Music Review: French DJ-producer David Guetta throws a big party on ‘One Love’
By Mesfin Fekadu, APMonday, August 24, 2009
Music Review: Guetta’s new CD is one big party
David Guetta, “One Love” (Virgin Records)
Listening to David Guetta’s “One Love” is like partying at a multilevel European nightclub — bright colors shining, speedy beats bumping and intoxicated (or sober) boys and girls dancing the night away — all while vocals from R&B singers blast in the background.
And the club’s VIP section is packed: The Black Eyed Peas, Ne-Yo, Akon, Estelle and Kelly Rowland make guest appearances on “One Love.”
Though all those stars lend solid vocals to “One Love,” the songs that feature the lesser-known singers are what make the CD an enjoyable one.
“Missing You,” featuring R&B singer-producer Novel, is top-notch; Kanye West protege Kid Cudi’s gritty singing tone blends well on the gloomy, but upbeat “Memories”; and on the CD’s closing track, the futuristic love song “If We Ever,” Makeba shines.
Chris Willis, who has worked as the main vocalist on Guetta’s past three albums, is probably the best collaborator on the disc, helping make “Gettin’ Over” and “Sound of Letting Go” both club-ready and radio-friendly.
Guetta’s power as a producer is evident on “One Love,” which also features a remix of the Black Eyed Peas’ No. 1 jam, “I Gotta Feeling.” He also produced the original.
CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Most scornful, at-the-edge songs are sung by female divas, but Novel represents for all the men who are over it as well on the exceptional “Missing You.”
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