::ALBUM REVIEW::
by J Matthew Cobb
Posted: October 23, 2009

Maybe the neo-soul gospel movement isn’t over yet. Big labels tried to give wind to the emerging genre with projects by Lisa McClendon and Sunny Hawkins. They probably didn’t get the major push they were hoping for, but it did introduce traditional gospel listeners to the newly-imported gospel style. Still, Adriane Archie, whom in 2002 introduced us to her charmingly scriptural, Funkadelic-inspired theme album HTHAELHH (He That Hath An Ear, Let Him Hear), rose from the indie world to give the R&B sub-genre a needed push of resuscitation with gospel audiences. Unlike Archie, very few artists have been successful in making the sounds of neo-soul accessible to the vast majority of gospel consumers. But strongly working the marketplace turfs as an independent using sporadic Lauryn Hill influences made her a favorite from the get-go.

Reuniting once again with longtime producer Joel Goodwin, Archie returns with Heart Soul Mind & Strength (HSMS), her debut’s follow-up (minus the holiday album). It’s a substantial improvement of sorts. “All I Need Is Love” pulsates like a gay house anthem and vividly explodes with exuberant party life as she chimes “this place’s about to blow...pump it up.” Far from her neo-soul workouts, the party track gets amiable and fiercer after just a few repeats. “Also” speaks of God’s omnipotence in a dizzy synth funk track tagged with Jill Scott neo-soul twirls. Throughout the lengthy 17-track collection, good beats (“So I Know,” “Three Things,” "Strong") and the occasional relaxed ballad surfaces (“Word and Testimony,” “Friends”), but there seems to be a lack of heavy hitters in the mix. It seems like most of the tracks, while strong in its abstract lyricism, follow an ironic pattern of similarity. And with seventeen tracks on board, the good tracks are meshed way deep into the lengthy assembly.

One track, in particular, shines and dims in a matter of minutes. The cool midtempo beats and light piano encircling Mary J’s songbook (a la “Be Without You” or ‘Take Me As I Am”) on the opening segment of “Nothing From Something” is a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately, the second half does a complete 180 when Nemo guests with a rap and the beats double up for the worst. Fans of techno jazz may get high off of the super change, but it’s definitely a mouthful for those vibing the early moments.

Mainstream or not, neo-soul suffers for its laidback-ness and its borderline cozy lounge jazz vibes; oftentimes dipping into forgetfulness due to its own share of predictability. HSMS isn’t all that predictable, but there’s a strong propensity on board leaving listeners hungrier for more meat and less bread. Heartbreaking as it is, nothing sticks out like “All I Need Is Love.” And not every one is going to go bonkers for such a rollicking club banger. Still, it’s a pleasant entry for Archie and demystifies some of her inner desires to broaden her musical horizons from neo-soul’s limitations.