Floetic [Bonus Tracks]

1	Big Ben 1:54
2	Floetic 4:06
3	Ms. Stress 3:52
4	Sunshine 4:15
5	Getting Late 6:46
6	Fun 4:15
7	Mr. Messed Up 4:21
8	Say Yes 4:28
9	Hello 4:08
10	Headache 4:03
11	Hey You 5:04
12	If I Was a Bird 5:03
13	Opera 4:00
14	Subliminal
15	Butterflies Bonus Track / Demo Version 4:03
16	Now You're Gone (More Than I Can Feel) Bonus Track 4:51

Barnes & Noble

The latest export from Philadelphia's flourishing neo-soul scene is Floetry, a British-born duo comprising sweet-voiced singer Marsha Ambrosius and sultry rapper Natalie Stewart. On their debut album, Floetic, the pair fuse soul and spoken word, recalling the pleasing sounds of Lauryn Hill and Philly sister Jill Scott. The catchy, spirit-lifting lead single, "Floetic," hails the duo's arrival on the scene: "We're Floetry/And we're all right/I'm the floacist/All right/She's the songstress...," although the ladies sound more like seasoned music industry vets than new kids on the block. Perhaps that's because prior to this album's release, Floetry penned ear-catching songs for Glenn Lewis, Jill Scott, Bilal, and, most impressively, wrote the breathtaking ballad "Butterflies" for Michael Jackson's otherwise flawed comeback, Invincible (as a bonus track, Floetry's version of the song is included here). Still, the prolific pair wisely saved a few lyrical gems for Floetic -- from groovy, up-tempo jams such as "Big Ben" and "Mr. Messed Up" to sensual ballads such as "Say Yes" and "Ms. Stress." With their affirmative lyrics and distinctive blend of poetry and song, Floetry may outlast many of their more one-dimensional contemporaries. Tracy E. Hopkins

All Music Guide

Singing "songstress" Marsha Ambrosius and spoken word "floacist" Natalie Stewart have concocted a smooth, sultry, and soulful album with the help of producers Darren "Limitless" Henson, Keith "Keshon" Pelzer, Vidal Davis, Ivan "Orthodox" Barias, and Andre "Dirty" Harris, whose combined credentials include Bilal and Jill Scott. The album includes some faster hip-hop tracks such as "Opera," but it tends toward mid-tempo grooves and slow jams with a warm, after-dark chill-out feel. The music is classy and sleek, not raucous or abrasive, and Stewart even says to "turn the music down" during "Headache." The duo may sing about bringing the vibe "from SC5 to Philly's Westside" ("Floetic"), but they also dwell a lot on personal heartache; sample lyrics include "I cry oceans" ("Headache") and "so much pain and misery" ("If I Were a Bird"), and even "Fun" is hooked around the phrase "this isn't my idea of fun." Ambrosius and Stewart are both adept at their respective vocal techniques, but their main strength is the interplay between their two voices; this interplay, like the album in general, is a good demonstration of how contrasting styles can be brought together to form an appealing whole. This CD includes two bonus tracks: the demo version of "Butterflies" (which was a hit when performed by Michael Jackson) and a collaboration with Sebastian Rogers on "Now You're Gone (More Than I Can Feel)." ~ Todd Kristel, All Music Guide

The Source

Floetic's sounds range from street soul bass lines to jazz instrumentals, further enhancing their already distinctive style. Carlos Omar Gardinet