“Tasty as is the back-up band and are the outstanding acoustic arrangements, Ms. Fernandez steals the show with a voice that is as unlikely as her cover photo would have you thinking “funky black chick”. She’s no poseur though. If you have any such notions start with side 3’s opener, a cover of Bill Withers’ ‘Use Me,’ which is from where the album gets it title.” — Music = 10/11; Sound = 11/11 — Michael Fremer, AnalogPlanet.com. To read Fremer’s full review, click here.
Singapore-based vocalist Vanessa Fernandez, 31, has performed hip-hop (Urban Xchange/Parking Lot Pimp) and been a DJ “Vandetta,” or “Miss Vandetta” on Mediacorp Radio’s 987FM. Groove Note and ORG reissue producer Ying Tan decided that Fernandez deserved the audiophile recording treatment and so brought her to Ocean Way Recording in Los Angeles in mid-January 2014 to record this album to analog tape in five sessions.
Fernandez covers Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, Al Green, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes and others in an album filled with funky grooves provided by a stellar back-up band anchored by bassist Leland Sklar, with session guitarist Tim Pierce (Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Patti Smith, Joe Cocker, Michael Jackson) drummer Victor Indrizzo (Scott Weiland, Chris Cornell) keyboardist Jim Cox (Lyle Lovett, Mark Knopfler, B.B. King) and others.
The album of audiophile-quality covers of soul and R&B classics from the ’70s and ’80s was done in an “unplugged” style with acoustic instruments and arrangements used on all of the tracks. Vocals are tremendously dynamic (no compression or limiting used), with superb presence and detail for all other instruments including the drum set.
The album introduces and throws the spotlight on the fantastic voice of the Singaporean vocalist Fernandez. The song selection includes tunes by Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Isaac Hayes, Earth Wind & Fire, Bill Withers, Al Green and others.
This is a great group of top LA musicians backing superlative performances by a great new singer!!!
There are many records and labels who declare themselves to be of “audiophile quality.” Groove Note records all of its albums at the best studios in Hollywood (Oceanway, Record One, Cello, Sunset Sound) using a top Grammy-nominated recording engineer, Michael C. Ross. All Groove Note albums are recorded 100% analog and the production masters are also mixed by 100% analog by MC Ross.
LP 1 – Side A:1. I Just Wanna Be With You2. Be Thankful For What You Got3. Distant Lover
LP 1 – Side B:1. Hard Times2. That Loving Feeling3. Simply Beautiful
LP 2 – Side C:1. Use Me2. I Love You More Than You’ll Ever Know3. Cool Cat
LP 2 – Side D:1. Here But I’m Gone2. Be Thankful For What You Got (Alternate Mix)