Are we approaching nu classic soul overkill? In the last six months we've had Musiq Soulchild, Jill Scott, Lina, all following up great music by D'Angelo, Erykah Badu and the Roots.
The ethos behind the sound - expressing a true individuality with real instruments as a counter force to the crasserlisation of Puffed up mainstream R&B - has been laudable. But with the Denver born India.Arie we are bordering on a formula.
Sure her first single 'Video' starts off with the arresting line "Sometimes I shave my legs, sometimes I don't" but she can't maintain that earthy sense of self. Using the same killer break for 'Video' that powered Akinyele's spunky 'Put It In Your Mouth' (Brick's 'Brick', spotters) is a bit too easy as well.
From thereon in, despite some admittedly very good moments ('Promises' , 'Brown Skin', 'Simple') 'Acoustic Soul' sounds like it's been plucked a little too early.
Tracks such as 'Strength, Courage and Wisdom', 'Ready For Love' and 'Part of My Life' are simplistic and boring. Sample "You are a cold breeze on a summer's day/ You are a river running through a desert place."
Put simply there's not the soul power behind Arie that pulses through Jill Scott or Missy Elliott, despite her working in the industry since 1995. By the fourth track of 'Acoustic Soul' she starts to become a caricature of a 'nu classic soul' artist as the 25-year-old tries too hard to emulate her heroines (Bonnie Rait, Tracy Chapman, Minnie Ripperton).
Once again Motown seems to have got on the bandwagon just as it's slowing down. A lot of this particular genre comes down to one man, Kedar Massenburg. D'Angelo's ex manager brought Erykah Badu and Chico De Barge to the fore. He's behind Arie and, surprise, he's also now El Presidente of Motown Records where, erm, Chico, Erykah and India now reside. Comfortability abounds and it's starting to produce, in this case, mediocrity.
