The Bottom Line
The Brand New Heavies are back. After foundering for years while apart from one another, the Heavies and original lead singer N'Dea Davenport have reunited and the results are excellent. The group's first new single in years - a cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)," - is a breath or fresh air compared to many of contemporary R&B's over-produced, under-sung songs. The backup single, "Right On" isn't quite as powerful vocally, but has a loose, Funk-tacular sound.
Pros
- The return of N'Dea Davenport to the group.
- Real, live instrumentation.
- A heavy dose of Funk.
Cons
- "Right On" is too empty lyrically.
Description
- Retro Funk.
- Retro Soul.
- Funky, funky party music.
Guide Review - Songs Review: "I Don't Know" and "Right On"
The Brand New Heavies' new CD, Get Used to It is set to be released at the end of June, and the first single, a cover of Stevie Wonder's "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" plus another song, "Right On," are now available for purchase and download from online retailers like iTunes.
Within the first few notes of their version of "I Don't Know Why," it's perfectly clear that singer N'Dea Davenport (who rejoined the group in October, 2005 after leaving more than 10 years earlier) still has an amazing chemistry with band members Simon Bartholomew, Jan Kinkaid and Andrew Levy.
On "I Don't Know Why," N'Dea's strong, powerful vocals express her pain and confusion at being in love with someone who's no good:
I don't know why I love you, but I love ya. Always treat me like a fool, kick me when I'm down - that's your rule ... I never knew how much love could hurt, 'til I loved you.
But the song is far from sad - it's one of those "if loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right" type situations. N'Dea actually sounds so joyous belting out the tune, you can practically see a huge smile on her face.
And while "I Don't Know Why" is clearly meant to showcase N'Dea's massive vocal abilities, the other track, "Right On," is meant to let the other members of the group shine. The vocals are secondary to the massively funky party vibe put forth by the song. The song's mantra is "bring back the Funk in music, put back the Funk in music." And the Heavies do exactly that.
Within the first few notes of their version of "I Don't Know Why," it's perfectly clear that singer N'Dea Davenport (who rejoined the group in October, 2005 after leaving more than 10 years earlier) still has an amazing chemistry with band members Simon Bartholomew, Jan Kinkaid and Andrew Levy.
On "I Don't Know Why," N'Dea's strong, powerful vocals express her pain and confusion at being in love with someone who's no good:
I don't know why I love you, but I love ya. Always treat me like a fool, kick me when I'm down - that's your rule ... I never knew how much love could hurt, 'til I loved you.
But the song is far from sad - it's one of those "if loving you is wrong, I don't wanna be right" type situations. N'Dea actually sounds so joyous belting out the tune, you can practically see a huge smile on her face.
And while "I Don't Know Why" is clearly meant to showcase N'Dea's massive vocal abilities, the other track, "Right On," is meant to let the other members of the group shine. The vocals are secondary to the massively funky party vibe put forth by the song. The song's mantra is "bring back the Funk in music, put back the Funk in music." And the Heavies do exactly that.
