Soul Providence [CD]

The voices that encouraged Carleen Anderson to go ahead and make the great neo-soul album she is capable of should be happy: she only half listened to them. "Soul Providence" can't just be defined by the term "neo-soul" particularly in its sometimes limited though well -intentioned form that we sometimes see it in commercially. Instead Carleen has followed her own voice and musical path: taking soul as a starting point to unite elements of "neo-soul", blues, jazz , even some gospel and Latin in an album that is polished and organic at the same time. I even hear some '70's soul in the basslines in "Little Wouldn't I Do". I may be wrong, but one thing I know: she puts it all together wonderfully. The horns add a special touch with Carleen's tight harmonies bringing it all together (with the help of friends like Paul Weller and Jocelyn Brown) : it doesn't have a "don't take this out of the studio" feel, but sounds like the kind of album and performance you'd love to see live --especially but not exclusively "My Door is Open". If that song doesn't get you to move (with the fantastic horn section) --play it again: it eventually will.

Some may think this album should have been recorded after "True Spirit" but I disagree: I don't see her musical vision here as solely owing to that first solo effort but a progression that also reveals elements of "Blessed Burden" ("Just Like Me" for example takes me back to her second album) and "Alberta's Granddaughter". It's the album that came at the right time, where all the elements come together in a cohesive whole that is still diverse: a difficult feat that many an artist wishes s/he could pull off. As it says in the liner notes: "Patience finds Soul Providence, neither too late, nor too soon."

On top of it all, as usual, Carleen's lyrics make you feel good about life and particularly about love, in all its forms. "Whose Business" is a particularly timely statement about the freedom of love. Her ending (as in her other albums) is encouragement for her listener: no matter how hard things get "Onwards & Forwards". With this perfect blend of her musical vision and a voice that deftly blends her rich alto with the boundless soprano Carleen has assured that her career will do the same. Do yourself a favor, pick this album up and share in Carleen's "soul stream". You won't regret it.

Probably one of the most underated and undervalued voices in contemporary music today. Carleen Anderson has managed to always forge ahead making music on her own terms four solo albums strong. Some critics have said that her previous efforts have been uneven. In my opinion her music has never really been looked upon in it's entirety in order to formulate an comprehensive opinion. Each album has shown evolution and growth, changing directions but always delivering soul and honesty with each lyric and note expressed. Every direction she has taken has been brought together on this first-rate long player. It is probably her most varied and uplifting album to date. The instrumentation is a nice combination of live and studio progamming for a wide-ranging musical journey through downtempo, funk, gospel and rock. This album features Incognito's brass section funkin' it up on the optimistic
"Parting the Waters" featuring power house Jocylen Brown. Other great tracks include the slow hip hop influenced "A Different Me" with subtle hints of turntablism in the backdrop. "Careful" is great tune about karma and universal law. While "My Door is Open" is a four to the floor workout with it's stacked Philly brass and Carleens layered vocals driving notes into the atmosphere. There's a great cover of Leon Ware's "Wanna Be Where You Are" featuring Paul Weller. "All In My Mind" is a great tune that reveals great sounds as the tune progresses. Those who are fans of The Brand New Heavies, Jamiroquai, Incognito, The Rebirth or great jazz funk will surely enjoy this.

wow - carleen anderson is everything - sultry- moving-ispirational-uplifting - soulfull - groovin - brilliant - i luv it!!

soul providence is on heavy rotation in my cd player and carleen

for me is right next to anita -rachelle -regina & lalah -

up in heaven

soul providence leaves you cravin for more as soon as it stops playin -

(like compositions) - so - trust me -

get it !!!!!!

thomas