past: none
present: Blackstar, Yahzarah
future: Nappy Roots, Erykah Badu, Outkast, Mya, Anthony Hamilton

Oy vey. It doesn't help that this critic was a couple of steps behind. Her import CD, Feel Me, was available to me for some time, but I slept through it. Well, now, I'm awake, and I snapped up Blackstar.

One Day has the obligatory rap which works, but it's a pretty standard introduction, which phases into Wishing. Admittedly, seeing the video for Wishing last week prompted me to purchase the CD. This is a pleasant surprise when you want to hear mellow soprano. While saying that this CD is very familiar and already well worn could be concieved as a detriment, it's not. The background vocal arrangements cause the song to stand out among others in its class. It struck a supreme chord with it's dazzling background vocal arrangments - so much so that I find it hard to stop playing this song countless times.

Yahzarah gives us a DC hometown go go influence with the remix version of Blackstar, and Same Page. Feel Me, a track which was previously released and contained on an import of the same name, was often played in several Atlanta clubs and deserves a listen. Yazarah seems to have a thing about songs that begin with the letter 'B': the funkiness of Bury It, Baby, and Baby Love is enough to make even the most mellow bob their heads subconsciously in the car.

All in all, a very positive set. The real test? To see if she gets some national recognition with this CD. The first single has to make a dent in the minds of the States. Unfortunately, my friends, right now it seems that it's a toss up.

Pass the word around.

e-scale.... 8/10

I wanna know love
Inhale peace, exhale joy!
- Feel Me

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today
To bury the bitch and let it die
- Bury It