Ledisi - 'Turn Me Loose'

Ledisi has, in the mainstream view at least, heretofore been known as a smooth jazz-type songstress; this album (Verve Forecast), which comes out Aug. 18, transforms her into an unclassifiable music force.

Here she enlists the power of A-list producers and songwriters, including Raphael Saadiq,Chucky Thompson and Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, resulting in a diverse, impressive and addictive album. She sets the tone for the unexpected straight away on the harder, rock-tinged opening track, “Runnin’,” and then follows that with the blockbuster “Everything Canges,” showcasing horns, seamless writing and her wide, expansive voice.

Not surprisingly, the marquee producers deliver some of the strongest songs, including Saadiq’s “Please Stay” and “Love Never Changes,” which has the breezy feeling of Otis Redding’s “The Dock of the Bay.” All told, there isn’t enough room here to describe how varied and enjoyable this album is; suffice it to say it’s one of the strongest and most mature R&B soul records to arrive in 2009.

– Malcolm Venable, The Pilot

Tracks to download  “Everything Changes,” “Love Never Changes,” “Please Stay”

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