If Toni Tone Tony, En Vogue and Tribe Called Quest were to join forces, the result should be an amazing R&B hip hop supergroup. Lucy Pearl comes close to representing such a group with Raphael Saadiq (Toni Tone Tony), Dawn Robinson (En Vogue) and Ali Shaheed Muhammed (Tribe Called Quest's DJ) joining forces to defeat all R&B hip hop groups. The result is an amazing album. Raphael Saadiq performs his magic with guitar, bass and most notably his production. Dawn Robinson captivates with her vocal range. Muhammed lays down some of the phattest R&B beats I've heard in awhile. This trio do pretty much everything themselves, as only one track, "You" has featured artists: Snoop Dogg & Q-Tip.

"Don't Mess With My Man" has one of the most amazing beats I've ever heard. This song is destined for smash hit status if they realease it. I can't get enough. The first single, "Dance Tonight" is an average song compared to the rest of the album. "Remember The Times", provides a captivating tale of the hard times experienced by Raphael Saadiq as a child. "Hollywood," will get stuck in your head, as the track tells the tale of how every star isn't necessarily ready to face the big city.

This album was extremely impressive. I certainly hope that Saadiq, Robinson & Muhammed remain together as Lucy Pearl to put out future albums! Their ability to mix R&B with phat beats and funky guitar riffs while bordering on a hip hop feel makes them a deadly force. If you upbeat R&B and you don't have this album yet, go pick it up now. You wont' regret it!!

www.brockwayent.com

(Originally posted on HipHopCanada.com)

This review was written June 24, 2000