The very young Alicia Keys is presented at the end of 2001 as America's newest R&B sensation. Judging from the CD cover, you might think that her discoverer Clive Davis (Billy Joel, Whitney Houston) fell for her beautiful appearance, but when listening to the impressive opening track Piano & I, that thought is immediately quashed. And for the rest of Songs In A Minor, this lady is absolutely
… not the plaything of a producer team. In fact, although she has yet to turn twenty, she is responsible for thirteen of the fifteen songs and for the production and she proves to be an excellent pianist and singer. This results in a modern sounding R&B album, which, however, does not sound nearly as slippery and slimy as most records in the genre. In America the term 'urban' is used for this music. used, which should represent something like 'sincere and pure music from everyday life in the big city.' With this, Alicia Keys fits into the ever-growing row of black singers with strong albums: Macy Gray, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Angie Stone and India.Arie. The two singles Girlfriend and Fallin 'are good examples of what she has to offer. Other highlights include Butterflyz, Troubles and the obscure Prince cover How Come You Don't Call Me. The only downside is that she sometimes tries to sound too much like her role models Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. (MvP) Jill Scott, Angie Stone and India.Arie. The two singles Girlfriend and Fallin 'are good examples of what she has to offer. Other highlights include Butterflyz, Troubles and the obscure Prince cover How Come You Don't Call Me. The only downside is that she sometimes tries to sound too much like her role models Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. (MvP) Jill Scott, Angie Stone and India.Arie. The two singles Girlfriend and Fallin 'are good examples of what she has to offer. Other highlights include Butterflyz, Troubles and the obscure Prince cover How Come You Don't Call Me. The only downside is that she sometimes tries to sound too much like her role models Lauryn Hill and Mary J. Blige. (MvP)more
