Outrun the Sky
| Outrun The Sky | ||||
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| Studio album by Lalah Hathaway | ||||
| Released | September 7, 2004 | |||
| Recorded | 2003-2004 | |||
| Genre | R&B, soul | |||
| Length | 45:06 | |||
| Label | Sanctuary, Pyramid, Mesa, Blue Moon | |||
| Producer | Mike City, Chris Parks, Rex Rideout, David Delhomme, Lalah Hathaway | |||
| Lalah Hathaway chronology | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |
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| Mojo |
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Outrun The Sky is the fourth album from American R&B singer, Lalah Hathaway. The album was released on September 7, 2004.
In 2003, Lalah Hathaway appeared alongside Sanctuary, Pyramid, Mesa, and Blue Moon Records. In 2004, Hathaway released a cover version of Luther Vandross's song "Forever, For Always, For Love". The song later appeared on the all-star tribute album "Forever, For Always, For Luther". The album features production from Rex Rideout, Mike City, and Chris Parks.Outrun The Sky was also released as an Enhanced CD.
With the roster of 13 tracks, Allmusic.com chose the album picks to be "Forever, For Always, For Love", "Back Then", and "Boston". The songs of album use the instruments of a keyboard, organ, guitars, drums, bass, and trumpet, which were demonstrated on the songs "Better and Better", "Stronger", "If U Ever", and "How Many Times". Allmusic also went on to the describe the album's mood as Warm, Reflective, Passionate, Smooth, Lush, Romantic, Calm/Peaceful, Intimate, Soothing, and Sensual.
The track, "Better And Better" began as a track intended for an Eric Benet album of the same name. His finished track is the same as the one used on this album. Eric Benet's lead and backgrounds were simply removed and Lalah's were added.
Following the album's two singles, Hathaway went on the Daughters of Soul tour. Hathaway toured along with Sandra St. Victor, Nona Hendryx, Indira Khan (daughter of Chaka Khan), Simone (daughter of Nina Simone), and Joyce Kennedy of Mother's Finest.
The album received a review from David Jeffries of AllMusic. David Jeffries responded, "Few mainstream artists can keep the lazy release schedule Don Hathaway's daughter does and retain a strong fan base. It's been a whole decade since Lalah Hathaway released one of her own albums and half that long since she joined Joe Sample for The Song Lives On. It's her warm voice, smooth delivery, and allegiance to fad-free R&B that keeps the faithful patiently waiting. Delivering on all counts, Outrun the Sky is a fan's dream and the singer's best showcase since her debut. While The Song Lives On was more ambitious and in turn brought more fans, Outrun the Sky is a better showcase. Not only does Hathaway cover a wider spectrum of tones and moods but she also producers and writes most of the highlights of the album. Her stream-of-consciousness lyrics for the title track give a more personal picture of the artist and paint her as an approachable dreamer who's as unsure as anyone. Hathaway's inspired writing is responsible for many of the other warm and reflective winners but it's the closing "Boston" that best illustrates how this husky voiced siren can conjure up a cosmopolitan song and deliver it with heart. Including her smoky take on Luther Vandross' "Forever, for Always, for Love" from the Forever, for Always, for Luther tribute is the icing on this cool cake. The ballad-heavy album still has its fair share of grooves that are rooted in R&B but the overall easy temperament isn't going to alienate any of Hathaway's smooth jazz converts. Nice to have her back; here's to a shorter wait next time."
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