to listen or purchase
A lot of today's R&B music can remind grown folks of an out-of-control juvenile, thanks to its constant focus on sex, body parts, getting the drink on and clubbing all hours of the day and night. Subtlety and sophistication seem to be a forgotten art.....until you encounter an artist like Trish Andrews. Her CD, These Five Words, not only demonstrate her prowess as a vocalist and songwriter, it establishes that sultry, soothing neo soul isn't as non-existent as the mainstream would like many to believe.
A lot of today's R&B music can remind grown folks of an out-of-control juvenile, thanks to its constant focus on sex, body parts, getting the drink on and clubbing all hours of the day and night. Subtlety and sophistication seem to be a forgotten art.....until you encounter an artist like Trish Andrews. Her CD, These Five Words, not only demonstrate her prowess as a vocalist and songwriter, it establishes that sultry, soothing neo soul isn't as non-existent as the mainstream would like many to believe.
From start to finish, this North Carolina native has it all: a sweet, supple soprano, professional polish (she wrote or co-wrote each and every track as well as occupied the executive producer's chair at the boards) and mid-tempo jazz-dipped grooves that worm their way into the subconscious. The opening track, "Comfort Zone," is hip-swaying and hypnotic, "Jumpin and Bumpin" picks up the pace to signal the beginning of a well-earned Ladies' Night, and "Back To You" says that yes, while she enjoys making her music, she longs to return to the Number One fan she has waiting at home. Sensual themes abound in "Making Love" and "Feels Like Heaven," conveying all of the emotion and ecstasy of physical abandon without being overt and vulgar in the process.
The only quibble that any listener could have with Ms. Andrews' otherwise -enjoyable CD is that the tracks and subject matter don't give her creamy chops a chance to switch it up very often. The final number, "You Know What You Do To Me (Allnita Remix) injects a much-needed dash of hip-hop flavor, and its lone conflict-displaying song, "Can't Keep Running," chides a distant lover for creating distance between them time and time again instead of reducing it. Hopefully though, her gift for creating narrative lyrics will encompass more of the emotional spectrum the next time around, because with skills like hers, don't expect for this good and grown soul provider to experience a ˜time-out' anytime soon.
By Melody Charles