Product description

Irish pop-R&B singer Samantha Mumba has tried to distance herself in interviews from the likes of her teenage peers Britney and 'N Sync. Unfortunately, her resistance to embrace that side of music has led to an album without a strong theme or voice to distinguish Samantha from the rest of the pack. Her voice is lovely, and songs like "Gotta Tell You," "Believe in Me," and the odd, Bowie-sampling "Body II Body" are frothy enough to pack the dance floor, while "Lately" swoons perfectly and "Isn't It Strange?" has a fantastic, swirling atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. The rest is filler that always sounds vaguely like some other better-known song. Given stronger songs and production, Mumba (with her exotic looks and strong-but-not-showy vocals) will be a U.S. superstar. Until then, she'll just have to settle for being promising. --Ally Kearney

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Irish pop-R&B singer Samantha Mumba has tried to distance herself in interviews from the likes of her teenage peers Britney and 'N Sync. Unfortunately, her resistance to embrace that side of music has led to an album without a strong theme or voice to distinguish Samantha from the rest of the pack. Her voice is lovely, and songs like "Gotta Tell You," "Believe in Me," and the odd, Bowie-sampling "Body II Body" are frothy enough to pack the dance floor, while "Lately" swoons perfectly and "Isn't It Strange?" has a fantastic, swirling atmosphere reminiscent of a carnival. The rest is filler that always sounds vaguely like some other better-known song. Given stronger songs and production, Mumba (with her exotic looks and strong-but-not-showy vocals) will be a U.S. superstar. Until then, she'll just have to settle for being promising. --Ally Kearney