Victoria White | The Upside
Victoria White | The Upside
New Jersey born, South Carolina raised singer/songwriter/guitarist, Victoria White, releases her second solo disc, aptly titled “The Upside”. It’s a fine 11 track collection of Soul with acoustic and folk elements weaved in. Discovered & produced by 14 year Earth, Wind & Fire alum, fellow guitarist Sheldon Reynolds. Victoria is the first artist outside of Earth, Wind & Fire to be signed to Maurice White’s Kalimba Music imprint through E1 Distribution (Formerly Koch Entertainment).
Her emotional filled vocal harmonies fall in line with Corinne Bailey Rae, with the thought provoking lyrics of Tracy Chapman. Victoria clearly stands on her own with this magnificently sonic recording. The production values on this disc are superb! A cut above the rest, I feel.
Highlights on this marvelous project are the opening track “Exodus”. A mid tempo number with both Victoria & Sheldon sharing guitar duties. Her lead vocal and background parts, performed by Victoria herself (..and pretty much throughout the album..) are light and airy, very soothing to the ear. Programmed drums are executed with a light shuffle beat. Great song!
“Can’t Buy Love” is a song where we find Victoria telling a love you cannot win her over with material possessions. Light bass synth and wah wah guitar parts, courtesy of Sheldon Reynolds, are played wonderfully alongside Victoria’s vocal.
“Girl Of Your Dreams”, a song that clearly has ‘hit single’ written all over it. Lightly plucked guitars, minimal synthesizer effects, sweet & subtle vocals. The bar chimes performed adds a nice touch to this track.
“Forgiven”, another fine choice for a single. Light acoustic guitar plucks and strums, slight reverb on Victoria’s lead vocal, possess a melody that could have been written for an Isley Brothers album. Sheldon’s amazing electric guitar solo towards the end gives the track a hard edge without compromising the integrity of song overall.
The bouncy and funky uptempo “Keep On” features the acoustic piano work of one of Contemporary Jazz’s rising star is his own right, Brain Culbertson. The lyrics express one of moving on regardless of what obstacles are thrown their way.
Other noteworthy songs include, “Get Gone”, “Grateful”, the YouTube clip you see featured here “Something”, and the acoustic guitar ladened “Take Me Home”.
One of the best CD’s I’ve encountered this year. What impressed me the most about this record is that she kept the songs short, sweet and to the point. No filler, just great feel good empowering songs throughout. I feel to best experience the full effect of Victoria’s prowess is to see her live as witnessed by the YouTube clip.
I hope and pray the fine folks at Kalimba Music, her management, booking agents, whomever, are setting up her tour itinerary. She’s certainly a rising star to be reckoned with. Her years of hard work, dedication, and D.I.Y. spirit, certainly has paid off. If she’s playing in your town, and you have other commitments that night?, cancel them! Please show your love and check her out, because that’s what I’ll be doing. I can’t wait!
Randy Mahon
We ARE The Urban Music Scene