There must be someone who likes the same music as me and who works either for the US Mail or for the Deutsche Post and who surely enjoys this and other albums now...otherwise I really can't explain why some of the albums I should've received from the USA never surfaced here in Germany in my mailbox. But the second sending finally reached me an thus you now can read a review for Ledisi's debut album that has been re-released this year by Tommy Boy as Soulsinger - The Revival. This, of course, means wider distribution and also overseas availability and, hopefully, Ledisi will get the world-wide recognition she really deserves.
The original Soulsinger was released in 2000 by Ledisi Young and her partner in crime, Sundra 'Sun' Manning on their own imprint LeSun Music and it made a great impact with those in the know. The only bad thing about Soulsinger was, that it lacked the wider distribution.
To spice things up the re-release comes with some of the songs remastered and remixed and a live version of the title track (recorded at Yoshi's) plus we get a new song, Hold On To Love, with Me'shell Ndegeocello on bass.
Jam-Packed with original compostions by Ledisi and Sundra this album still sounds great and like Ledisi's Feeling Orange But Sometimes Blue set it has that timeless quality which really makes a great album.
Like on her Feeling Orange album Ledisi worked with some of the finest musicians of the Bay Area like the Braxton Brothers here to create a pleasant and organic soul-musical background with some strong jazz influences on a few tracks. And last but not least there's Ledisi's fabulous voice.
As with any great album it's hard to select a favourite song here but there are some songs who deal with some controversial issues like Papa Loved To Love Me, that addresses the subject of sexual assault on children, or Coffee that deals with domestic violence. Or listen to Stop Living In Your Head that tells you it's better to face reality, even though "things go wrong./ When you feel there's no way out and you're left on your own". But, of course, there are some love songs here too. And even songs that find Ledisi in a rather voluptuous state of mind like Groove On ("Please take your time with me. No love's not what I need. I want purely physical satisfaction").
All in all Soulsinger - The Revival is another proof of Ledisi's greatness as singer/songwriter and if you've missed Soulsinger the first time round, then what are you waiting for? Go and get your copy!