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THE UK CORNER: Chrisette Michele's 'Epiphany' reviewed by Fiona McKinson
*Don't let it be said that EURweb and The UK Corner don't respond to user-generated content! Loyal Chrisette Michele fan Harriet rightly pointed out that EURweb has been "promoting Chrisette for weeks ..."
Well, in celebration of her album Epiphany reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 and the U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, I wanted to investigate just how "fabulous" the CD really is.
Harriet compared Michele to Ciara, but they are very different artists with different target audiences. Ciara is bigger than Chrisette in the UK, though I have heard of her I most notably remember her from her appearance in Girlfriends!
There she made a cameo appearance in "What's Black-A-Lacking," writing her own scenes in an episode directed by series star Tracee Ellis Ross. Michele took on the industry on her terms. On the show she sang a beautifully deep song. A year later and following her 2007 certified Gold debut album I AM, Michele is continuing to touch ears with her flavoursome unique brand of neo- soul/R&B.
Epiphany (I'm leaving), a bass heavy, soul groove, is stylishly delivered proving that while India and Erykah have left no void with recent releases, there is definitely room for Chrisette to inject a nourishing dose of soul. Notebook is another standout track. Song after song is strong, with writing & production by Ne-Yo (who wrote 6 of the 12 songs) & Chuck Harmony, Claude Kelly (Kelly Clarkson, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis) & Rodney Jerkins, among others.
Sultry singer/songwriter Chrisette Michele 26, won a Grammy for 2009 Best Urban/Alternative Performance for Be Ok featuring Will.i.am. Her wave of success looks set to continue as more people suddenly realise or comprehend the essence or meaning of her gift. This gift is classic as illustrated by the nature of All I Ever Think About. Most of the album is slow and stirring but Playin' Our Song steps up the tempo. I prefer Michele's voice on ballads where she sings of love, angst, emotion, pain and independence.
Another EURweb reader soulmusic101 commented, "This is grown folks music, no mention of strip clubs, how much money I got, or what type of whip I ride around in. Dust off one of those gems from Anita Baker's classic Rapture CD, Ms. Michele. Like Watch Your Step, Mystery, or Same Old Song. A perfect fit for that instrument that is your voice."
Michele is not opposed to covers or using samples. She has collaborated widely on Jay-Z's Lost One and Nas's Nat King Cole-inspired Can't Forget About You, and toured with Solange and Raheem DeVaughn. However, the album only features one guest appearance from Ne-Yo on What you Do, perhaps because she pledged to raise the bar and be more extrovert and risky with her sophomore project. A more confident attitude emerges in this evolutionary record, which exudes personality.
It departs from her traditional style, successfully hitting a younger urban/pop audience with rock/hip hop beats. Rihanna could record tracks such as Fragile and Amy Winehouse could record Mr. Right. Porcelain doll is anthemic and could easily be delivered by Mary J Blige or Beyonce. I'm Ok could be an Alicia Keys number, but Michele's jazzy tones and classically trained expertise are inescapably detrimental to each track.
I like Harriet, pdub, FiveMore and soulmusic101, am now a fan! I felt the Michele magic, I hear she loves Japan and Barbados and I know she is currently on a North American tour with Anthony Hamilton and Musiq Soulchild, but hopefully she will visit these shores soon!
Track listing
1. Epiphany (I'm Leaving) (Shaffer Smith, Chuck Harmony) - 3:28
2. Notebook (Harmony, Claude Kelly) - 3:46
3. What You Do (featuring Ne-Yo) (Smith, Harmon) - 3:22
4. Blame It on Me (Chrisette Payne, Harmony, Kelly) - 4:09
5. All I Ever Think About (Allen Gordon, Jr., Joel Campbell, Teron Beal, Jayms Madison) - 3:40
6. Playin' Our Song (Rodney Jerkins, Kelly) - 3:33
7. Another One (Smith, Harmony) - 3:39
8. On My Own (Smith, Brandon Green, Tim Bullock) - 3:47
9. Fragile (Payne, Harmony, Kelly) - 4:15
10. Mr. Right (Payne, Harmony, Kelly) - 4:22
11. Porcelain Doll (Smith, Harmony) - 3:45
12. I'm Okay (Smith, Harmony) - 4:17
Epiphany is out now on Def Jam
www.twitter.com/epiphanygirl
www.chrisettemichele.defjam.com
www.myspace.com/chrisettemichele
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=311233627&s=143441
http://www.amazon.com/Epiphany-Chrisette-Michele/dp/B001U0HB92?tag=islancom-20
The UK Corner covers urban entertainment from a British perspective and is compiled by Fiona McKinson. She is a freelance journalist and creative writer based in London. Contact her at info@thetalentshow.co.uk.
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