Review: Faith Evans – Incomparable

In 1994 Faith Evans signed with Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Entertainment and the platinum recording artist has been known as a powerhouse diva ever since. As one of the executive producers of the TV show R&B Divas she has branched out with her input into several successful creative projects. Now she’s back with her sixth studio album titled Incomparable, a follow-up to the R&B Divas compilation album headlined by Faith Evans with contributions from her cast mates and fellow songbirds, Nicci Gilbert, Monifah, Syleena Johnson, and KeKe Wyatt, as well as Kelly Price and Fantasia. Of Incomparable she says that this is her best album yet because conceptually it tells the story of her romantic life post-divorce. This is the first time Evans has legitimately experienced singlehood, having been married most of her adult life. She was with her second husband for fourteen years after being married to The Notorious B.I.G. for two and a half years prior to his death in 1997. Of Biggie, she says, he was her first true love and though their marriage was tumultuous with his relationships with other women, notably with rapper Lil’ Kim, she would never hold on to any grudges over him since he’s not here. In recent interviews, Faith Evans announced a duets album with The Notorious B.I.G. as her next project, an album that would include unreleased material from the late rapper.

Musically speaking, Incomparable is not too far off the radar of the type of vibe we expect from Faith. She does what she does well, therefore many of the songs are reminiscent of her signature “You Used To Love Me” vibe with the tempos and samples from the golden era of 90s Hip-Hop and R&B. The album starts off with the churchlike prelude and sassy opener “Thank You Good Night”. The lead single “I Deserve It” features her personal friend Missy Elliott and protegee Sharaya J. The song samples R&B group Blackstreet’s “It’s A Physical Thing” and the feel good upbeat track is written by her daughter Chyna Griffin, making it a true family affair. The title track “Incomparable” hits with a familiar 80s soul funk, while “He Is” unfolds as a classic down home churchy blues, similar to Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feel Good”. “Paradise” is a fun song featuring Karen Clark Sheard of gospel royalty The Clark Sisters. But the album is not without its weak spots. “Fragile” is the shadow of a sample from Jose Feliciano’s “California Dreamin’” while “Make Love” featuring Keke Wyatt pales in comparison to 1995’s “Come Over”. The unassuming highlight of the album is hearing Faith flex her MC skills. Dropping an autobiographical rhyme on the track “Thank You’s (Outro)” she has a natural swag that would make Biggie proud as she shouts out her team of collaborators and loved ones. Though the record has its share of church-lady-getting-freaky references, at the end of the day, there is an audience who enjoys what she creates and her faithful fans will always embrace what she does.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is currently living a decade long bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. Many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for Incomparable

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Incomparable

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure