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Choklate
Choklate
(Kajmere) 2006
I happen to discover Seattle soul singer Choklate
on the recently released Kajmere Sound Vol. 1 compilation. I was blown away after hearing the tracks
'Waitin,' and 'Bigger Than You' featured on that soul packed compilation. Prayers were answered and Choklate soon released
her long awaited self-titled debut album to worldwide critical acclaim.
Choklate is already taking her place along
side soul luminaries like Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Conya Doss, Hil St. Soul, India.Arie, Leela James, to
name a few. Her songwriting, her depth and her delivery has captured the hearts, ears and minds of listeners around
the world. The soul is deep, the experiences are real, the
beats are progressive and the production is sharp and clean.
One listen to this record and you'll understand
the lady behind the voice and the lyrics. Every track is pure heart and soul. Choklate
covers the gamut of emotions as she sings of love, life, gratitude, dedication to the music and that higher power
that is 'Bigger Than You'......and Me.
Choklate delivers her soul
stirring testimony over lush, sexy beats from super producer Vitamin D (DJ Nu Mark, De La Soul). And it doesn't
stop there. A live horn section and live instrumentation were also brought in to compliment Choklate's depth and talent.
You'll hear soul, hip hop, blues and jazz from this Seattle songstress. Choklate is
that fresh air that we have been missing in music for a while now. She is stirring things up and setting
new standards with freshness like "Long Way," a definitive beat driven track with vocal layers that
create a funky midtempo groove. "Dedicated To Music," is a jazz laced track with beautiful harmonies
and a unique horn riff that finds Choklate giving honour to the love of her life......MUSIC. And on the bluesy "What's
About To Go Down," Choklate really showcases her versatility as she belts out a heart wrenching blues track with
so much conviction and intensity that you are completely entralled and will find it hard to not press repeat. And
to top it off she steps back and allows her tight rhythm section to carry out the rest of the track with moody
horns, organ and a guitar solo that we would expect from a veteran blues artist.
To sum up this record, every track is a personal
favourite of mine and I found it very hard to pull out just three tracks to highlight, so that means you
gotta get your own copy to experience the heart, the soul and the music of Seattle's own CHOKLATE.
T.
Freeman
