:: Details
In an age of shrieking R&B divas, it's so refreshing to hear a soul singer who makes her statement by asking the listener to actually do just that -- listen.
Jill Scott obviously has some serious pipes, but she doesn't demand attention by attacking the listener; she creeps up and whispers in your ear with a voice that's warm and sweet like honey in tea. Often romantic and mysterious, but always fluid and passionate, she melts into most of the tracks, sometimes commanding attention and sometimes just supporting the groove.
"Golden," the first single from Beautifully Human, is the obvious hit on first listen. However, after spending some time with the album, songs like "Bedda At Home," "Whatever," and "I'm Not Afraid" are equally strong.
Even if you're listening while driving with the top down on a sunny afternoon, the vibe is very lights-down-low, kicking-back-on-a-comfy-couch -- the way it feels when you come home from a night at the clubs and aren't ready to call it quits.
While there's a definite neo-soul thread running through these songs, elements of jazz, hip-hop, and classic Gamble & Huff Philly R&B find their way into the fabric of the production. And unlike most albums these days, Beautifully Human plays well from beginning to end, inspiring the use of the CD player's repeat button.
Turn down the lights. Get comfy. Enjoy!
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