Credit Jill Scott for the memorable chorus to The RootsΓÇÖ Grammy winning "You Got Me." She wrote it. Erykah Badu sang it. And even though the Philly native with soul musicΓÇÖs prettiest voice in some time has been featured on a number of records and soundtracks, itΓÇÖs more important to note her stint in the Broadway production of Rent. It indicates sheΓÇÖs drawing from a broader range of experience than the average R&B singer.
Many pop singers have profited from weak, cute sopranos, but Jill shows what happens when you back up style with a strong set of pipes. Her controlled vocalizing shines throughout her 73-minute debut, which delves deep into relationships, both happy and sad, using several techniques to make her point. ThereΓÇÖs the sister-girl spoken-word account of meeting her manΓÇÖs other woman in the grocery store on the musically sparse "Exclusively." On "GettinΓÇÖ In The Way," an ode to her manΓÇÖs ex, sheΓÇÖs just sassy enough: "IΓÇÖve been a lady up until now/DonΓÇÖt know how much more I can take/Queens shouldnΓÇÖt swing/If you know what I mean/But IΓÇÖm about to take my earrings off/Get me some Vaseline."
But itΓÇÖs not all gloomy, thanks to Jazzy JeffΓÇÖs (remember Will SmithΓÇÖs old pal?) production team A Touch Of Jazz, which brings the company name to life, molding simmering, smooth jazz structures that raise the bar for todayΓÇÖs predictable R&B.
On the sexy "Love Rain," the informing "Watching Me," or the encouraging "Brotha," Jill brings that Mary J. Blige/Aretha Franklin brand of gut-felt emotion without the commercial edge. The timing couldnΓÇÖt have been better.
All recordings courtesy of Hidden Beach Records. "GettinΓÇÖ In The Way" and "Love Rain" written by J. Scott, V. Davis; courtesy of Blues Baby Music/JATCAT Music Publishing (ASCAP)/Double Ohh Eight Music/Touched By Jazz/EMI April Music Inc. "Slowly, Surely" written by J. Scott, D. Henson, D. Thompson; courtesy of Blues Baby Music/JATCAT Music Publishing (ASCAP)/No Gravity/Touched By Jazz/EMI April Music Inc./Christopher Lambert Music (BMI).
