- Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
- Video Codec: AVC/MPEG-4
- Resolution: 1080i/60
- Audio Codec: PCM 2.0 (96 kHz/24-bits); Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (Audience Mix) (96 kHz/24-bits); Dolby TrueHD 5.1 (Stage Mix) (96 kHz/24-bits); Dolby Digital 5.1; 2-Channel FLAC (96 kHz/24-bits); 2-Channel MP3 (320 kbps); 2-Channel Headphone “Surround Mix” (48 kHz/24-bit)
- Subtitles: None
- Region: ABC (Region-Free)
- Rating: Not Rated
- Running Time: 45 minutes
- Discs: 1 (1 x Blu-ray)
- Studio: AIX Records
- Blu-ray Release Date: January 29, 2013
- List Price: $34.99
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Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
Click thumbnails for high-resolution 1920X1080p screen captures
(The below TheaterByte screen captures are lightly compressed with lossy JPEG at 100% quality setting and are meant as a general representation of the content. They do not fully reveal the capabilities of the Blu-ray format)
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The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
Okay, you had me at “Soul Kittens.” Growing up in Chicago, this is the R&B that fueled most of the clubs that I frequented in my sometimes misspent youth. Nicci Gilbert, a true soul survivor, has surrounded herself with four winsome singers, Monifah Carter, Emetria McKinney, Tammy Townsend, and Teisha Jaretta, each in her own way a great vocal talent for this power woman playlist:
- Best of My Love
- Back to Life
- If You Love Me
- Half of You
- Sometimes Dancing
- God Bless the Child
- Woman in Need
- Grapevyne
- How Did You Get Here
The group runs the table on solo and ensemble numbers that reach out, grab your vital essence, shake and stir it up a bit, and then put you back into your comfort zone. With good back up musicians, this is like getting a ringside table at your favorite after-hours club without the cover charge.
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
An active camera gives us good sense of being in the studio with NG and her SKs. Lighting is generally effective and detail is good.
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
The AIX recordings give us great sound and this one is no exception. Choosing from four soundtracks Dolby 5.1 TrueHD (“stage” and “audience” mixes) as well as Dolby Digital 5.1 and PCM 2.0 is an embarrassment of riches. As noted in the title specifications, there are three separate audio versions for computer music aficionados.
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
There are brief bios of the singers, a “behind-the-scenes” video, photo gallery, liner notes and links.
The Definitive Word
Overall:
[Rating:4/5]
It is a pleasure to revisit a musical genre that I have loved for decades. The five female proponents of R&B contribute mightily to each of the selections, making it difficult to pick favorites. With excellent backing, and active but unobtrusive videography, viewers are treated to a private concert in their living rooms or home theaters. It is reassuring to know that contemporary R&B is in good hands, and thanks to Mark Waldrep, gets a top notch presentation that R&B newcomers will welcome. I only wish that this program had lasted longer!
Additional Screen Captures
[amazon-product]B00AA9QKJG[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase Nicci Gilbert & Friends: If You Love Me on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
–
[amazon-product]B00AA9QKJG[/amazon-product]
BestBuy.com:
Purchase Nicci Gilbert & Friends: If You Love Me on Blu-ray at CD Universe
Shop for more Blu-ray titles at Amazon.com
Overall
[Rating:4/5]
The Performance
[Rating:4/5]
Video Quality
[Rating:4/5]
Audio Quality
[Rating:4.5/5]
Supplemental Materials
[Rating:2.5/5]
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