Presents His X-Factor, Vol. 1

From URB Magazine
Perfectly illustrating the English phrase "poacher turned gamekeeper," Richard X was at the forefront of the entertainingly subversive bootleg/bastard pop scene last year before being snapped up by Virgin as a sort of one-man UK Neptune - hitmaker to the stars. Part of that deal clearly involved giving X his head on a solo album, and a curiously schizophrenic beast it is. X-Factor features his first two hugely successful (and actually rather enjoyable) chart production jobs (with Sugababes and Liberty X), further collabs with Kelis and Jarvis Cocker (the retro-electro of "Finest Dreams" and Madder Rose-sampling "Into You"), plus surprising contributions from Tiga and ex-Soul2Soulster Caron Wheeler. In between: all manner of hit-and-miss instrumental efforts, two horribly misguided cuts featuring a posh woman who shouldn't be allowed to speak in public, and a couple of genuinely lovely soul tunes. Madness? Genius? Probably both.

Simon Hawkins

Presents His X-Factor, Vol. 1,Richard X,Astralwerks / Emd,Dance,Dance Music,Dance-Pop,Pop

Average customer rating:

another 4.5 but bring up that average

4.5, but it doesn't hurt to round

MASH-UP, BOOTLEG, WHATEVER YOU CALL IT - GENIUS!

This could have been a classic

Presents His X-Factor, Vol. 1
Richard X
Manufacturer: Astralwerks
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000BV1ZK
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

Start
Being Nobody - Richard X Vs. Liberty X
Rock Jacket
You Used To
Just Friends
IX
Lonely
Walk On By
Lemon/Lime
Finest Dreams
You (Better Let Me Love You X4) Tonight
Mark One
Freak Like Me (We Don't Give A Damn Mix)
Into U
End
Being Nobody (Richard X Remix) - Richard X Vs. Liberty X
Finest Dreams (Part 2)

Customer Reviews:

another 4.5 but bring up that average.......2004-09-29

Possibly the most sadly overlooked "pop" or dance album ever. If this album would have received the proper attention in the states it would have been spectacular unfortunately not. Oh well to future generations that realize the brilliance here buy this now.

4.5, but it doesn't hurt to round.......2004-01-31

...and what an x-factor it is! This cd first caught my ears with "Finest Dream", featuring the ever-popular Kelis who seems to be lending her vocals to so many albums as of late, and the ever funky, always thump "You (better let me love you)" (which is my hands down favorite).

When you first put the cd in, you'll almost immediately notice that 80's flair that really makes this album the special album it is. Music should be fun, but also refreshing. This cd does both of those. Here's a selected breakdown:

"Being Nobody" - who can really hate this track? it has some great vocals from the across-the-pond group Liberty X and really sets the tone for the rest of the album. (4.5/5)

"You Used to Hold Me" - mellow, funky, winner (4.5/5)

"Walk on By" - okay here's where it gets kind of shady, song with a great beat but really REALLY lousy vocals (1/5)

"Lemon/Lime" - same vocalist from "walk on by" but the funky breakbeat groove of this track really makes the vocals tolerable (3.5/5)

"Finest Dream" - Definite party starter!! (5/5)

"You (better let me love you)" - Party continues with a guest spot from Tiga (this track is much better than tiga's much overated 'hot in herre') (5/5)

"Freak Like Me" - taking it back to the older school with a nice rework with the Sugababes (5/5)

MASH-UP, BOOTLEG, WHATEVER YOU CALL IT - GENIUS!.......2003-09-10

I didn't want to like this CD, cause it's been so hyped by all the UK dance mags over the past few months, but now that it's finally out domestic on Astralwerks, I gotta admit, Richard X really outdid himself this time - his main technique is deceptively simple, yet complex: take a U.S. soul classic and place an 80s retro/electro-synth pop groove underneath - so we get Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" set over Human League's "Being Boiled" or Thelma Houston's lost classic "You Used to Hold Me So Tight" laid over Human League's "DARE"-era "Dreams Are Made Of" etc - it shouldn't work, but it does, and like gangbusters, as most all the tracks here literally LEAP out of the speakers to make you MOVE! While not brain surgery, this works on the dancefloor AND at home, which can't be said for lots of dance music - it may be branded dance/house, but it's really imbued with a more punk-rock/electro D.I.Y. attitude fitting of the UK scene - but it's quite clear Mr. X has been listening very, very closely to his old 80's JAM&LEWIS 12"s - NOW, I hope the success of this CD might make MCA (now Universal) reconsider finally re-issuing THELMA HOUSTON's long-lost "QUALIFYNG HEAT" LP on CD - listen to the source, learn it, and learn it well!! -

This could have been a classic.......2003-09-05

Richard X has stomped onto the music scene with some fabulous songs, taking artist of today and mixing new records with 80s tracks which really does work. Liberty X are featured with Being Nobody and The Sugarbabes with Freak Like Me. These are excellent dance songs and have done really well in the UK charts. The track You Used to ft Javine sounds like Janet Jackson when she first emerged and Finest Dreams ft Kelis is also another fab record. The only really standout song is You better let me Love you ft Tiga, this is like an old Human League track, Richard X is definatley a fan of the League and this track is a great tribute to them. The only let down tracks are Walk On By, Lemon/Lime and Just Friends. These compared to the rest of the album are quite dull. I was abit disappointed with the album as the songs released so far of of a high standard not leaving many to make the album seem new and refreshing. Its worth a listen though as you will either love it be bored with it.

Average customer rating:

For the blended minds
I would this album

Presents His X-Factor, Vol. 1
Richard X
Manufacturer: Emi
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music

Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000A55N2
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Tracks:

Start
Being Nobody
Rock Jacket
You Used To
Just Friends
IX
Lonely
Walk On By
Lemon/Lime
Finest Dreams
You (Better Let Me Love You X4) Tonight
Mark One
Freak Like Me (We Don't Give A Damn Mix)
Into U
End

Album Description

2003 album features collaborations with Liberty X, Caron Wheeler (Soul II Soul), Kelis, Tiga, Sugababes, & Jarvis Cocker. EMI.

Album Details

Following on from the Massive Success of the Singles "Freak Like Me" featuring Sugababes and "Being Nobody" featuring Liberty X, Richard X Has Completed his Debut Album, "Richard X Presents his X Factor Volume One". It's Not a Bootleg Album, It's Not an Exercise in Hypothetical Pop Music that Works Better on Paper Than in Reality, It's a Slice of Pure Pop Genius and Should Be Seen as Such. A Stellar Cast of Likeminded Collaborators have Worked on the Album Including Liberty X, Sugababes, Javine, Jarvis Cocker, Caron Wheeler, Tiga, Annie, Deborah Evans-stickland and Kelis who is Featured on the Single "Finest Dreams". The Album is a Raw and Unorthodox Affair, an Amalgamation of Influences Ranging from R&B to Early 80's Synth Pop, It's Without Doubt One of the Most Exhilarating and Subversive Albums of the Year.

Customer Reviews:

For the blended minds.......2003-09-26

This a neat little project from RICHARD X. A mixture of old school songs that have been revamped into modern vibes that will entice Generation X, Y or Z. A interesting CD album that will spark conversation among friends. Lot of great stuff coming from ASTREALWEKS that everyone should pay attention too. So don't miss it.

I would this album.......2003-08-31

I dont listen to european music ,all i listen is southside rap and reggae so the fact that i can say that this cd is great should be a legit comment. this is music for those who don't know what it is.