On her second full-length solo release, Dream Big, Oakland based soul singer Sakai steps to the forefront revealing several sides of her personality: the lover, the independent working woman and the spiritual woman who has faith that she can control her own destiny. This time around she has teamed up with producer/songwriter Darkside, and together they have recorded some funk infused soul music that combines elements of the Detroit and Philly sound with the hip-hop beats of today’s neo soul.
The album’s first single “I Like” begins with a little call and response between Sakai and an un-credited male voice (possibly Darkside), and then launches into a slow, heavy-beat laden number with lyrics that have a primal, almost animal sex overtone. Sakai sings “I left my smell on you / and my lovin’ too / it’s just the way you groove with me,” then she pulls back and flirts in the chorus, “I like kissin’ and I like huggin’ / and I like lovin’ you more.” The guitar playing of Dwayne Wiggins blooms over the programmed beats of Darkside to create a bright and funky groove while Paizley’s keyboards give the track a light touch of orchestration.
“I Need Somethin’” starts off with a steady funk beat that is quickly joined by bumping bass and chiming staccato guitar. Sakai sings about needing a romantic distraction from the everyday grind of work and obligations that come with raising a family. Then, on “More than I Should (Part II),” Sakai and Darkside trade off on vocals as they play the parts of lovers that want to give more of themselves to each other, but suffer from the doubts and fears of rejection and past failures. The song is slower, deeper and more tailored for a slow dance, or a little private romance.
The album’s title track, “Dream Big,” is an inspirational number that encourages us to reach for the stars. It’s like the song you’d hear in a movie during the big montage sequence where the protagonist has almost given in to fate, but then she does some reflecting and decides to pull together everything she has left to give it one last try. This is the biggest production on the album and it gets into the deep soul and gospel aspects of R&B with both a choir and a children’s choir included in the mix.
Among this album’s strengths is the honesty with which Sakai expresses the truths that she has discovered on her journey to this moment; and Darkside’s academic knowledge of soul and its various forms help to bring Sakai’s message to an even higher level. Soul fans, as well as those who like to move to hip-hop beats, will definitely enjoy Dream Big. The CD includes plenty of photos of Sakai as well as a book that includes lyrics and full studio credits.
September 28, 2007 – Chad Adams
