Sketches of a Man - Dark Publications

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Editorial Reviews:

Album Description
The 2008 album from Dwele, is Sketches of a Man. This album brings Dwele back to a more gritty, experimental, and non-overproduced sound - one that originally caught listener's ears with his first EP demo Rize released in 1998.

Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Very nice sketch! June 25, 2008
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I'm a fan of Neo Soul crooner Dwele and have his previous studio releases "Subject", "Some kinda", and even a bootleg called "Beat dat". However, I must confess, I was totally unaware that he had a new album coming out until I saw it on my Amazon friend Olukayode Balogun's list of recent purchases (thanks bud).

Well, now signed to a different (and independent) label, Dwele releases the music he's always wanted to; experimental, free flowing and from the heart. His music is still jazz infused retro soul with lovely harmonies.

At first, I was taken quite aback when I saw the tracklist; 20 tracks, blimey!!! However, the songs are not too long (with quite a few being interludes, like the lovely acoustic instrumental "70's" with Marvin Gaye-like harmonies, or the horn sprinkled groovy intro which finds him name checking his previous album titles) and the entire CD runs at just over 60 minutes with quite a few songs segueing one into another.

For slower songs, there's the acoustic "Love ultra", the horn peppered pair of "Travelin' girl" and "Vain", the brief Jazzy meandering "Spiritual" and the piano ballad "I'm sorry (wake the music baby)".

"Free as a bird" is a midtempo groovy number with a sketchy bassline, and similar is the sunny "Shady". The horn sprinkled "Feels so good" features a wall of cascading vocals set to a funky bassline. "Brandi" features Slum Village and is a midtempo Jazzy groove about a girl who loves money. The string swathed "If you want to" features Lloyd Dwayne & J. Tait. "A few reasons (truth pt.2)" has a Reggae feel.

Upping the tempo even more are the pair of "Body rock" (which as others have pointed out sounds like something Usher would do, complete with Techno sounding strings in parts) and the brief "Workin' on it". Both feature edgy driving guitar sounds.

Be warned, there's nothing overtly commercial sounding here. It does take a few spins to get into Dwele's new groove but once you do, you'll find it tough letting go.

2 out of 5 stars

NO GROWTH....VERY DISAPPOINTED...but I still Love Dwele July 31, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful

Let me first say that I have loved Dwele since his first album. The love affair followed into the sophomore album....and has now come to a screeching halt for his junior release. From his vocal displays, to his writing, to the production, to the instruments, to the themes and concepts, I see no growth. This is like the melting pot of his first two albums which were blended, brought to a boil, drained, and laid out to dry- dry being the operative word in this analogy. Nothing about the first few tracks encouraged me to continue listening to this album. If this were his first album, I would have received it better, but the first album was so much fresher and livelier. I really want to give this album another shot, but I can't seem to remember where the album may be. While I look for the album I will try to encourage myself to listen with a less critical ear.

5 out of 5 stars

Dwele's Best June 24, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This album is by far Dwele's best as of yet. He does a great job combining what worked the best on his two previous albums from Virgin while also giving us what allowed "Rize" to get him signed. Tracks like "Body Rock", "Brandi", and "Shady" show great hip-hop influence without sacrificing musicianship. Hearing "Body Rock" one may never even think this is a Dwele track it feels like something Usher would do but Dwele shows us that if he wanted to he could give us some club songs. "Open your Eyes" originally performed by Bobby Caldwell also used in Common's "The Light", might be one of the best songs on the album as it allows Dwele to really showcase his vocal abilities, other songs that showcase Dwele's ranges are "Love Ultra"," Vain", and "Spiritual". Dwele also provides us with the great funk infused jams like "Feel So Good" and "A Few Reasons", a sequel to the classic "The Truth" from Subject. What truly makes this album Dwele's best is the writing he gives us great ballads, several great stories and creative writing in tracks like "I'm Cheatin" where you have to really pay attention. The Slum Village appearance which makes a Dwele album official is there best collaboration since "Tainted" when the world was introduced to Dwele, "Brandi" allows the three to share the track instead of just a rhyme or two after the last hook. This album is definitely a classic and might be the best R&B album of the summer and year, Dwele gave us more than a sketch this is definitely a masterpiece.

5 out of 5 stars

Nothing to Say June 24, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Sit still and listen, you can hear it in the winds Dwele has done it again. I am so full from this Cd's I have nothing to say. This year so far hands down this is one of the best cd's of 2008. Dwele makes you the canvass and his words and melodies become the paint by song 20 you see and become part of his artistry. Dwele gave us more than a sketch this is definitely a masterpiece!!!!

5 out of 5 stars

He did again! June 26, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

A friend of mine turned me onto Dwele years ago with his "Subject" album and I've been a loyal follower since then. I even got to see Dwele on my birthday and he sang to me.

This album will go down as one of his best, along with the others. He takes you on a journey of the relationship between him and his girl (his music). At first listen I was able to pick up that the album is broken into two parts: the first part being the beginnings of the relationships and the second part being past the honeymoon phase of the relationship. The beats on this album are his grassroots. I mean, Dwele makes you feel his music in your soul. "Love Ultra" and "Vain" are my two favorite tracks.

Even if you're just not getting into Dwele, you need to get this album. This will be a guaranteed constant rotation album in my car and iPod. Get yours NOW!

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