Over the past few years several artists have attempted to transfer critical acclaim overseas in the U.K. into commercial success here in the States. Next up to bat with the support of John Legend is Estelle Swaray, a London-bred rapper/singer, who is the first artist to come out on his Homeschool record label. But who is Estelle? Is she a singer that raps? Or a rapper that sings? In actuality she’s an artist who is adept at both that lets the music dictate what she does. Her stateside debut Shine explores the many sides of love & shine is just what she does throughout the album.

She kicks things off with “Wait A Minute (Just A Touch)” featuring & produced by will.i.am. Over a sample of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins “I Put A Spell On You,” Estelle lays down the ground rules to a perspective suitor that she’s fully in control of how far things will progress between them. While not complex with her wordplay, she commands the beat well & puts on a good show. Her lead single, “American Boy,” uses the same beat as “Impatient” from will.i.am’s Songs About Girls. In what almost sounds like a falsetto, Estelle sings about her infatuation with American guys. She’s joined by Kanye West, who delivers his verses in an entertainingly bad English accent.

“No Substitute Love” finds Estelle breaking if off with a cheating boyfriend. Over a doo-wop inspired background, her rich, deep voice is the star. Far from being a woman scorned, “Come Over” & “In The Rain” find her recounting the better aspects of love. The former is a nice mid-tempo dancehall ballad, while the latter employs a sped-up soul sample. On “You Are,” Estelle teams up with John Legend for another ballad. She closes out the album with the title track “Shine,” produced by Swizz Beatz. He laces her with a upbeat percussion fueled track for her to let loose on. He almost forces her to rap to the beat & it makes you wish that she did more of it on the album.

Shine succeeds because Estelle takes command of the album, despite all of the big name contributors. She managed to get tracks from Wyclef, will.i.am, Jack Splash, Mark Ronson, & Swizz Beatz yet still maintain a cohesive sound throughout. Jazz, R&B, Dancehall, & Hip-Hop are all mixed together almost perfectly. The sequencing of this album allows the album to flow well. She also holds her own when paired with the likes of Cee-Lo, Kardinal Offishall, Kanye West, & John Legend. She doesn’t allow them to take over the track & be featured on her own song. The only drawbacks are that the wording stays simple throughout & you’d like to hear her rap a little bit more. Regardless, Estelle is a great artist and her stateside debut is solid to say the least.

4 CIGARETTES

For more info, visit www.myspace.com/estelleonline.

Previously Posted — Estelle Featuring Kanye West – American Boy (Video) | Hi-Tek’s “Life To Me” Featuring Estelle | “Across The Board…”