on 2012-03-27 Carlita Said:

Stay tuned for my review of Art Dealer Chic Vol. 2 that dropped today!
Rating: 8/10

Review:

on 2012-02-29 Carlita Said:

Hearing about Miguel's latest project, "Art Dealer Chic Vol. 1", I wasn't exactly sure what to think. The Black/Latino eclectric singer/songwriting producer, who started in the music biz at 14 and has written for Mary J. Blige, Usher, Musiq Soulchild and Alicia Keys, clearly just completed a breakthrough year. Periodically tweeting or Facebook posting links to a website, http://www.artdealerchic.com, as the drop date for the EP drew near, a provocative image or video, with inspirational quotes interspersed, would appear sporadically piquing my curiosity further.



Intrigued by his decision to do a free EP for the fans instead of following up his debut with a full-length sophomore effort, the anticipation built. Seemed like a tease to the public craving more "Sure Thing" or "Lotus Flower Bomb", both hitting #1 on the Billboard R&B chart. Also logically wondered would there be a Volume 2?



Initially listening to "Adorn", I surprisingly didn't connect with it immediately as I had Miguel's mixtape and first album repertoire. The drums on the track distracted me and the high-pitch whooping irritated at first. However listening to the song while working out and hearing him perform it live at the Key Club recently, my affection for the 80's Marvin Gaye "Sexual Healing" vibe grew and I now put it on repeat. He blended the right amount of the 3 S's- sensuality, sensitivity and substance.



The next track, "That I Do (FTRMX)", which could've fit perfectly on his debut album, got me dancing and picturing myself in the potential club video in my head (no skanky clothing included). The outdated Sammy Sosa baseball reference at the beginning amused me. Thought the repeating of "Gimme" in the bridge over and over again with a tambourine would annoy but it worked. Ending the EP with "Gravity", a synthesizer and drum heavy track produced by the Fisticuffs duo, tied the artistic theme together. Speaking to his chic chick with which "he creates art" , this song wrapped up the sampler effectively. "Art Dealer Chic Vol. 1", stands as a short and sweet representation of Miguel, the artist, who paints canvases (like the artwork on the cover) and symphonic melodies with equal ease.


Rating: 8/10