Released on 08/10/2001
Label: Motown

India.Arie treads the nu soul path first magically mapped by Erykah Badu's 'Baduism' and lately turned into something of a three-lane motorway with ever increasing releases from the like of Jill Scott, Bilal, Musiq Soulchild etc.

'Brown Skin' is one of the better moments on 'Acoustic Soul', Arie's debut album released earlier in the year by legendary Detroit label Motown, and bears all the familiar hallmarks of said soul movement.

The self-conscious hippy proclamations that make much of the output of the nu soul brigade stick in the throat are thankfully kept to a minimum as India sings an ode to her lover's skin tone.

But, it's earnest stuff all the same and lacks the genuine sonic commitment to the cause that makes all the excesses of Erykah Badu worth tolerating.

    by James Poletti