Unless you have been dancing to polka music the past year, you would be hard pressed to have not heard at one point the massive hit dance track "Let Me think About It" (purchase/download) by Ida Corr and Fedde Le Grand. The success of that song has helped introduce the Danish singer Ida Corr to the mainstream club and dance scene even though she had been involved in the music scene for a few years now. She has released two solo albums since 2005, while also enjoying recognition for creating a special song for the international music concerts that were a part of the Live Earth event. It was then that she collaborated with Fedde Le Grand and came out with the massive funky dance groove mentioned above that helped put her name on the map. In recognition of her success, the newly-founded dance label Ministry of Sound US has decided to showcase her efforts and release her newest album One as their first release.
One is more or less a collection of songs off her past two albums with the infusion of her newest hits. All but one of the songs on this album are written by Corr and it's here that we realize that not only is she talented as a singer, but she also has the capacity for songwriting and that there is some talent beneath those heavily produced vocals we were introduced to on the last single.
On the first track "Ride My Tempo," we find Corr bringing us a dirty R&B dance track that brings the beat down with a great vocal track that seduces us to get on the dance floor and get our groove on in a way that would make Rihanna even jealous. The next track "Late Night Bimbo" takes a 180-degree turn and infuses a little jazz with a big band sound that seems more primed for a Broadway act than a dance album. Of course the album does yet another u-turn in that "Lonely Girl" is a slow mellow tune that is peppered with lush sounds that center around lyrics that ooze heartbreak and loneliness and showcases Corr's ability to explore various levels of music and emotions.
"Mad" (purchase/download) though brings the album back into focus with its jazzy r&b sound that Corr sells with her soulful voice and diva presence that dares you to cross her path, which is where Corr seems to shine. Corr does provide a forgettable track or two on this album and "I'm Your Lady" is definitely one of them since it definitely doesn't stand out like other tracks and seems more like a b-side release than anything and Mr. JB follows suit in that Corr's vocals don't seem strong enough to carry the track because it begs for a real diva to take a hold of it and just throw down which Corr never does. Imagine what Aretha Franklin or Patti LaBelle would have done with it and then you will realize the potential that was lost with Corr.
While Corr's album does have some limitations and some less than forgettable tracks, One makes up for it with the tracks that it does get it right on in which it plays to Corr's soulful and funky side and seems to relish in it. I did expect to find more dance friendly tracks on here than I did but in its place I found a very soulful and easy listen that was enchanting most times and made me see Corr's talent and potential. While I may prefer to listen to her on "Let Me Think About It" on a Saturday night than most tracks on this album, One is definitely a good listen and deserves a few spins before being retired.
Released September 2, 2008 on Ministry of Sound Records.
