A well-kept secret
Gary Wong | United Kingdom | 05/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I first heard of Rhona when I switched onto MTV Base UK last year and they played her debut single "Satisfied," which is the album's opening track. My first thoughts of Rhona were: 'Who's Rhona?,' 'Wow! Her vocals are fantastic,' and 'Great looks too!' I also thought the song was brilliant and could become a huge hit in the UK. However after that day I never saw the video again.I looked around the shops every so often to see if she ever released 'Satisfied' but in the end I gave up the search. Six months later in Hong Kong I saw her album on the shelf but unfortunately I did not take the opportunity to buy it! When I returned home to the UK I searched for her on the internet I was suprised to know that there is virtually no information on her. Her website did not have much about this mysterious artist and other shopping sites have not even heard of her - not even in her own country, the USA!I eventually found the CD online and bought it immediately. I think that "Rhona" is possibly my favourite album of all time so far - nothing can compete. "Satisfied," the opening track is an upbeat R&B anthem that incorporates Rhona's dynamic vocals with Rodney 'Darkchild' Jerkins' urban sounds. The two tracks that follow, "The Best of Me" and "Take what comes to you" are also catchy tracks which could also have become hits if they were released. When listening to the album's ballads for the first time you would think that you were actually listening to the modern-day Whitney Houston. "The First Time," "Last Goodbye" and "I will" portrays her vocal capabilities brilliantly. The album also includes a cover version of The Foreigners' "I want to know what love is" which is equally excellent. Unlike most R&B albums which drifts off into a mid-section of slushy ballads the album soon rises back up with two more upbeat tracks - "Time will tell," and "Miss your ways" which adds a touch of latin soul. "Look to the sky" has a funky gospel chorus and really puts you in a good mood. The closing track is "The Meaning of Love" which at first can sound like an outdated dance anthem but I slowly grew to like it.The Japanese import album includes a bonus track - a remix of "Satisfied" which I felt was a bit pointless really. Rhona certainly has the potential to become a huge star yet she has not had any publicity. Her background history is virtually unknown and her album has not even been released in the USA. Her executive producer Rodney Jerkins wants the album to sell in excess of 10 million - I think it could definitely happen but it hasn't yet."
RHONA RULES!
Michael D. Davis | Los Angeles, CA USA | 07/11/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I would personally recommend this cd. Rhona and I are really good friends and I was her personal hair and makeup person for her promo tour. And she is very talented vocally. She deserves the spotlight. For those who know little of her background Rhona is a former Mouseketeer. Yes she was alongside the likes of Britney, Christina, Justin, Felicity, JC and every other successful "teer". She amazing. She was also a regular cast member on the "Jamie Foxx Show".
I love her and she deserves to be heard by the world..
You will be pleased, delighted and filled with song. I never tire of hearing her voice and the love she puts in her songs.
D'Andre"
