India.Arie - Acoustic Soul (CD)

All Music Guide

As one of the most promising neo-classic soul artists yet to emerge in the past few years, India Arie casts her lot with the best artist of her label's storied history, playing deeply introspective songs laced with glistening acoustic guitar, churchy organ, and smooth, supple beats. When she name-checks those artists no longer with us she claims as influences (Ma Rainey, Miles Davis, Karen Carpenter, Charlie Patton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Donny Hathaway, etc.) in three separate interludes, you have no doubt she is looking back as well as forward, even going so far as to invoke Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." But Acoustic Soul is at its best when the arrangements are deliberately modern. And despite the uniqueness of being a guitar-based RB album, it is Arie's thick, sandy voice that shares star billing with her exceptional lyrics. Betraying youthful vulnerability while at the same time projecting strength, confidence, and uncanny insight for a 25-year-old singer/songwriter, Arie wra...ps herself effortlessly around the deep, funky sensuality of "Brown Skin," and stands tall in defiance of pop-fashion expectations on the irresistibly catchy "Video." The uplifting "Faith, Courage, Wisdom" rides along on a euphoric chorus, and the plainly autobiographical "Back to the Middle" recounts an emotional and spiritual coming of age. Without the many concrete references to the great RB music of the past, Acoustic Soul would be a purely modern gem, but as Arie is determined to pay her debts up front, it is much more, and that is admirable. - John Duffy, All Music Guide Read more Less