The New Flava In Your Ear - Vol. 1

Ah - do you hear that? It's the sounds of spring - chirping birds and crickets, children laughing, and new artists trying to make the season of rebirth their season of stardom. In a two part review, I'll give you a peek into the work of two artists -one new on the scene, the other back to make good on the promise he showed when he burst on the scene.

I'll start with the newbie, Ms. India Arie , then hit me up in a few days and check out part two on Jesse Powell.

Indie Arie has come on the scene Jill Scott style, i.e. with her voice blazing and the airwaves showing her much love. With her song "Video" setting the stage for the CD, Acoustic Soul, India Arie has critics loving her. One called her "the female shakespeare of her time." Well let me say I think that may be a bit much - but the sister is doing her thing.

The video for "Video" immediately gave me flashbacks to Tracy Chapman - I think it was India holding her guitar and her pride in her naturalness. Very in-your-face about her style - I like that. And the track is nice, with its upbeat tempo and theme of self-love, its no wonder its burning up the charts. Its just the break we need from booty-shakin', thug love songs that are sure to dominate summer radio.

But what about the rest of the CD? I think it has to grow on me a bit. Though there is no doubting where it can go. While not obvious on "Video," India Arie sounds quite a bit like Whitney Houston!

I don't mean she's mimicking Whitney, I mean she literally has a similiar voice. When I first heard "Wonderful," a bonus track and dedication to Stevie Wonder, I thought it was Whitney. There were a few inflections that made me doubt myself, but otherwise the similiarities were striking. And this track is bad!

There is a great piano piece as the foundation of the song, giving it an understated quality and allowing India's voice to dominate. She jams on this track and you can feel the sincerity in her words and voice. Everyone knows that Stevie is the Man, though to date no other artist has paid a tribute quite as nice on their own CD's.

I also liked "Always in my head." This too is a track where I can hear Whitneyesque qualities. You have to hear it for yourself, but its definitely there. This song, like most of the CD's tracks, is mellow with a groovy edge to it.

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