Let Love Rule [2 LP]

Personnel includes: Lenny Kravitz (vocals, guitar, organ, bass, drums, percussion); Adam Widoff (guitar); Eric Delente (violin); Alfred Brown (viola); Nancy Ives (cello); Lee Jaffe (harmonica); Karl Denson (saxophone); Henry Hirsch (piano, organ); Tisha Campbell, Jean McClain, Yolanda Pittman (background vocals). Engineers: Henry Hirsch, David Domanich, Jeff Goodman. Sounding like it could have been written and recorded in 1969 rather than '89, LET LOVE RULE proves that Lenny Kravitz's retro-rock concerns were not a late-blooming affectation, but were firmly in place at the time of his debut. As on his later releases, the sound here is steeped in soul, rock, and funk of the late '60s and early '70s, though with less of the roaring, guitar-heavy sound that came to dominate efforts like ARE YOU GONNA GO MY WAY. It's easy to play spot-the-influence with Kravitz, and on LET LOVE RULE one hears Prince, Sly Stone, Jimi Hendrix, and--especially in Kravitz's vocals--John Lennon. But even while wearing his heroes on his sleeve, Kravitz crafts a thoroughly enjoyable record. The fuzzed-out bliss of the title track (complete with catchy, anthemic chorus), the bluesy "My Precious Love" (featuring swirling, church-like organ), the riff-driven space-funk of "Fear," and the T. Rex-ish boogie of "Mr. Cab Driver" are only a few of the gems here. Marked by textured subtlety and variety, LET LOVE RULE is a thoroughly impressive first outing, and one of Kravitz's finest offerings.