Jaguar Wright - Love Need & Want You 2001

Biography by Ed Hogan

Philadelphia-based singer/songwriter Jaguar Wright's name can be added to the list of such Philly-based neo-soul talents as Grammy Award-winning rap band the Roots and multi-platinum hitmakers Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild. She grew up in a household where secular music was forbidden, so her earliest musical influence came through attending church events, social gatherings, and weddings where her father would sing. Still, Wright got her fill of such favorites as Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and Minnie Riperton by attending parties and listening to music while her parents were away. She started performing as a rapper in a group called Philly Blunts and later began doing background vocal work for artists in Philly, New York, and New Jersey. After impressing Scott Storch of the Roots, she was added to the lineup of the Black Lily, an acclaimed performance showcase held at the Five Spot in Philly, and later toured with the group on the Okayplayer Tour. Wright also earned rave reviews for her background vocal stint at Jay-Z's MTV Unplugged appearance in December 2001 and released her debut album (Denials Delusions and Decisions) early the following year through the Roots' Motive label. Divorcing Neo 2 Marry Soul followed in July 2005.


Review Denials Delusions and Decisions by Jason Birchmeier

Jaguar Wright's debut album, Denials Delusions and Decisions, arrived at a perfect time, just as the early-2000s neo-soul movement led by similar female vocalists such as Jill Scott and Mary J. Blige was at its peak. A few years earlier, Wright probably wouldn't even have been given a major-label contract; however, she debuted in early 2002 with not only a substantial major-label marketing push courtesy of MCA, but also a stellar roster of producers -- Scott Storch, James Pyser, and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson -- and a high-profile appearance on Jay-Z's MTV Unplugged broadcast, where she sang backup vocals, just as her album was hitting the streets. And while it's easy to compare her to all the other early-2000s neo-soul divas, she's no Erykah Badu (she's a bit more street-orientated), she's no Aaliyah (she has more attitude), and she's no Alicia Keys (she isn't nearly as radio-ready); instead, Wright lives up to her "Jaguar" persona, being sexy and seductive but still vicious and somewhat of a femme fatale (for instance, in her liner notes she addresses her "enemies," "x-boyfriends," and "old sex partners"). And though it's difficult to look past her alluring image and persona and focus exclusively on her music, you don't really want to; it only adds an additional dimension, being incredibly analogous -- again, sexy, seductive, and vicious. However, even when you do focus exclusively on her music, you can't help but be effected by her overall aura. It's not just how she sings, what she sings, or the music she sings over; it's the synthesis. She exudes sassy soulfulness and sensuality. And her producers are the perfect match, all of them laying down smoked-out beats that are as informed by hip-hop as they are by '70s soul -- the most hip-hop-informed moment being her collaboration with Black Thought, "Ain't Nobody Playin'," clearly the album's crossover single; the most soul-informed moment being her cover of Patti Labelle's "Love Need and Want You," clearly an ode to her Philly soul roots. So just when you thought the early-2000s neo-soul movement was starting to get a little marketing-driven, albums like this come along and remind you that soul music never died with the rise of hip-hop in the early '80s; it just took a decade or two to rediscover itself and be embraced by a new generation.

Source Allmusicguide

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jaguar
• Wright
• Soul
• NEO
• Philly
• Roots
• R&B
• ArchieGe

[SASIND1]

You always post the best music! Thanks!

[ArchieGe]

@SASIND1

Thank You !! :D

[shayboogie1231]

SHE KILLED THIS!

[SidewalksOfNY315]

Excellent cover to a classic song! You have to blessed with a set of pipes to cover any of Patti's songs! Good upload!

[prettytone1000]

@SidewalksOfNY315

I feel you on this one.

T-bone

[titaalysha]

She really did it justice. No one can do it like Patti, but Jaguar is a beast in her own right and she definitely has the chops to do some work on this song!!!!

[THELASTILLWILL]

the 80"s were the best R&B decade ever, its hard to remake those songs but Jag did her thang as usuall. her & MJB my favs!

[MrDEREKGREENE]

SHE NAILD DIZ SONG...I LIKE BOTHE VERSIONS

[loried23]

My FAV version!

[mykieduzit1]

love it!!!

[BTLaBelle]

@mllequi

no one does better than the original. not anyone.