Russell, Brenda
Narada, 2004, CD
Instrument: Female Vocals
Issue: 10.4
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4
Sound: 3
Score:
O’s Notes: Where’s she been? No worries, she is back with a solid effort of jazzy R&B ballads that strike many chords. She wrote most of the music and collaborates with some top musicians as well. Check out the earthy duet with Patti Austin on the title track followed by the radio worthy “I Know You By Heart”. There’s a contemporary hook that places her right in the mix among today’s R&B divas on “When You Comin’ Back To Me”. There’s a little bit of popular mainstream on “Let Somebody Know” and her cover of Smokey’s “The Tracks Of My Tears”. This CD packs a broad range of songs sure to appeal to a wide audience.