"MOJO" is the natural sequel to a way of thinking that Crystal Senter Brown had already expressed with her previous albums "Bee's Are Admired" (release in 2001), "Easybreezybeautifulcoloredgirl" (2004) and her children's book "Osirus". Her mix of Jazz and R&B beats and spoken words is very pleasant because it pays attention to both sound quality and poetry. But her sensitive lyrics also convey a simple message: love yourself and your own body for what it can do and how it makes you feel, not what it looks like. Such a message wishes to be an encouragement to all women who have weight problems and urges them to take care of their health. The first track "The DJ in Makema's Basement" reminds me a lot of Davina. The following song is more acoustic with a refrain that recurs frequently and repeats "In the dark..." The tracks follow one another quickly: the spoken words are accompanied by a few instruments, now by jazzy beats, now by R&B and hip-hop beats, now by bare tunes as, for instance, in "I need". The most catchy tune is the one which entitles the album "MOJO (Large and Lovely)", just dedicated to those who are plus sized. The next track is perhaps the worst of the album. Nevertheless in "Change Of Seasons" Crystal has a vocal style that remind me of the best Mary J Blige, the Mary who used to sing about ten years ago. This song has been written together with her brother Jerome Joseph Senter, just like the last track that close the CD with a very nice ballad. Maybe it's my favorite song of the album. All songs are produced by Jarreau Pitts of Beat City Productions. The artists who accompaines their spoken words with music aren't my cup of tea but i can recommend this CD to the fans of that genre.

Claudio Balestrino [Just Soul]

I always enjoy seeing how artists will put their songs together when taken out of the studio. And this was done as you would expect if you know India's albums well. Very raw, uncomplicated with stacks of soul. Built around acoustic guitar, lots of percussion and a couple of backing vocals, and of course India's amazingly heart felt vocals. India was taken to Bahia, Brazil as one of many artists in a series of DVDs put together called ' Music in High Places ' ( Produced by Earth Escapes, L.L.C. ) Which takes varied artists from varied genres and films them in exotic locations all around the world. The locations that have been picked as backdrops for this shoot ( which include playing on a sail boat as well as on the beach, in the water ) just sit so well with what India's music is all about. Enjoying life for life. It's not perfect but beautiful and full of simple pleasures. Between the song performances India and band are also meeting locals experiencing their culture through dance, local singers, trying out local percussion instruments, and even perform with a local percussion group who play along on India's performance of ' Video ' This DVD is as inspiring as India's lyrics, and captures so well what she sings about.The only thing I wish were different was that it were longer. The DVD features 7 songs, 6 of which come from India's debut album Acoustic Soul. Including ' Always in my head ', ' Beautiful ', ' Strength, Courage and Wisdom ' with a track named India's Song being the only song not featured on one of her albums. I have to say the songs chosen for this are among my favorites of her recordings and sound amazing with the atmospheric surroundings mixed in. Very raw yet smooth as well. India's music is a beautiful addition to the world. For music that heals the soul you can't go past India.Arie.

Jeff Sheppard [Just Soul]