TY STEPHENS
DEEPER IN FANTASY
(US Musichameleon Entertainment TSR-02)
Of the various US import CD's that are currently
only available by special outlets, Ty
Stephens'Deeper in Fantasy
is by far the most impressive. On his own Website
(http://www.tystephens.com)
Ty mentions that he draws his inspiration from
classic recordings of such artists as Stevie
Wonder, Al Jarreau and Donny
Hathway, and this really shows from his
second CD - but I hasten to add that I prefer
Ty's latest album to most of the recordings by
the aforementioned musical heroes! Further
comparisons to Jon Lucien and Will
Downing in various magazine and
newspaper reviews actually put Ty in a more
comparable context.
Ty has already been named as the Best Vocalist
in BET's Jazz Discovery competition, and his
debut set Musichameleon received the best R&B
album nomination in 1999 by City Beat Magazine.
So it's almost needless to say that as a vocalist
Ty Stephens does not pale in comparison with
Stevie, Al or Donny. I especially appreciate Ty's
inclination to add throaty intensity and some
dynamic swing into his vocals. However, the most
arresting side of Ty's CD is the individual
approach he has in his self-written songs and
arrangements. The background is a combination of
real and programmed instruments, and most of the
tracks are flavoured by tasty, well-chosen solos
or other outstanding features in the
arrangements.
All the aforementioned makes the CD quite
personal, despite the obvious influences and
sources of inspiration. The opening track
Love Planet reminds me of Luther
Vandross at his very best, the smoothly
flowing ballad Let The Other Guy Go starts
in a serene tone but gradually grows in its
spirit, and Daydream is a truly tasteful
jazz-inclined mid-creeper. Something Strange
is another wonderfully swaying mid-tempo tune
with determined vocals, while the title track Deeper
in Fantasy has a peaceful yet pulsating
ballad setting, over which Ty delivers his strong
vocal lines. Finally, Too Many Gone
continues the musical tradition of Donny Hathaway
in an admirable manner, being the most
penetrating ballad interpretation on display
here.
There's not a weak track on the album,
although I would rather have excluded the rocky
guitar intro from the otherwise effective uptempo
swinger (I'm Just) Here to Be Loved. As
a whole, another main talent to watch out in the
future, and Deeper in Fantasy is
undoubtedly among the top albums this year. -IT
