Album Details

• Artist: Amber Ojeda
• Album: Space.bar.love.
• Label: N/A
• Year of Release: 2011
• ME Rating:
• Reviewed by: carlita on 2012-07-08

Media

Sent Amber Ojeda's Space.Bar.Love. recently, I cherish when fortuitous pieces of music fall into my hands. Visiting Amber's blog, two quotes quickly leap off the web page: "If I am who I think I am, you are in for a real treat" and "We have a responsibility as artists to be exceptional. To be honest. To be expressive. Art is universal. If you are a free thinker, if you have a heart, you are part of the movement. Artists unite." Very bold, self-assured statements to make but listening to Space.Bar.Love, her sophomore effort, this former reality show "Platinum Hit" contestant backs them up immediately.  

Using a clever play on the three album title words, Amber references physical keyboards and orbital romantic abstract concepts yet is able to plant feet back on earth in time to deliver some choice words to her sig other. She thankfully stands as fresh, fly proof that the 90's "neo-soul" movement, more concerned with other things besides "bumping n' grinding", is not dead. Placing her besides Amel Larrieux, Corinne Bailey Rae, "Come Away with Me" Norah Jones, space traveler Erykah Badu and "keep it real" poetess Jill Scott, this was the perfect album to listen to on a Sunday, when the mind can briefly relax and mentally prepare for the hectic activities of the week.

Pressing the "Enter" or "Play" buttons, starting the album with "Comma", the smooth VH-1 soul/jazz vibe washes over you. Miles and Mic Holden join Amber, contributing a few hip-hop verses on "Siamese" and "Insert Here", recalling great jazz/R&B/ hip-hop Jill Scott/Common/Mos Def collabos like "8 Minutes to Sunrise" and "Love Rain". "Supersonic" interestingly reminded me of the 80's Apollonia/Sheila E/Vanity Prince era.  Seemingly wanting to hit the "Delete" or "ESC" buttons on her relationship, she bluntly breaks it down on "Never Be Her" and "Footsteps". A key that doesn't exist on my keyboard, "F13" ends the intergalactic jazz purring, scatting, and softly, smooth singing album sojourn. Frequently wanting to hit the "back space" button and rewind several songs on this record, it was a real treat indeed. Exclamation point.

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