My first introduction to this girl was on the b-side of a New Mastersounds' 45. I am a huge fan of this song, but was disappointed she wasn't featured on more tracks on their album. Now fast forward a few years and her debut cd is blowing up. I think it's at
#5 on amazon's sales ranking, who would've thought. The marketing juggernaut is fully behind this release and she has already made appearances on the Tonight Show, Regis, etc. It's always interesting to see someone you discovered on an underground level reach mainstream acclaim. I feel this, as do a lot of 20 something girls that hang out at starbucks. I also rike Norah Jones though, so yes I am in "THAT" demographic, hah. LIsten
hereplease don't hold back on the nag champa this, kufi that jokes. The more the merrier...
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Having heard it now it's failed to move me in any way - don't know if it's the bland production or what but serious underwhelmed.
Lumping her w/ Lily Allen is a disservice, that is just a 2006 version of 2005's Uffie and 2004's MIA. I don't think the blogosphere is celebrating Corinne's material, it's too MOR.
I am so not feeling that video where Lily gets her friend to scratch up every single record in his collection.
now when you folks mention searching for "the real", what do you consider that to be? Are you basing your judgement on new music or fetishsizing your ahem northern soul collection. I fall into that trap at times too, there's no use comparing every new release to Donny Hathaway "Live". They're different breeds, and I can enjoy them equally.
If I had to pick someone to rep from this so called "neo soul" scene, hands down it would be Adriana Evans. The new Omar record is a smash too.
The only reason I mention Lilly Allen, is because they have the same kind of slightly flat deliveries that don't really grab me. I wouldn't lump them both into any sort of neo-soul pigeonhole or anything, but I just feel that they lack the balls to warrant that much attention.
I can't think of many modern (90s/00s) soul artists to compare, but I'd rather hear something like Sharon Jones, who can turn it up a bit if she has too. I don't think CBR has that kind of range. Hell, I'd rather listen to any of the current pop-soul yodellers like Beyonce or Xtina than CBR, because at the very least, they sound like they have some sort of conviction - albeit perhaps in a rather affected way.
Really though, there is so much good old soul music around if I want to get a fix, I don't see what's wrong with sticking that on instead. Lately I've been getting a lot of play out of that Camille Yarborough Iron Pot Cooking album, which until recently, I hadn't heard all the way through. That to me sounds incredible, so why waste my time checking out new artists that don't move me in the slightest. I'm not adverse to new stuff in the slightest, but it has to grab my attention first.
As for her (supposed) MOR-ness: ive got no problems with that as long as the songs are good, the production not too stuffy and - most importantly - her singing is heartfelt without frills or whining.
In short: You go girl.
aside: the song mentioned above is called "your love is mine" and should be p2p-able.
No hatt but I think her production takes away from her talents being fully exposed.
Give me Nicole Willis and/or Sharon Jones over her anyday.