India.Arie - Acoustic Soul

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Free Music Notes for Acoustic Soul

Free Music Review: Do yourself a favour, listen to this.
Hit: 5 Stars

The album title says it all: this is acoustic soul. Far from Destiny's Child so called r'n'b, India composes songs that do not need the support of computerized bombastic rhythm to exist. Listening to the people she praises in the interlude tells you where the girl took her good taste from: Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, Johnny Coltrane, Jimmy Hendrickx, Mary Robertson, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Minnie Ripperton, Ella Fitzerald... to name but a few "and the list go on" as she says herself. And even if they are "all in her" she remains her own self, creating her own music from all those influences.

I was seduced by the beautiful deep bluesy voice and her confident (but not "in your face") attitude.

The first single "Video" was a perfect summer track. Gaining a positive image of yourself and sef confidence without becoming vain, this is what the song is about. Seriously, how many girls have the body of a top model? But who cares, if you love yourself and feel good in the skin your born in, people will love you too. Just grow to accept what you see in the mirror.

The next track "Promises" is a sensual and reflexive number about relationships (all kind of relationships) and how important honesty is to preserve them. Beautifully written and difficult not to groove on.

Are you looking for pure sugar hot song for your tea for two 5 o'clock secret rendez-vous? "Brown skin" is there for you. Suddenly the room temperature has raised at least 10 degrees...(centigrade, I'm in Europe). D'Angelo "Untitled" video, get the picture?

"Strength, Courage and Wisdom" has a great summery Latin vibe (I think about Sade here) mixed with classic almost gospel chorus. The mix produces a very laid back track.

I love the deep voice and the pulsation on "Nature". This track is pure silk.

Another silky track and one of my favorite is "Back to the middle" with a simple guitar/soft beat orchestration and India voice telling you a story... The song shows best India singing capabilities. I think about Tracy Chapman here. Actually, if Tracy was playing blues/r'n'b she would probably sound like India, and if India was playing folk she would probably sound like Tracy...

Next one is a jewel: "Ready for love", a sensitive love declaration. To be played in the dark or danced to in the candles lights. Stripped down orchestration, beautiful vocal rendition, one of the best ballads around. Worth buying the album just for this one!

Marvin Gaye would not repudiate "Always in my head" and I will not either. Sensual and classy, you'll move your hips and snap your fingers before you know it.

A call to each other respect is following with "I see God in you" and its killer chorus. One of those songs you got stuck in your head before you noticed you heard it.

The rhythm of "Simple" makes me think about Mary J Blige on "Mary". That's r'n'b with soul.

"Part of my life" is another sensual danceable track inspired by Marvin Gaye.

Another great ballad to close the album "Beautiful" has a very simple guitar based orchestration once again, letting India's voice space to tell you her story, and multiplying her voice on the chorus, creating a nice dreamy effect.

Finally, we even get a bonus track, "Wonderful" obviously inspired by Stevie Wonder. The title summarizes my feeling about the entire album: this kitty here is purring blissfully in the sun

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