No sophomore slump
C. W. Hall | Atlanta, GA USA | 01/26/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"There aren't too many modern-day female soul artists whose second album surpasses their first. Think about it. Erykah's Gun didn't do to you what Baduism did. The same goes for Jill's Volume 2, Amel's Bravebird, India's Voyage, Lauryn's Unplugged excursion and so on. Mind you, none of the aforementioned albums were flops by any stretch, but ask yourself, how many of those sophomore "soul-o" efforts are getting repeat spins in your world right now? Not many, right?
Enter Clara Hill.
All I Can Provide is the follow up to her 2004 debut, Restless Times, and there's no sophomore slump for this German-born siren. In fact, I'd say things feel as good if not better the second time around. `Provide' takes listeners into a world of deep, silky and sophisticated soul. Clara gained major notoriety on Jazzanova's stellar In Between album as a guest vocalist and is a `go-to girl' for some of the producers she's collaborated with on Provide, like Vikter Duplaix, King Britt, Slope and AtJazz to name a few.
Clara's vocal approach fits just about every song and she doesn't over sing them. She allows the tracks to bubble, break and breathe. This is evident on King Britt's contribution, "Did I Do Wrong." It's a 4-on-the-floor/trance-type joint that takes on the texture of a Kraftwerk cut. Clara's vocal styling drips sensuality and it shows in her dance-driven duet with Vikter Duplaix called "Paper Chase", about a couple who wished their want for each other could pay the bills, "so they could chill." Clara's sexy, smoky delivery soars over, under and through some really beautiful tracks, most notably on her collaboration with AtJazz called "No Where". It's a splendid, deep and soulful song and quite possibly the best cut on the album.
Clara has the ability to move between lush lounge vibes and big-room bangers with ease. Her voice is so soothing she could sing the alphabet and have you mesmerized. Actually, there is an interlude track called "Wake Up" that oozes so much warmth and comfort, on one hand it makes you feel like a baby rising to its mother on a new day, while on the other hand, you could very well feel like a lover rising to greet Clara the morning after, whether "she's the one" or not! That's the beauty of her vocal talent. Clara also wrote most of the songs on `Provide' and produced several tracks outside of her collaborations, which shows her growth as an artist. Put this album in your rotation and leave it there. It's that good."
Soulful & Contemplative
sato b. | Bay Area, CA | 01/13/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Definitely worth getting if you like Jazzanova, Vikter Duplaix, and George Levin. Another solid release from the Jazzanova camp....even better than her last release "Restless"."
Pure perfection
Lady C. | NC | 09/13/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you liked Restless Times, you will simply NOT be able to eject All I Can Provide! Deep, soulful house numbers rubbing elbows with fun, jumpy little electro-ditties...
Just listen -- you'll play it for 6 months straight (minimum).
And how 'bout that first track ("What For")?! Gives me goosebumps every time. I swear, Clara Hill is unlike any other soul/house/dance artist out there... truly in a genre all her own.
And look out for stand-out performances from Kalle Kalima, Meitz, Atjazz, Vikter D.... the list goes on!
And just when I thought it couldn't get any better than "No Use" during her early Jazzanova days, Clara comes correct once again. I'm about to get her latest, Folkways: Sideways -- yet another gem showcasing her beautiful, folksier side.
If you haven't experienced the sounds of Ms. Hill, you must!
"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1