Estelle
Shine
Release Date: Apr 29, 2008
Genre(s): Rap, R&B
Record label: Atlantic
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Album Review: Shine by Estelle
Excellent, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating 4/5
West London-born vocalist Estelle’s 2004 debut record, The 18th Day, barely cracked the UK top 40 despite massive hype, but lucky for her, she got a second chance. This time around, John Legend scooped her up for his new label and hooked her up with all the big American names. And sure enough, the Kanye-assisted American Boy is at the top of the UK charts and will soon be huge on these shores as well.
Based on rating 8/10
The debut album from London native Estelle, 2004's The 18th Day, stalled at number 40 on the U.K. chart. Uneven and tentative but not without a handful of major standouts -- like the wistful and animated "1980," where she displayed her MC'ing chops, and the Mary J. Blige-worthy slow groove "Dance with Me" -- it wasn't enough to further her label's support.