Rhian Benson has really led an impressive life so far. Born in Ghana, raised in India and Great Britain, studied in Harvard and then while nursing her mother in London she decided to abandon her plans to return to Harvard and concentrating on becoming a singer/songwriter instead.
Judging from this six track CD Spirit that certainly has been a wise decision.
Rhian has really developed her own relaxed and soulful sound and style with writing and producing her own material. And with the inclusion of musicans like Pino Palladino (bass), Ndugu Chandler (drums), Roy Hargrove (horns) or Bob Power (keys, string arrangements) amongst others you just know that the musical background sounds great.
Say How I Feel tells a story most of us can relate to. You see someone at a venue and you just want to get to know this person but you have to overcome your shyness to say how you feel. Musicwise Say How I Feel is a fine midtempo soul song.
Words Hurt Too sees Rhian in a more sad setting when a relationship has turned sour ("I remember everything was fine/ There's so much that I miss, about you/ You only worry about your actions/ But words hurt too").
There are some nu soul influences on Spirit namely with the pleasant swinging midtempo groover Stealing My Peace Of Mind , a song about the troubles of the world ("I turned on the news just yesterday/ I didn't believe that all had gone astray/ Tried to put it all down to ratty renegades/ Lord what have I found, I proceed to pray/ It's a wonder we wear our hearts on our sleeves/ When it's too much to bear when they're hurt by the thieves").
I'm In A Bind is a great ballad with strings, keys, piano and all the right stuff like sad lyrics about a lost love ("A pain this deep must be so rare/ I want your touch, but it's just too much/ For my soul to bear/ Your love's got me in a bind/.../You put me in abox, wrapped me up and sent me away/ But I know I can't give up, I'll love again another day").
Sing To A Child is another good midtempo soul song while the sixth song Spirit is a fine african inspired song with Rhian singing some parts in Ashanti.
On the whole Spirit is a very good release and makes you more than curious about Rhian Benson's full-length album, "Gold Coast", which will be released in October 2003.