''LL77'' is the solo debut album by
Lisa Lisa
Lisa Velez (born January 15, 1967), better known by her stage name Lisa Lisa, is an American singer. She rose to fame in the 1980s as one-third of the band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam.
Early life
According to ''Spin'' magazine, Velez was born in ...
, released in 1994.
Production
The album was produced by
Guru
Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverential ...
,
Nona Hendryx
Nona Bernis Hendryx (born October 9, 1944) is an American vocalist, record producer, songwriter, musician, and author.
Hendryx is known for her work as a solo artist as well as for being one-third of the trio Labelle, who had a hit with "Lady ...
, and
Junior Vasquez
Junior Vasquez (born Donald Gregory Mattern, August 24, 1949) is an American DJ, record producer and remixer. He has been referred to as one of the only DJs of his time to gain international attention.
Career
Mattern moved to New York City a ...
, among others. It was Lisa's intention to move away from the Latin bubblegum style of her past by crafting a harder-sounding record.
Critical reception
''
Rolling Stone
''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...
'' wrote that "the songs, along with dependably crunchy rhythms, give up nifty pop hooks."
[ '']Entertainment Weekly
''Entertainment Weekly'' (sometimes abbreviated as ''EW'') is an American digital-only entertainment magazine based in New York City, published by Dotdash Meredith, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books, and popular cu ...
'' called the album "all atmosphere and no guts," writing that "no matter how sultry the drumbeats, Lisa Lisa’s voice is too thin to provide much soul."The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
'' deemed it "brave, flawed and, at moments, brilliant."
Track listing
#"Why Can't Lovers"
#"I'm Open"
#"The Great Pretender"
#"Skip to My Lu"
#"Covers"
#"Mr. Jimmy"
#"Knockin' Down the Walls"
#"When I Fell in Love"
#"Acid Rain"
#"If This Is Real"
#"Make It Right"
#"Same Old Thing"
Singles
References
{{Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
1994 debut albums
EMI Records albums
Pendulum Records albums]
Albums produced by Guru