Review
A crossroads hinted with nostalgia, "Mama Said" by Lenny Kravitz unfurls best under the soft glow of a setting sun. This enchanting time of day echoes classic rock, funk, and soul elements from the '60s and '70s, as embodied in tracks like "Always On The Run," featuring the charismatic roaming fingers of Slash on guitar. Kravitz draws mesmerizing influence from icons like Led Zeppelin, Sly Stone, and Curtis Mayfield, as evidenced by the vibrant rhythms and melodic reminiscences infused throughout pieces like "Stand By My Woman" and "What Goes Around Comes Around," echoing Lennon and Mayfield, respectively.
Deeply reflective, "Mama Said" rings with Kravitz's emotions, driven largely by his cloth of experience, knotted by a marital breakup with actress Lisa Bonet. This heart-touched backdrop unfolds narratives of love and resilience in memorable tunes like "Stand By My Woman" and anyone's perennial favorite, "It Ain't Over 'Til It's Over." It's an amalgamation of feeling that grips you, spun with Kravitz's raw passion and intimate conveyance.
The album's march through periods of musical diversity finds life in collaborations with remarkable talent, such as Slash's effortless co-writing and performances and contributions from Sean Lennon and Karl Denson on saxophone. Critically, though mixed, some reviewers found themselves enraptured in his artistry's embrace, truly displaying his knack for blending the yesterdays of rock and funk with today's soulful emotive brushstrokes. Despite claiming its place in a year brimming with musical titans, "Mama Said" carved its own legacy, ascending commercially to double platinum status in the States while swinging to number 8 on UK charts – a testament to Kravitz's command over his craft and popular appeal. - Aurora
