Praiz's 'Rich' album captures the desire for love

The title of the first half of Praiz's double disc album couldn't have a better name. 'Rich' showcases the plush voice of the male singer who beneath his recent pop flirtation is really a soul care soul care bear, caressing any listener with his warm vocals.

'Rich' spans 14 tracks, soulful and flush every step of the way. Quick with the falsetto, and passionate with his delivery Praiz shows that he is home singing this genre of music.

The album starts off with the church-y love ballad 'A Woman's Need', a song that feels it can fit into a Tyler Perry black movie. "This is what she needs. Deep down in her heart. I know because I have tried a million times" sings Praiz with the aura of an experienced man who knows what a woman is looking for.

Praiz lays out the experiences, emotions and feelings a man goes through when finding love. He also expresses the happiness of new found joy, and the inevitable dull when the energy in a relationship fizzles out.

With accented muted horns in the background, and light jazzy piano keys, Praiz yearns for his woman. "Let's leave the world behind, 'cos nothing else matters. Let's vacate by the sunshine" on 'I Miss You'.

On 'If I Fall' Praiz sings about the uncertainties of falling love. "Beyond my imagination, my heart is drifting to you...I surrender to you, your charm. Girl I am falling for you" sings Praiz. He later asks if his girl will fall in love with him also. Uncertain, Praiz's highlights the weakness of not knowing if one's love will be reciprocated. The lyrics might be uncertain, but the instrumental is authoritative, and firm.

"I will climb the highest mountains for you. I will fight to make it okay. I can you hear you cry broken heart. I will save you...I'm flying straight to you" he sings on 'Super Hero'. Determined to save his love from the ghosts of her previous heartbreak, Praiz puts on a cape and sings his way into her heart on marching backdrop.

The pace of the album picks up on 'Heart Beat', a track with a night feel which sees Praiz doing more pleading as he says "let me be the one who gives what you need...cos my heart beats for you." Love is persistent, but with two tracks with the same theme placed back back it might be slightly repetitive to a listener who fails to notice that Heart Beat is an impressive song.

"Baby come closer, come closer" whispers South African female singer Wando Baloyi as she leads Praiz into his lover's heart at last. The quick pace of the album is maintained on this up tempo beat.

It's an EDM (European Dance Music) affair on 'Addicted'. The tempo of the album drops on 'Lost In You' featuring Sammy, but the emotional theme of the album gets stronger on this track. "If they put a brick wall in between us, I'ma paint it red till bleed out" sings Praiz determined to overcome any obstacle.

Praiz lights the candle on the sexual 'Amazing' where he declares "tonight i am gonna celebrate all over your body" 'Amazing' is an ode to 90's R&B that was soft and sensual. Things fall apart on 'Losing It'. Praiz and his boo have broken up. In the song he wonders if it is 'the distance or religion' that tore them apart. "so tell me what love is" asks Praiz on the song.

On this half of the double album, Praiz eloquently and comfortably sings about the emotion that makes his heart throb. Lush, emotional and well produced, Praiz is a singer who uses his richness to sing about love.

Rating 4 out of 5.

Ratings

1-Dull

2-Boring

2.5-Average

3-OK

3.5-Hot

4-Smoking Hot

4.5-Amazing

5-Perfection