Music Review: Lina

Lina: Morning Star Rising

I wasn’t looking for Lina when I found her, but I am absolutely elated for the discovery. In this age of shareware, the ability to download entire albums for free rarely brings about a time when I actually want to burn gas to purchase music from a store. Lina is one of those rare artists. I would fly to the moon to buy her music.

For me, it all began with her sophomore album. At the time, I didn’t know an album existed before or after Inner Beauty Movement. I had to do some serious research in order to discover this Texas deity. It’s a shame how hard and deep I had to dig just to find a simple bio on her; this young lady is an exquisite diamond choking amongst the coal lumps of less talented contemporaries.

As we have compulsorily listened to the weak vocal cords of the J-Lo’s and Cassie’s; the robotic clatter providing rappers who can’t sing the opportunity to belt out ballads; and the just plain ol’ talentless souls of whom greedy record labels force down our throats, music patrons have been left to ponder what happened to the quality of music? Why hadn’t I heard of Lina before? But I so choose not to dwell on the past, resolving to let it rest as black history. All I can do now is appreciate this wonderful discovery and share with others who yearn for good music.

Desperate and growing ever so weary of today’s pitiable marks of so-called melody I went on the overdue hunt for high-quality music. Wanted: Real Talent. Perhaps someone underground and unsigned. Something. Anything. Just let it be good I prayed to the music gods. And by the unearthing of the glorious Lina sweetly tucked away on iTunes, my pagan desires were answered. She was under the section marked “people who bought Ledisi also bought, etc…” and I’ve been a fan since.

Born Shelina Ward in Dallas, TX, Lina has become a multitalented artist with an ability not only to write her own songs, but also sing in eight languages. She glides easily across differing styles that range from contemporary jazz and neo-soul to old school R&B with even a twist of hip hop. Think scratchy tunes of an old black and white classic, coupled with the easy sophistication of Dorothy Dandridge arm and arm with the funky styles of Erykah Badu, and you’ve got Lina. Sounds like it shouldn’t work? You would be wrong. Her music is art deco makes love to a black Diana Krall with southern roots. Oh yes… it works.

In 2001, Atlantic Records first brought Lina onto the scene with the album Stranger on Earth- a creative blend of what can only be described as hip-hop with a bit of opera flava. Here in the US the debut album turned out the minor hit It’s Alright, a sexy jazz amalgamation of Jill Scott delicately kissing Billie Holiday. The albums first track, Playa No More did seemingly well in the UK, while I’m Not the Enemy was featured in the 20th Century Fox Film, High Crimes. Unfortunately, that was the brunt of what was to become Lina’s exposure. Stranger on Earth barely made a ripple, which in my opinion is a clear promotional blunder; the familiar failure to give adequate play to talented artists in order to make room for the voice box, panty dropping somnolent tunes that infest the airwaves. Although Lina’s embryonic voice resonates as a beginner with a foretaste for future greatness, the notion of greatness is present nonetheless and deserved far more attention than it ultimately received.

~Inner Beauty Movement~

Enter stage right, Inner Beauty Movement. It landed with a beautiful bang circa 2005 on the Hidden Beach label; emanating magnificent and infectious tunes like Come to Mama and Smooth. The sophomore album is evident that Lina has found her voice. Rich with tracks created to leave a lasting impression, each song entails rhythm to tattoo under silky lyrics, a powerful voice and a chicly unique style. Lina possesses this album and talent unapologetically. The promise of a talented young singer is delivered track after track with distinct neo-soul splendor. Void of the gimmicky production jingles encountered with Stranger on Earth, Lina takes neo-soul to make as her own. Pay close attention to the catchy lyrics and midtempo flavor of I Am. Or take the smooth rhythmic sound of Around the World performed alongside Anthony Hamilton for example. The success of Inner Beauty Movement was inevitable as Lina discovered her signature sound and made a creative dash for the door. It was the beginning of what would separate her from the likes of other neo-soul artists… and the start of a blossoming love affair between me and my love for Lina as an artist.

Naturally this led me to her third album Morning Star, independently released February 2008 by her own record label, MoodStar Recordings. The album has some astonishing 17 tracks. I’m usually leery of albums housing that many songs. From past experience, so many tracks packed onto one album is a good indication that it will suck. I always thought that record companies would cushion a CD with a substantial amount of songs because they know that only two or three of them are even worth hearing. The rest of the CD will simply suck because in reality, the artist sucks. Not so with Morning Star. Here is where my hit or miss theory fails to apply.

Morning Star is fresh and just innovating enough to restore my faith in music. It  premiers with a bang titled “Wake Up”. I won’t let you sleep on me the lyrics chime, daring you to fall asleep and it doesn’t let up from there. You think you may have heard it all before, but you can’t nail it down to any one area. You won’t. She is an artistic island all to herself. Notable songs: Between Us, a funky in your face, sexy punch that forces your hips to move and your neck to roll. The jazzy love song, I’ll Stick Around is another favorite of mine. Feel the Love is easy to love with a steppers beat perfect for doing the electric slide at a wedding. It reminds me of R. Kelly’s Step in the Name of Love. Everyday is another breezy-tempo feel that relaxes to pull you in while Through the Fire switches it up with its daring tango-esque sound. She also brings to the table Glory, a wonderful gospel duet with Dave Hollister (where has he been?) and a myriad of other tracks brilliant enough to guarantee you’ll find a favorite.

MoodStar Recordings

I was pleased to learn that MoodStar Recordings is her own. Every time I come across a worthy artist, I wait for the other shoe to drop- when they will give in to the cookie cutter demands of soul-stealing mainstream artistry and water down what made them attractive in the first place. I watched Vivian Green trade in her soulful style and short locks for a head full of weave and that less than memorable, markedly unremarkable angry sophomore album. I watched in horror as Musiq Soulchild left behind the sexy brother, afro-centric guy next door sound for the trite, heart pounding (think heart attack, not love) club type booty ‘ish that only a video hoe could love. The only thing keeping Musiq alive in my iPod is the fact that his latest album isn’t made up entirely of this kind of music. He still maintains some of that neo-soulful recipe that I so love. But with MoodStar Recordings as Lina’s own, I feel I can breathe a sigh of relief. Having some creative control, maybe the chances of losing that golden honey sound I adore has been slimmed.

“With so much technology, there are a lot of producer-driven artists,” says the Los Angeles-based singer. “The result is that tracks have become the meat versus the lyrics. And it’s become more about manufacturing mass-produced recordings. It can be difficult to be original, but I’ve always put passion into my writing and performing. I just let the music that’s inside of me flow out.”

In reading the aforementioned quote printed on MySpace, www.myspace.com/linamusic I am pleased to find that Lina will not allow the integrity of her music to be compromised, becoming intoxicated by the blaze of seeing her own name in lights. The certainty of riches to come soar miles above the metaphysicality of her sincere drive to maintain truth to her craft. It is that fuzzy line that divides the job from the career. It is what seperates the essential substance of salient art from the accouterments of simple sound. If you’re looking for nourishment of the soul, I assure you this artist delivers. It is above and beyond Morning Star rising.

Lina has risen.

To hear Lina and purchase her music, visit http://cdbaby.com/cd/lina2

~Lina Rising~