Lenny Kravitz’s 5 Album Set is an interesting offering as it presents a series of studio albums in slim cardboard sleeves, not unlike that of the CD single of yesteryear. Yes, this is a budget collection and will likely not appeal to all collectors, but with a price just over AU$20, it is a compelling offering for those of you who are looking to complete an artist’s collection or obtain an album that you’ve been unable to get as its now out-of-print. It also makes for a great gift. While many will declare this budget offering off limits, I appreciate that I’m getting the full CD quality masterings and to be quite honest, I don’t mind the slipcases. Yes, the absence of liner notes is a contentious point, but it is ultimately about the music. Nevertheless, for this Lenny Kravitz fan, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to own a substantial amount of his back catalogue, for what I consider to be a very reasonable price, for I’ve always loved his hits and consider Are You Gonna Go My Way as one of the greatest releases of the 90s.
That being said, the 5 Album Set is not without its issues. On 5, we only get the original 13-track album. Admittedly, the purist in me should be happy with this outcome but American Woman, an incredible Kravitz cover, is sadly missing, making this collection somewhat incomplete. No, I don’t regret the purchase, but I lament this missing classic.
Another slightly frustrating element is that the CDs included in this collection are generically printed with the 5 Album Set styling. Other comparable releases, use the original CD artwork and simply cut down on the liner notes. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but it would have been a nice touch if the CD artwork had matched the original releases.
Regardless, it is the music that we’re ultimately here for, so join me, dear reader, as we delve deep into Lenny Kravitz’s back catalogue of albums that include Let Love Rule, Mama Said, Are You Gonna Go My Way, Circus, and 5.
Recorded between 1988-89, released in 1989, Let Love Rule introduced Lenny Kravitz to the world and quite remarkably, for a debut release, Kravitz was the sole producer, primary writer and instrumentalist for the entire album. While Mama Said and Are You Gonna Go My Way would catapult Kravitz to levels of success that he always dreamed of. Let Love Rule wasn’t an immediate hit but it did prove just how talented Kravitz is. Like many debut releases, if you’re looking for one that is as highly polished as Mama Said or Are You Gonna Go My Way, you’ll likely be disappointed, but the rawness of Let Love Rule is part of its appeal. Hence, as you listen to this album, take note of the sonic cues that Kravitz would further develop throughout the years, ultimately creating an instantly recognisable sound signature.
Sitting On Top Of The World is a great opener with a musical presentation that is a little eclectic but strangely appealing.
Let Love Rule is a killer tune. I just want to close my eyes and be captivated by Kravitz’s performance. Plus, I’m a sucker for the saxophone and Karl Denson did a stunning job on this track and the jam-style of Let Love Rule is extraordinary. While I generally dislike abrupt endings, such as that heard here, it flows perfectly into Freedom Train.
Freedom Train will get you head-bopping from the very first note. There is a freestyle element here where you don’t know the direction the song is going to head to next. Usually, I would dislike this approach, but in this case, it is done so well that I rarely notice it and it is certainly not a distraction.
My Precious Love is a beautiful song. It is vocally raw and musically full. Recorded and mastered with care, you’ll feel like Kravitz is in the room with you. There really isn’t a word, or series of words, in the English language to describe just how exceptional My Precious Love is.
I Build This Garden For Us is a great rock tune. As I listen, it reminds me of The Beatles and would have worked perfectly on Abbey Road had it been written by Lennon-McCartney. It wasn’t, so Kravitz should be praised for creating a masterpiece. Sensational!
Fear is a solid song that takes a few listens to really get into. That isn’t a bad thing, it is merely an acknowledgement that Fear is rather a complex and detailed composition and therefore to truly connect with it, you’ll need to listen more than once. Doing so results in a thoroughly enjoyable experience that gets better upon each play.
Does Anybody Out There Even Care is a solid song. A B-side, yes, but a valued addition to Let Love Rule.
Mr. Cab Driver has a punk rock feel to it. It’s a little left of the centre and could be argued that it doesn’t quite suit Kravitz, but I’m enjoying it too much to give it a second thought.
Rosemary is beautiful!
Be is incredible. The low-end is magnificent and is arguably the drive that makes Be such a good song. Of course, I also enjoy Kravitz’s vocal style here. There isn’t anything to dislike about Be as it may be on the B-Side of the album but it is most certainly one of the best songs on Let Love Rule and I’d argue is one of the greatest songs in Kravitz’s catalog.
Blues For Sister Someone is raw, yet smooth. The contrast is a little jarring until you just go with it and let it be the song that Kravitz wanted it to be. Then you find the rhythm, appreciate the contrast, and it becomes a much-loved addition to the CD release of Let Love Rule.
Empty Hands is another CD bonus track and it isn’t bad, but it isn’t anything to write home about either.
Flower Child as the closer for the CD releases of Let Love Rule isn’t a bad way to close out the album but I’d argue that the CD should have had the same track lineup as the LP because Be was exceptionally stunning offering a compelling reason to listen to the album again and stay within Kravitz’s back catalog, whereas Flower Child doesn’t give me that same feeling.
Let Love Rule isn’t the first Kravitz album I opt to play, but as it was his first it plays a significant role in his history and there is little doubt that if you’re interested in Kravitz’s work, then this album is one that should most certainly be in your collection. No, not all songs are exceptional. There are a few B-sides, but there isn’t a single song on Let Love Rule that disappoints. Instead, some songs feel as if a little more production could have been put into them, for they sound incomplete or unrealised, but then that could be said about so many debut albums. Overall, there is some magnificent music to be heard on Let Love Rule.
Recorded in 1990, released in 1991, it’s challenging to think that Mama Said was only the second album from Lenny Kravitz, for his approach to rock, pop, and soul is nothing short of an extraordinary experience.
Fields Of Joy is an incredible opener. Kravitz’s vocal is so pure throughout and that gradual build and vocal pitch shifts are thoroughly enjoyable. It also has a killer guitar solo; thanks Slash!
Always On The Run features Slash again, and so it should considering it was a co-written effort between Kravitz and Slash. It has incredible rhythm and you’ll find yourself reaching for the volume to turn this masterpiece up. One of Kravitz’s greatest songs? I think so! The musicality is off-the-charts and the brass section is simply incredible.
Stand By My Woman slows the album down a little, but it flows incredibly well from Always On The Run. The diversity on many of Kravitz’s albums, but especially on Mama Said, places him in good standing with the likes of Prince for the diversity of skill and creative influence. Yes, there may be some diehard Prince fans that disagree, but I don’t mention it disparagingly as it is complementary to both Prince and Kravitz. Stand By My Woman is pure gold and I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I love singing the chorus as the song plays.
It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over definitely has a Motown 70s feel and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s a great tune and while I tend not to seek this song out, I love it when it comes on.
More Than Anything In This World is one of the most unique songs I’ve ever heard and is one of Kravitz’s true masterpieces. The technique employed here to make it sound as though we’ve just walked into the room, and the song is midway through, is sensational.
What Goes Around Comes Around is a considerable sonic shift following the smoothness of More Than Anything In This World. Nevertheless, What Goes Around Comes Around is a solid tune but isn’t anything to write home about.
The Difference Is Why is a beautiful song. No, it was never going to be a hit, but as an album song, it’s absolutely wonderful.
Stop Draggin’ Around has a B-52s vibe that I adore.
Flowers For Zoe is such a delicate tune. Kravitz takes his vocal right to the edge and holds it perfectly throughout the song. The overall musical style here is mind-blowing with a cello track that is so perfectly suited to the song it has to be heard to be believed.
Fields Of Joy (Reprise) helps to move the musical style gradually from Flowers For Zoe to All I Ever Wanted. That said, I have mixed feelings regarding the use of the reprise. The question one must ask is if it was really necessary and I’d argue that in this case, it wasn’t. One problem I have with this reprise is that it is simply too long, being close to the length of the original.
All I Ever Wanted is a killer song with an incredibly deep drum beat along with Sean Ono Lennon’s subtle piano element that ultimately was a thoroughly rewarding collaboration from a listener’s perspective as it is arguably a perfect song. The diversity between the elegance of the musicality and Kravitz’s near screaming vocal will not appeal to everyone, but should never be dismissed for I feel it is absolutely masterful as there was a real possibility of the merging of styles going wrong.
When The Morning Turns To Night is a B-Side that subsequently isn’t great, sounding closer to a demo than a fully realised song.
What The …. Are We Saying? is a great song that perfectly complements Kravitz’s style and is perfectly suited to Mama Said.
Butterfly is short and sweet, but as the closing song on Mama Said, it compels me to listen to the album again and stay within Kravitz’s exceptional catalogue of music.
Mama Said is nothing short of extraordinary from start to finish. It doesn’t matter how many times I listen to this album, I never tire of it.
Recorded in 1992, released in March of 1993, Are You Gonna Go My Way is arguably Kravitz’s greatest accomplishment as a musician. Yes, Are You Gonna Go My Way was incredibly successful from a sales perspective, but as an album I feel it is a masterpiece, only being overshadowed by Kravitz’s 2000 release, Greatest Hits.
Are You Gonna Go My Way has to be one of the greatest opening riffs on any album that has ever been recorded. The song is exceptional and that rhythm is off-the-charts. Nothing more really needs to be said about this incredible song other than to suggest you turn the volume up and enjoy!
Believe is a sonically beautiful wonderland and one of the very best songs Kravitz has ever recorded. The musicality here is one reason why I consider Kravitz to be in the same league as Prince. The guitar solo, drum beat, and the entire soundstage are so good that words simply cannot accurately describe the feeling you get when listening to this song.
Come On And Love Me has a distorted backbeat that is irritating, meaning that I don’t connect with this song and while I never skip over it, Are You Gonna Go My Way wouldn’t be the same without it. I consider Come On And Love Me to be a B-side at best.
Heaven Help is beautiful and is a welcome change after Come On And Love Me.
Just Be A Woman is simply gorgeous.
Is There Any Love In Your Heart has a killer hook and overall musicality.
Black Girl is a solid B-side with a little too much post-production for my liking. It just adds a little too much reverb and while I understand the technique somewhat, I’m not sure it was needed and as such, I would love to hear an acoustic version of Black Girl for I feel it would be extraordinary.
My Love is brilliantly hypnotic. I love it!
Sugar has a fun 70s vibe and is a great song.
Sister is one of the greatest songs on the album and is one of my all-time favourite Kravitz recordings, although the addition of transmission noise in the right channel can be a little distracting.
Eleutheria is a great closer with a tone that immediately reminds me of Bob Marley & The Wailers, but that comment should be seen as complementary. Eleutheria is a solid closing track that encourages me to listen to Are You Gonna Go My Way again and stay within Kravitz’s back catalogue of music, but I have to be honest when I say that I now want to go and listen to Legend: The Best Of Bob Marley And The Wailers.
Are You Gonna Go My Way is the one album of Kravitz’s that you must own. It is equivalent to Stevie Wonder’s Songs In The Key Of Life, John Lennon’s Imagine, or Prince’s Purple Rain. Yes, dear reader, you really can ignore all other albums, unless you find yourself interested in Kravitz’s Greatest Hits, and simply pick up Are You Gonna Go My Way for what is arguably the very best of Lenny Kravitz.
Recorded between 1994-95, released in September of 1995, Circus failed to reach the same heights as Are You Gonna Go My Way, but in saying that it, if it were to have followed Let Love Rule or Mama Said, then it could be argued that it wouldn’t have been overshadowed and most likely would have been better received by critics and fans alike.
Rock And Roll Is Dead must be the song that Gene Simmons seems to always be referencing. However, you certainly wouldn’t know it when listening to this hard-hitting rock tune. From the first note, you know you’re in for a treat and the rhythm is off-the-charts. It’s a shame, however, that Kravitz didn’t get Slash back into the studio for this song for his style and tuning would have been a perfect fit for the song.
Circus is a killer slow rock tune that will have you head-bopping to the groove. Incredible!
Beyond The 7th Sky isn’t as polished as many of his previous rock tunes. It’s a solid tune, don’t get me wrong, but when you know you’re listening to a Lenny Kravitz song, you expect a little more.
Tunnel Vision similarly, isn’t the strongest song on Circus. As with Beyond The 7th Sky, it is solid, but a little unimpressive given the music that Kravitz wrote on Mama Said and Are You Gonna Go My Way.
Can’t Get You Off My Mind reduces the tempo with a near-country tune that while somewhat different to Kravitz’s usual style, works extraordinarily well. I particularly enjoy the immersive mix as this song has plenty of layered musical elements that make it thoroughly enjoyable to listen to. It’s one of the best songs on the album with a killer guitar solo.
Magdalene is a mixed bag. I enjoy it, yet I feel as though something is missing. It is as if Kravitz could have taken the song further, but decided that this was good enough. Perhaps a remixing would fix the song, but I dare say this is one song that Kravitz simply didn’t have his heart in and while I acknowledge he produced Circus, it would be interesting to see if an independent producer could have got a stronger performance out of him.
God Is Love is magnificent. The musical style, from the first note, just works. It’s hypnotic and I could listen to this song on repeat indefinitely.
Thin Ice has a killer introduction, setting the tone for the entire song and as much as I adore Kravitz’s vocal style, I could seriously go for an instrumental version. A great song!
Don’t Go And Put A Bullet In Your Head has a serious groove that gets your body moving and Kravitz’s vocal delivery is stunning.
In My Life Today isn’t a bad song, but in a similar manner to Magdalene, it’s a mixed bag and in this particular case I feel as though the song is trying to do too much when a little more focus may have made it a standout track. Nevertheless, as part of the album experience, Circus wouldn’t be the same without it.
The Resurrection is sonically magnificent and encourages me to listen to Circus again while staying within Kravitz’s back catalogue. Perhaps the only disappointment of this song is the muddiness of the drum beat. I know it’s a style, rather than poor mastering and brickwalling, but it would have been spectacular to have the depth that an incredible drumbeat can give to the soundstage as I feel the song is well placed in the centre listening position, along with the left and right channel effects, but it is all too forward and I really want to hear a little more depth. Nevertheless, it’s a great song that I thoroughly enjoy.
Overall, Circus is a mixed bag; more sideshow than the main event. However, if one were to listen to Circus independent of Kravitz’s other albums, then you would likely find it thoroughly enjoyable.
Recorded throughout 1997-98, released in May 1998, 5 delivers a musical experience that is more reliant on pop culture influences than Kravitz’s traditional rock-infused sound. That isn’t necessarily bad as it’s certainly diverse, but it does take a little getting used to, especially if you play the album back to back in chronological order with Kravitz’s previous albums.
Live kicks off 5 interestingly. Live is a song that arguably is a compilation of all the styles that Kravitz is renowned for, yet it simply doesn’t work. My mind finds this song to be rather confusing, especially with regard to the rhythm. While initially promising, Live ultimately fails to impress.
Supersoulfighter is a fun song, especially the introduction, but I feel it somewhat falls apart after the initial minute. That isn’t to say that I dislike it as it grows on me the more I listen to it and it closes out well, it just has a disjointed moment that one has to contend with.
I Belong To You is utterly brilliant!
Black Velveteen is a B-side at best, it isn’t great.
If You Can’t Say No would have been a great song if it were not for that incessantly annoying morse code synth element.
Thinking Of You is nothing to write home about. It simply exists and the reliance of synth instrumentation has again undermined what could have been an exceptional song.
Take Time is a great song with a solid rhythm and a killer vocal track.
Fly Away is one of the greatest songs on 5 and is one of Kravitz’s best recordings. I love it!
It’s Your Life is thoroughly enjoyable with a fantastic and enveloping soundstage. A great song!
Straight Cold Player isn’t a bad jazz-meets-funk tune.
Little Girl’s Eyes is a beautiful song and while I question the overuse of synth elements throughout 5, they are applied to Little Girl’s Eyes tastefully, thereby adding to the soundstage and song overall, rather than detracting from it.
You’re My Flavor is a solid B-Side. Nothing to write home about, but flows well when listening in the album format.
Can’t We Find A Reason? is a solid closer on this edition of 5 and if it wasn’t for the disjointed song selection, I’m certain that Can’t We Find A Reason? would give me a reason to play the album again.
5 is one of those albums that will likely only appeal to the most dedicated fans. It isn’t fundamentally bad and I’m all for artistic expression and experimentation, but there are times when experimentation doesn’t necessarily work. Would I like Kravitz to re-record and remix much of 5? Yes, as I’m sure there is an astonishingly good album hidden behind the overused synth elements.
Overall, the Lenny Kravitz 5 Album Set is an incredible collection and while American Woman is missed, and you aren’t getting the full liner notes or original artwork on the associated CDs, you’d be hard-pressed to be disappointed with this collection. Sonically, the CD’s sound beautiful with an incredible soundstage that harks back to mid-90s pre-loudness wars mastering techniques. The only way this collection could sound any better is if it were on vinyl. However, I am fortunate enough to own the Blu-ray High Fidelity Pure Audio release of Are You Gonna Go My Way and it is significantly better with a more detailed and broad soundstage with a sound signature and mastering that simply sounds right. That isn’t to suggest that the CD is flawed, it isn’t, but the Blu-ray Audio release takes Are You Gonna Go My Way to new levels of enjoyment and immersion.