Mama Said  by Lenny Kravitz

Mama Said, released in 1991, is Lenny Kravitz's second album and the record that established him as a global icon, masterfully combining rock, soul, funk, and the psychedelia of the '60s and '70s. In reality, it is a time capsule that takes us back to the era when Lenny Kravitz stopped being the "newcomer" and became a legend. It was released during a transitional phase of his life, immediately after his separation from Lisa Bonet, which gave the album a raw, emotional honesty. This melancholy permeates the record, with the iconic It Ain’t Over 'til It's Over being written as an attempt at reconciliation. This song, with its strong influences from the Motown sound, became his greatest chart success.

Here Kravitz acts as a "multi-tool": he wrote, produced, and played almost all the instruments. The sound is a tribute to the '70s, combining the soul of Curtis Mayfield with the rock of Jimi Hendrix and the Beatles. Always On The Run stands out for its "dirty" riff by Slash of Guns N' Roses, who was a classmate of Lenny's in high school, while Sean Lennon contributed to All I Ever Wanted, which is dedicated to his father, John Lennon. Faithful to his vintage aesthetic, Kravitz insisted on using analog recording equipment, rejecting the digital trends of the time, which gave the record its warm, timeless sound. Although critics initially accused him of excessively mimicking his idols, the public loved the authenticity and rawness of his emotions.

Mama Said remains one of the most influential albums of the '90s, proving that classic rock can sound fresh and relevant. Mama Said managed to go platinum in the USA and reached the Top 10 in many countries, with No. 8 in Great Britain being one of the most significant positions.