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Nichelle - Language of Love - CafeCD04

UK release including the best cuts from Nichelle's two albums Relations and Millenaire.

Cafe de Soul gives us the following information - 'In her career as a singer, Nichelle Colvin has contributed her expertise to a variety of local hit projects. Combining a blend of gospel and r&b vocals on jazz and hip-hop rhythms, making her soulful style unique and promising for the millennium and beyond. Some of her influences are Rachelle Ferrell, Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman, Erykah Badu and Angela WinBush. Nichelle has worked with producer Vaughn Halyard who has produced artists such as Janet Jackson on "Black Cat" and Johnny Gill "Wrap My Body Tight" remixes. Nichelle has also worked with Tody Welford on the Billboard WINNING "Hold On". Tody Welford played bass for Shalamar with Howard Hewett and Willie Lee played guitar for the Temptations.'

This albun starts with 'Language of love' which has almost choral vocal arrangements. 'Sentimental Brush' is more instant and more upbeat, spoken intro into a strong R'n'B/Soul groove.

'The Man' is downbeat , srong jazz vocal over pleading lyrics. Nichelle wrote all of the cuts on the album, one or two co-written by James "Chameleon" White III who also produced all but one of the songs, and is clearly a major contributor, influence and collaborator with Nichelle.

'For the love of you' has a more chugging kind of rhythm and 'What's the most important thing' has an urban beat-y feel with rap intro and a vocal reminding me of Minnie Riperton.

'Inside' is a beautiful track, deep and thought provoking, self analysing lyric. 'Tears from Heaven' is mellow but strong in vocal. 'Millenaire' the title track of the second album and appears to be some kind of homage or introduction to 'Chamelion' - it does have a nice groove.

'Nothing remains the same' is also featured on the compilation, keyboard intro into a lilting easy thoughtful vocal. 'Show some attention' another floating piece from the first album. 'Inner Pain' from the start when you hear the thunderstorms you know that this is gonna be something slow and hurtful, it is but the vocal isn't quite so instant and concise but trying to capture the mood.

'Picture that' is one not produced by Chameleon but there is no discenable difference, maybe slightly harder rhythm and a neo soul feel. 'For Love' is beatier, bit more uptempo but again that easy floating vocal and sax-y sound. A nice cut that could get a remix maybe. 'You must give way' concludes the album.

I do like this album, it is well written, well produced and well put together. It covers a variety of styles but overall it has a kind of space-y, trippy feel and Nichelle's vocal eases in and out over strong and personal lyrics.

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