In that sense, those Sade fans hoping for more of the same accessible, jazzy, and sophisticated songs she is known for may or may not like this. There are some nice tracks, though, especially the Aya ones such as the atmospheric ballad "Lover," which would have fit nicely on Love Deluxe. Similarly engaging is the melancholy indie pop-sounding "Things You'll Never Know," which brings to mind the best Ivy. On the other hand, Chocolate Genius's woozy psychedelic vibe isn't as charming as Maxwell's dreamy croon, although the darkly acoustic "Jesus Girl" does sound a bit like Terry Callier produced by Jermaine Dupri. While the album isn't fully engaging, fans of quirky R&B looking for a mellow listen may find Sweetback a minor delight. ~ Matt Collar, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Voodoo Breath (Master's Love)	Don Thompson	Sweetback	(5:36)
Lover (Lyrics)		Sweetback	(4:58)
Circles	Don Thompson	Sweetback	(6:23)
All My Days With You		Sweetback	(4:09)
Mountain		Sweetback	(4:43)
Things You'll Never Know		Sweetback	(4:19)
Blue Heights		Sweetback	(3:40)
Love Is the Word (Lyrics)		Sweetback	(4:34)
Jesus Girl	Don Thompson	Sweetback	(5:23)
Circus Waltz		Sweetback	(4:09)
Round and Round	Musze	Sweetback	(7:14)
Sing to Be Safe		Sweetback	(3:55)
Shining Hour		Sweetback	(2:19)

Credits

Aya (Vocals), Aya (Guest Appearance), Bob Brockman (Trumpet), Bob Brockman (Mixing), Paul S. Denman (Bass), Paul S. Denman (Group Member), Steve Fontaine (Assistant), Andrew Hale (Keyboards), Andrew Hale (Programming), Andrew Hale (Engineer), Andrew Hale (Group Member), Stuart Matthewman (Guitar), Stuart Matthewman (Keyboards), Stuart Matthewman (Programming), Stuart Matthewman (Saxophone), Stuart Matthewman (Engineer), Stuart Matthewman (Group Member), Don McKenzie (Drums), Sandra Park (Concert Master), Byron Stingily (Vocals), Mat (Design), Mat (Photography), Mat (Montage), Ivana Santilli (Trumpet), Ivana Santilli (Vocals), Sweetback (Producer), Tom Coyne (Mastering), Ladybug Mecca (Vocals), Chocolate Genius (Vocals), Chocolate Genius (Guest Appearance), Mike Weitman (Engineer), Mike Weitman (Assistant), Bob Mathes (Conductor), Bob Mathes (String Arrangements), Joe Dexter Denman (Bass), Mike Polish (Video Director), Bruce Smith (Drums)

Rockford Fosgate Power Stage 2 T212d4 Dealtime