Syleena Johnson – Chapter 4: Labor Pains
Re-introducing Syleena Johnson…
After 3 records, or shall I say ‘Chapter’s’, of continuous love ballads, upbeat groove productions & urban neo-soul textures, the lady with an amazing voice returns to the spotlight & gives us another shot in “Chapter 4: Labor Pains”. Straight from Aneelys Records – Syleena’s own record label, which is also a branch from Universal Music. It’s one thing to acknowledge the new project in this review. But it’s another to know that Syleena’s affinity for singing from the soul, with depth, grace & precision, is unparalled & felt here. A completely dynamic vocalist who, in my opinion, ranks way up there with the best of them. Patti, Stephanie, Aretha, Angela Winbush, you name it. Ms. Johnson’s voice would make any composition rise. But did this album of new tracks bring out the best she could offer?
Track Listing:
~ Intro
~ Labor Pains
~ Where’s The Love
~ Freedom
~ Is It Because I’m Black
~ Be Me
~ Redstorm’s Domestic Lesson (Interlude)
~ You Let Me Down
~ Shoo Fly
~ Maury Povich
~ It Is True
~ Your Love
~ My First
~ Personal Trainer
~ Go Home
~ Go
~ Outro
The Intro comes blasting through with a dramatic foreplay of actual maternity labor pains interlude, as if to send an early indicator of what we should expect. Then the disc spins directly into upbeat urban R&B jams like “Labor Pains”, “Where’s The Love” (why the vocoder sounding vocals? – She doesn’t need it!), & “Freedom” – featuring an excellent re sampling of her father, Syl Johnson’s music. A nice collaboration! “Is It Because I’m Black” carried a reflection of old school, waa-waa guitar sounding rhythm & blues, allowing for Syleena to often step up in the vocal dept. & properly display what her God-given talents are all about. Look out for the message in the lyrics.
I couldn’t get my hands off the repeat button for “It Is True” and it’s for various reasons. For one, the lyrics was positive, hopeful & graceful. Acknowledging the truth behind finding True Love in a relationship & feeding into the power of faith. Ultimately believing that one day, your ‘Knight’ (or ‘Queen’ for that matter) in shining armor can come into your life. Maybe its a special song for her Husband (She’s a wife now Brothas – Too Late!) The other reason is for the new school flavor of the indelible imprint of old school musical production on the track, that now has been utilized in some, if not many, of todays R&B artists albums. To hear Syleena’s voice sway & grace the lyrics was top notch. But it wasn’t the only track she graced…
I found an extra attraction & admiration for Syleena’s talent by simply listening to her swoon in the slower compositions. Songs like “You Let Me Down”, “Be Me”, “Your Love”, “My First”, “Personal Trainer”, & “Shoo Fly”. “Be Me” actually stuck out from all the quiet storming tracks.
One song that I felt shouldn’t have shared the same billing was “Maury Povich”. But other then that, the CD is a winner! And I noticed she didn’t have special guests on the project, like her predecessors. She didn’t need help, that’s for sure.
The album is a reflection, or a testament of Syleena’s journey in Life & how many things or situations have came to pass. Her voice echoes a true essence of spiritual overtones, all the while keeping to the realism of everyday perspectives in the storytelling of her music. I would personally like to see or hear Syleena jump out of the secular music spectrum & do a couple of Gospel compositions one day. Maybe an album.
“Chapter 4” is recommended, no doubt.
T
The Urban Music Scene
Available at iTunes & Amazon.