Very strong album with consistently good tracks. Cannot see (or hear) how it's like Maxwell, Sade or Brand New Heavies, nevertheless a very soulful, smooth and well produced album. Trust me, I'm not a doctor.
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Victor Sila plays upbeat, Highlife influenced Synth-Pop and silky, seductive contemporary R&B
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'Waiting', the debut album by the San Francisco Bay Area-based Victor Sila, is a commendable presentation of sonic art by this self-produced and self-financed artist. Mr. Sila is also affiliated with fellow independent Bay Area-based R&B singer Natalie Brown, who contributes background vocals on many of the tracks you will find here. 

It took Victor about seven years to make this album a reality, making 'Waiting' all the more special. 'Waiting' it is a testament to Victor Sila's determination to complete his work and live out his life to the fullest. The best way to describe Mr. Sila's voice is to liken it to a soulful version of Enrique Iglesias. Like Iglesias on songs like "Sad Eyes" and "Rhythm Divine", it has that same, laid back feel, with a soothing easiness about it. 

There are four songs that I feel best represent what this album has to offer. The four songs (in order of personal favorites) are: "Breaking My Heart", "Night & Day", "People Will Always Make You Cry", and "I Will Give In"

The music that makes up the midtempo "Breaking My Heart" is splendid; it has a midly carefree, tropical feel to it. While the subject matter is more on the somber side, the song communicates a happy feeling to me. There is a great electric guitar solo in the bridge of the song, and I for one love to hear guitars utilized on R&B tracks...one of the trademarks of R&B from the mid to late 1980s. "Breaking My Heart" in my opinion is ready for radio and/or television. This is my favorite one, and the track that made me think, "this sounds like something Enrique Inglesias would do..."

"Night & Day" is a nighttime ballad all the way - nighttime on a warm balcony (with tiki torches...overlooking the beach) somewhere on vacation with your loved one. A great follow-up to "Breaking My Heart", "Night & Day" has a great saxophone solo in the bridge. This song has a quiet storm/smooth jazz feel to it, and adds a Maxwell-esque dimension to the album. A solid standout.

"People Will Always Make You Cry" gives me visions of a foggy morning on the California Coast...think Pacific Coast Highway. It's a somber, warm yet crystalline ballad that has a cool, misty appeal to it...

"I Will Give In" is a sun-shiny uptempo that weirdly (at least in my head) reminds me of the 80s hit "Don't Answer Me" by the Alan Parsons Project...I like this one in the same manner that I appreciated Natalie Brown's "You Pierced My Soul"...they both evoke images of rolling green hills and flying kites.

A bonus cut for me would be "Hakuna Matata", a lively take on the beloved saying...perfect for any World Music radio shows anywhere looking for fresh, upbeat material.

So my recomendation would be to listen closely to the sample song/links on this page, and then decide for yourself. I did...


Thanks for reading!

C.H.R.
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This is a must have CD for anyone especially for lovers, or if you just want to chill out and imagine your on the beach watching the waves come in, sippin on your favorite drink. Very well recorded and performed. Please support this artist better than some of the major label material out today another independent smash keep up the good work!!!!!
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