India Arie
Testimony: Vol. 1, Life And Relationship
Motown/UMG


Since her acclaimed and Grammy-winning 2001 debut 'Acoustic Soul' and her equally-impressive sophomore release 'Voyage To India', India Arie has continued to be a pop R'n'B rebel and neo soul advocate. Her mature and earnest song-writing has won over fans and critics alike, thankful for the realness of her songs, delivered with a sweet and smooth voice that no-one can resist.

Her new album 'Testimony: Vol. 1, Life And Relationship' sees Arie carry on in the same vein that gave her previous success, but with a much more mature and introspective approach and delivery - as hard as that may be to fathom.

Much more than just a representation of her life's moments, 'Testimony' is like her personal dairy presented in song - carrying with it all the emotions and experiences that have brought her to this current moment. Primarily, this album is about the loss of a relationship and the heartbreak and emotional repercussions that come with that. But rather than becoming vindictive and angry, which we are accustomed to in many of today's female R'n'B artists, Arie presents tones of acceptance and progression in tracks like The Heart Of The Matter, Wings Of Forgiveness and Good Mourning - a beautiful and positively-framed soulful ballad.

Arie also continues to project her self-confidence and dismissal of superficiality and carries on the vibe that her breakthrough track Video had; Private Party and the pop-friendly I Am Not My Hair (featuring Akon, who surprisingly works well with Arie) both can almost be re-titled as Video Part 2 and 3.

But as with her other releases, Arie's emotional offerings can be quite overwhelming at times, creating an over-sentimentality that can be too sickly sweet.

India's Song and Summer both carry a certain easy-listening/country vibe that leaves you scratching your head in confusion and/or disbelief.

This is a commendable release from Arie, continuing on the formula that gave her success with her previous two albums.

However, she does deliver much more mature and introspective song-writing in 'Testimony' and her indelibly soulful vocals project her emotions so elegantly and sweetly. This is soul R'n'B music as it should be.

Leo Varona