Culture Beat – Metamorphosis

This project went through quite a lot in it's life, so it should come as no surprise that the main singers Tania Evans and Jay Supreme were replaced by the likewise relatively well-known Kim Sanders. Fans didn't like it, the sound itself got a bit more dreamy and pop. In a personal CB ranking, this album ranks only in the last place. However, I think the album is anything but a failure. There are quite a few great points here including a chilling sound, very clean production and an overall good sound. A thoroughly respectable album completion of this great dance project.

Track by Track Review

Pay No Mind: A pretty pop and dreamy delicate dance track, offers a nice melody and was well sung by Kim Sanders. Is worth a listen, but only if you can bear the pop sound. Produced by Tielman/Gräber, both of which have also worked on the previous album. 4/5

You Belong: Reminds you of the opener, might be a bit weaker though. The otherwise very good vocals seem to have been a little too loudly mixed here. 3.5/5

Faith In Your Heart: A chilling, very pleasing downbeat song. Accustomed well sung by Kim Sanders. Not a masterpiece, but pretty solid. Co-written by Tina Harris (Sweetbox). 3.5/5

Blue Skies: More of a real dancer compared to the other tracks on the album. Overall pretty neat. Composed by Christopher Applegate. 3.5/5

Rendez-Vous: Probably the best track on the album. Has a nice groove and is sung excellently. Sure, you might criticize it as very pop, but melodically there is nothing to complain about. I also give a damn if it was on the radio or not. Mainly produced by "Perky Park" (Kammermeier, Hayo, Merziger - later known as Peaches & Cream) 4/5

Guardian Angel: Kind of elegiac intro. A chill track in the experimental style (Glitch + Drum 'n' Bass). The mixture might sound a little strange together with the more delicate voice, but still a decent track. Lyrics submitted by Sanders herself. 3.5/5

Electrify Me: Evans is THE voice of Culture Beat for me. But here it should be clarified that this piece would not thereby become better if she would have sung this. Vocally were/are both on a similar good level.
This erotic RnB track isn't bad by all means, but a personal taste ranks it on the lower half on the album. 3/5

Pray For Redemption: Reminds a bit of "World In Your Hands", does not come close to the 1993 song of course. Rap coming from "N'xt Up". Decent song overall. 3/5

This Is My Time: One of the weakest tracks on the album. Outro is sweet, when Kim Sanders gets frightened ;) 2.5/5

Do You Really Know: Similar to "This Is My Time" a quite average track. 2.5/5

Language Of Love: A lullaby house song, might be a bit too long-winded. Interesting producer in this title: Matiz (U96) and Peter Zweier (Co-Producer on Serenity next to Fenslau). Unfortunately, the only guest appearance of Zweier for Culture Beat until the single Insanity (2001) 3.5/5

Metamorphosis: Although rather unspectacular ambient outro, it fits as a conclusion as strong similarities with the first album track by Culture Beat can be heard (Horizon,1991). Therefore hereby closes a circle. I think that was probably also chosen that way by the producers of this album, to close the chapter of albums by Culture Beat. 3.5/5