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Summer may be long gone, but you still need a break from work or school. So if you’re looking for some fun electronic party music, check out DJ David Guetta’s One Love.
Guetta has put together a powerful line-up of soul and hip hop vocalists for his fourth studio album, highlighting twelve cuts of pure electronic dance music.
This CD features vocals that, for the most part, are not only energetic but passionate. It attacks with a punch right from the start, with the hit, “When Love Takes Over,” featuring Kelly Rowland, formerly of Destiny’s Child. This is one of my favorites of the CD, as is the title track, “One Love,” with R&B singer Estelle. The electronics complement her sweet but powerful voice instead of overpowering it.
Kid Cudi’s vocals on “Memories” embrace rhythmic lyrics with well-integrated music. “Missing You,” with singer Novel, seems to have come straight from the club. “Sexy Bitch,” featuring Akon, and “On The Dance Floor,” with will.i.am and Apl de Ap, are the best dance cuts. However, the high points for me are the two songs featuring former gospel singer Chris Willis. While “Getting’ Over” combines old-school R&B with contemporary techno, I prefer Willis’s “Sound of Letting Go,” where the electronics are better integrated, complementing his potent, soulful voice.
This album is not without its flaws, though. Some cuts, while danceable, are just mediocre in other aspects. Rowland joins hip hop artist Ne-Yo in “Choose,” a familiar-sounding dance tune. Also, will.i.am’s other contribution, the final cut on the album, “I Wanna Go Crazy” sounds just ordinary, both lyrically and musically.
However, the main shortcoming of One Love is when Guetta adds electronics that aren’t incorporated well into the song. Guetta produced the Black Eyed Peas’ party hit, “I Gotta Feeling,” but the remix on this CD is disappointing compared to his and their original. The fun and lively sound has given way to electronics that just don’t seem to fit; that is, they seem to be added just for the sake of it. Of course, that’s often the problem with today’s remixes. In any event, though, even these songs still fit the bill for danceable music.
If you’re looking for something innovative or original in the electronic genre, you won’t find it here. This is commercial music to the max, featuring rap, hip/hop, and R&B. However if you’re looking for fun club music with danceable beats and strong vocals, then I’d recommend One Love.
