The world renowned award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie debuted in 2001 with her Motown release Acoustic Soul. She followed up in 2002 with her sophomore CD Voyage To India and then in 2006 released her third album, ... more »the more personally expressive Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. She has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has received numerous awards and nominations including 16 Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, along with awards from BET, NAACP Billboard Music, Radio Music, MTV, VH1 Vogue Fashion, Essence Magazine and others. She has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Ashley Judd, John Legend and so many more. In between touring and writing music, India.Arie has served as an US Ambassador for UNICEF and has traveled to Africa several times addressing the AIDS crisis. She has used and shared her music to bring awareness to various causes; her single "I am Not My Hair" was the Centerpiece of Lifetime's Award-Winning Public Awareness Campaign, "Stop Breast Cancer for Life" and her song "Beautiful Flower" was used to raise funds for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. In June 2008 she launched her own label imprint through Universal Republic called Soulbird Music with her first signing singer/songwriter Anthony David. India.Arie says "SoulBird (which is another name for a butterfly), is meant to evoke the Energy of the music rather than the Style and will represent; music with intelligence and heart, music that moves people in their souls AND their bodies. Music with wings." The cathartic first single from David's new album, "Words," was nominated for a 2009 Grammy award.« less
The world renowned award winning singer/songwriter India.Arie debuted in 2001 with her Motown release Acoustic Soul. She followed up in 2002 with her sophomore CD Voyage To India and then in 2006 released her third album, the more personally expressive Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship. She has sold over 7 million copies worldwide and has received numerous awards and nominations including 16 Grammy nominations, 2 Grammy awards, along with awards from BET, NAACP Billboard Music, Radio Music, MTV, VH1 Vogue Fashion, Essence Magazine and others. She has collaborated with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, John Mellencamp, Bruce Springsteen, Ashley Judd, John Legend and so many more. In between touring and writing music, India.Arie has served as an US Ambassador for UNICEF and has traveled to Africa several times addressing the AIDS crisis. She has used and shared her music to bring awareness to various causes; her single "I am Not My Hair" was the Centerpiece of Lifetime's Award-Winning Public Awareness Campaign, "Stop Breast Cancer for Life" and her song "Beautiful Flower" was used to raise funds for the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. In June 2008 she launched her own label imprint through Universal Republic called Soulbird Music with her first signing singer/songwriter Anthony David. India.Arie says "SoulBird (which is another name for a butterfly), is meant to evoke the Energy of the music rather than the Style and will represent; music with intelligence and heart, music that moves people in their souls AND their bodies. Music with wings." The cathartic first single from David's new album, "Words," was nominated for a 2009 Grammy award.
"This album is phenomenal!!! I own all of India Arie's previous albums, and already this one is my favorite. India represents the quiet in a world of chaos. Her music has meaning, her lyrics have depth. This album will get you to look not just at yourself and your own 4 walls, but also on the world around you. India has maintained her integrity and self respect by once again refusing to give into the world's system oversexed marginal talent. The album is soulful, deep, theraputic, beautiful and sensual at the same time. It's great from beginning to end, so you can play it all the way through without skipping one song. Even the interludes she sings are hot. For those out there who have Vol. 1, Vol. 2 is much different. Vol. 1 is a great album if you've just had your heart broken or just got out of a relationship, while Vol. 2 is about real, true love. Love for yourself, and love for one another. I have to say also that India's voice has never sounded better. She hit some notes on this album that I didn't know she could hit! I can't say enough about it, except Buy It!!!! You will not be disappointed.
Although I love all the songs, my favorites are:
Therapy
Ghetto
Chocolate High
He Heals Me
Pearls
Long Goodbye
Better Way"
Still super optimistic
Nse Ette | Lagos, Nigeria | 02/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"India.Arie turns in another stellar effort of her fourth CD. The follow up to "Testimony Vol. 1" which garnered her first US #1 album. Musically, she sticks to her acoustic Soul style almost Folk-like in places, with deep social conscious lyrics.
Lead-off single is the retro organ-drenched sultry "Chocolate high" with Musiq Soulchild. The Folk-y "Therapy" (featuring Gramps Morgan) is a more upbeat fast strummed number. Keeping up the tempo are the groovy Hip Hop/Jazz-tinged "Psalm 23" (with MC Lyte), the Blues/Rock "Better way" (about the issues unearthed by Hurricane Katrina and other ills), and closing bonus cut "A beautiful day".
Standouts to me are the awesome Latin-tinged "Ghetto" ("To be hungry in LA/is just like starving in Bombay" she sings, telling us poverty and hardship is shared by all humanity), her beautiful West African-tinged take on Sade's sombre lament "Pearls" (featuring Dobet Gnahore, some lovely harmonies, and including a woman in Rwanda in the lyrics), the tender acoustic ballad "He heals me" (a beautiful love song), and the retro sounding "Yellow" (featuring Terrell Carter) which sounds like some lost song from seventies Stevie Wonder.
India's lyrics, as usual, brim with over-positivity and optimism, something that oddly puts some people off. I wonder why, lyrics like this are a welcome escape from the harsh and sad realities of the world. Another solid outing from the talented Ms. Arie, a winner!"
Not disappointed - Love it!
willow | 02/13/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have all of India.Arie's albums, and have been looking forward to this new one, but wasn't sure what to expect...I was surprised to discover this is one of my favorites! Positive, joyful, diverse and lovely songs. India.Arie continues to be one of my favorite artists."
The Best as Usual
Anna Hemmingway | 02/11/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"India's done it again. I know not many people can get with the meaning of some of her work. BUT--since becoming a die hard fan in 2000, her music has taught me to appreciate the art on a much deeper level than the commercial or superficial. She even explains her reasons for all of it on the inside cover. I definately have a better understanding of music and India's messages on life and love."
INDIA OH INDIA
William m Coles | BALTIMORE, MARYLAND United States | 03/21/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a musical gift. The most remarkable aspect of India is that she is a technical singer. She is a singer's singer. She sings the chords in such perfect melody and hits some incredible notes both high and low. And her subject matter, content is always on point, relevant to the times we live in. There definately should be more artist like her. I wish I had friends like her. God Bless You.
This cd continues her journey with memorable tracks like Yellow, and the interlude plays between the tracks expressing her gratitude to the most high. And oh course Chocolate High with her equal in male form, Musiq Soulchild, sends out a message of pride that we soon will not forget. I love everything about this release as I have each of her previous, each of building in encouragement and positive reinforcement.