Testimony, Vol. 2: Love & Politics

Performer: India.Arie
Artist: Gramps Morgan; Musiq Soulchild; Dobet Gnahore; Terrell Carter; Keb' Mo'; MC Lyte; Sezen Aksu
Producer: Reen Nali; India.Arie...
Distributor: Universal Distribution

Notes: Audio Remasterer: Chris Gheringer. LOVE & POLITICS bears close resemblance, both stylistically and thematically, to its illustrious predecessor. Like TESTIMONY VOL. 1, LOVE & POLITICS impresses with the professionalism of its production, with meticulously interwoven layers of backing vocals that recall the most sumptuous soul productions of the mid `70s. The productions of Stevie Wonder and Gamble & Huff are obvious touchstones for the tasteful strings and subdued Fender Rhodes work of lead single "Chocolate High," which features vocal contributions from Musiq Soulchild. Though LOVE & POLITICS doesn't represent a significant departure from the thoughtful, easygoing soul with which Arie has made her name, it includes a few nods to trends in contemporary R&B, most notably the sprightly "Therapy," which splices Arie's breezy vocals and gentle fingerpicking on to a propulsive, club-ready beat.

Billboard (p.37) - "Although more upbeat than its predecessor, VOL. 2 requires some time spent listening. Those who do so will be richly rewarded."

With the runaway success of her 2001 debut ACOUSTIC SOUL, India Arie became one of the most important figures in contemporary R&B. Though she's often lumped in with the neo-soul movement, she comes more from a '70s singer-songwriter orientation, influenced by James Taylor and Bill Withers as much as she is by Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Her stripped-down production and straight-ahead songs, built around her own acoustic guitar, eschew cookie-cutter R&B production for a refreshing simplicity.

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