Singer-songwriter Kina seems well past waiting for stardom to come her way; three of the first four tracks on her self-titled debut album concern themselves with the subject either in full or in passing. One of them, "Gi... more »rl from the Gutter," began to win her fans through video and radio even before this disc's release, so at some point she might be able to stop wishing. If Kina indeed ends up a hit, however, it won't be because of anything particularly special about its contents. Although blessed with a strong, soulful voice, Kina displays little knack for saying anything interesting; aside from her dreams of fame, she fills these songs with pedestrian declarations of love and (on "U Don't Know") claims of her unpredictability. Finally, Kina's straight-down-the-middle production sets the artist down in tracks that sound like an unholy meld of Sting's empty lushness and Melissa Etheridge's bland heartland rock. Come to think of it, the narcissism of tunes like "Stop" and "Me" makes that the perfect sonic blend for her. --Rickey Wright« less
All Artists:Kina Title:Kina Members Wishing: 0 Total Copies: 0 Label:Dreamworks Original Release Date: 7/18/2000 Release Date: 7/18/2000 Album Type: Enhanced Genres:Pop, R&B, Rock Style:Contemporary R&B Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC:600445011328
Synopsis
Amazon.com
Singer-songwriter Kina seems well past waiting for stardom to come her way; three of the first four tracks on her self-titled debut album concern themselves with the subject either in full or in passing. One of them, "Girl from the Gutter," began to win her fans through video and radio even before this disc's release, so at some point she might be able to stop wishing. If Kina indeed ends up a hit, however, it won't be because of anything particularly special about its contents. Although blessed with a strong, soulful voice, Kina displays little knack for saying anything interesting; aside from her dreams of fame, she fills these songs with pedestrian declarations of love and (on "U Don't Know") claims of her unpredictability. Finally, Kina's straight-down-the-middle production sets the artist down in tracks that sound like an unholy meld of Sting's empty lushness and Melissa Etheridge's bland heartland rock. Come to think of it, the narcissism of tunes like "Stop" and "Me" makes that the perfect sonic blend for her. --Rickey Wright
"This cd truly transcends all the boundries in todays music. Kina is'nt afraid of being original. As a former member of the group Brownstone Kina stepped away from that sound and has really let her own true self be heard on this cd. She's got the vocal power of Tina Turner and Chaka. It's a shame the public has'nt ever completely gotten to know Kina's music. I guess a black woman who can rock is just not on todays menu, but for all of us fans she is the daily special. (Smile)
Too many talented people are so overlooked in todays music industry and I'm sick of it. When will it end. Come on industry people we're not all 10-15 year olds who idolize former disney channel kids....
Ooh and also the hidden track at the end of the cd is one of the most haunting and powerful songs I have heard in such a long time. Kina's got it!!!!!"
Intense, Beautiful, Sexy, Brash, emotional...
Tambay A. Obenson | Brooklyn, NY USA | 08/12/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If you enjoy music from the likes of Alanis Morissette, Meshell Ndegeocello, and even Sinead O'Connor, you will definitely enjoy Kina! Her style has elements from each of the artist I mentioned above. You may have heard people use the phrase "Female Angst" when Alanis Morissette released "Jagged Little Pill." I have a feeling that Kina will probably be plastered with a similar label. I bought the CD without having heard any of the tracks on it. I enjoyed her voice when she was with Brownstone a few years ago - a group whose style I liked very much - and I was very curious to hear what Kina had to offer solo. I did not really know what to expect as I opened up the CD package. After listening to the CD the first time, I found it to be just about average. However, after listening to it over and over again, I really started to enjoy what I was hearing, and, as a matter of fact, I could not stop listening to it, especially the opening track, "Girl From The Gutter," a very intense ride to start things off with. Kina's powerful voice reminds me a little of Tina Turner. She definitely has a slightly hoarse sound to her vocal tones, and she shows that she certainly has some range. There are some really good songs on the CD, songs that you will probably want to listen to over and over and over again, because they are that intense. It's not R&B, it's not POP, it's not Rock, it's not Hip-Hop, etc, etc, etc. Kina is a solid mix of a variety of music styles. I recommend this CD to those that are seeking something a little different, and something powerful and meaningful to listen to, something that will move you from beginning to end, one way or another."
Not bad for a girl from the gutter like Kina...
Geminiguy | Bloomington, IN | 06/05/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
""Girl From The Gutter" starts playing and you just freeze as you listen to the lyrics. As I listened, it made me wonder if her time spent with Brownstone was as bad as the song implies. Yikes. Still, it is one of those songs that grabbed me and twisted even as I gasped for breath. I was expecting the rest of the album to have the R&B flare of Brownstone, but I must admit that I am more satisfied with the was it is instead of how it may have been. Kina rocks out on the collection of songs, and while critics declared that she had nothing new to say... I beg to differ. "Have A Cry" is an eye opening song and it makes you realize that not everyone can be healed with kind words or other peoples posative energy. "Give and Take" is such a soft, sweet sounding song and I never thought I'd say that about a song that has the line,"go and get me a rose, I'll go and get you a beer", but it is true. The romantic vibe is strong with that song. My favorite track on the album would have to be "Me" because it is one of the most posative self appreciating anthems that I have ever heard, and it is a song that should be listened to by any teenager who is battleing issues with self esteem. All in all... Kina has put out a wonderful album and I eagerly await her next one!"
A Good Start...
NappyGirl | United States | 07/25/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This disk probably won't be on any critics "Best of..." list this year but Kina is an artist that shows a lot of promise. I first read about her in a very short magazine piece a few months ago and since then she's popped up on the occassional talk show. Kina isn't an artist that can be easily put into a box. She has a beautiful voice that many have compared to Tina Turner's. Like Turner, Kina's music has a pop/rock edge to it that virtually guaranatees that she'll get little airplay on "Black" radio stations and zero airplay on those same "White" stations that can't get enough of Eminem. The CD's breakthrough single "Girl From the Gutter" is also it's finest, showcasing the best of Kina's voice. The CD is full of the same power ballads ("I Love You") and toe tappers that are so popular these days with a few surprising singles like the egotistcal "ME" thrown in for flavor. Lyrically, Kina has a long way to go, sometimes she comes across a little too bitter from her days as a backup singer and girl group hanger while other times her words are just plain silly.That being said, the disk is still enjoyable. Think more Sheryl Crow than Whitney Houston. If you get a chance to see her live, go for it!"
Where is kina?
P. Adams | florida | 03/22/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"every so often i'll go online and submit a search looking for Kina. i think the industry is unusually harsh on most talented vocalists and musicians alike. moreso than commenting on how much i love her debut album ( i play it so much and never tire of it)what bothers me is her absence. will she put out another cd? i hope we hear from her again. i shudder when i think of how many artists we are deprived of due to marketing, fickle sales and competition.
its daunting to know you can be extremely talented and never get noticed. damn shame really.
kina is a versatile artist who could sing anything her heart desired and still send goose bumps down your spine. "still here" makes me cry sometimes, love that song. "girl from the gutter", what more can i say, "have a cry" is poignant and so true sometimes, expressing what we all feel in a world that expects us to immediately pick ourselves up after chummy advice, even when people do mean well. some people criticize some of the subject matter as tiring, c'mon, people will always write, sing, paint, sculpt and sketch these subjects...so universal and timeless.