had Chrisette Michele waited another month, it would have been two whole years since this sassy songstress released her last album {the nerve of her to keep us waiting!} She released "I AM" in June 2007 {and uh I'm still RoCkinG out to it like it came out ystrday-dead serious!} and yesterday her sophomore album, "Epiphany" hit stores!!!!!!!! I heard the Epiphany remix featuring Rick Ross and Juelz Santana roughly a month ago and was mesmerized!! I later heard snippets of a few other songs via Imeem and could not wait for the release of this album!
After leaving work, at 8p.m. i headed to Target and what do i find, Epiphany-SOLD OUT {good for Chrisette and her camp, bad for ME and my anxious self} no worries, drive to the next Target! 2 copies left, {COOLERS} I listened to the album all night, uploaded it to my iPod, blasted it as i got dressed for work this morning, jammed to it on the metro all the way to work. . .it's 5pm and i'm STILL listening! {Needless to say, this is going to be an Amazing Review!}
i gotta admit I had my reservations before listening and it probably had something to do with those Other Blogs and websites and their formulated opinions prior to the release. The news surrounding this album was Chrisette's decision to fall back on the writing end and allow songwriting powerhouse Ne-Yo to take on the task. Not that I'm not a fan of the wonderfully written and composed Ne-Yo tracks {he makes hits- Irreplaceable is my jammmm} BUT I feared Chrisette's music would lose the original flava that separates her from your typical r&b artist and well to easily sum it up "makes her her!" I mean she said it best, "my names chrisette michele, get to know me well 'cause i got a whole lot to bring. . .so many ladies in the game right now wanna rock with the chris on the microphone, i've been studying ms billy, ms ella, ms sarah vaughn, and ms natalie cole" {Let's Rock, "I Am} she's far from ur AVERAGE, not even TYPICAL! SO YEA, I was praying praying praying this album wouldn't portray a commercialized~music made strictly for main stream~soul-less Chrisette. . .anddddddd I'm happy to say SHE DID NOT LET ME DOWN!!!
The Album opens with the latest single, "Epiphany (I'm Leaving)" and follows the "getting over a boyfriend/relationship" motif throughout. There's only one collabo, "what You do" with Ne-Yo and the rest is strictly Chrisette singing her heart out on "ending a relationship and causes(Blame it on Me), finding another mate(Another One), being Independent(On My Own), and finding the perfect guy(Mr. Right) (Just to Name a Few) My personal faves thus far include *Notebook, All I Ever Think About, and Another One* {oh what the heck, I luv them ALL} The feel and tempo of the album is pretty constant throughout {Which I Enjoy} but Epiphany, Playing Our Song, and Mr. Right do offer funkier more upbeat grooves.
All in all, I can honestly say that Ms. Chrisette Michele has made another timeless masterpiece that I'll be listening to forever, or at least for another two years. . .until she comes out with her next one! :-) Kudos!
"same Ledisi, but she ain't walking, she's flying. . .i ain't even got one sad tear left in me!" Ledisi kicks off the summer with her latest album, "Pieces of Me!" The sassy and soulful, New Orleans native continues to deliver top notch vocals, while singing about being in love, yearning for love, and exhibiting self love. Ledisi promotes self love on several cuts, beginning with the hit single and album title, "Pieces of Me," continuing with the uptempo track #8, "Shine," and track #10 "bgty" {short for be good to yourself}. Ledisi also likens her taste in men to her coffee preference- tall, strong, and dark- on track #5, "Coffee." Two of my favorite tracks, "So Into You" and "I Miss You Now" embody your typical lovey~dovey, make~up to break~up, wish things could be like they were before motifs found in most R&B songs. Jaheim, the only featured artist, joins Ledisi on the track, "Stay Together," where they sing about standing the test of time in a relationship. This album is the older sibling of her last two albums, "Lost and Found" and "Turn Me Loose," a more mature and experienced Ledisi. "Pieces of Me" offers a perfect blend of Ledisi, love and life! If you're a true Ledisi fan, you won't be disappointed, and if you are new to this sultry vocalist, then tune in, and be mesmerized! 
