Spins: Album reviews

Yolanda Johnson – Breathing

Artist: Yolanda Johnson
Title: Breathing
Label: Meta Music
Genre: Soul/Electronica/Nu-jazz

Breathing is a suitable name for Yolanda Johnson’s proper full length debut; the album is as effortless and essential as breathing itself. Original in every way, Yolanda adds her own spin onto progressive soul with her unique vocal style and production that ranges from esoteric electronic soul to hip-hop flavored nu-jazz arrangements. The final piece is a dynamic work that showcases Ms. Johnson’s range and creativity.

Yolanda Johnson’s vocal style is a major part of her original sound. It is a jazzy instrument that flutters around on butterfly wings, bounces off the walls and floats among the clouds. It is completely unpredictable and thus serves as the backbone for an album that surprises at every turn. There are so many styles and sounds on Breathing that it will take a few listens to fully ingest them all, but once you do an album of several charms and highlights will be discovered. Progressive head-nodding neo-soul joints such as “Music and Faith” and “Over You” will grab you on first listen with their familiar vibes. But when she takes that familiar sound and adds a taste of jazz as on the finger-snapping “Love Is A Game” and the hip-hop funk track “Intervention”, her brilliance begins to emerge. “When I See You” is a classic old school jam elevated by Yolanda’s upbeat vocals. The album centerpiece, however, is the slinky and sexy “I Need You”, a track that utilizes Yolanda’s swirling vocals to best effect, balancing it out with crisp percussion and gentle electronic effects.

Yolanda Johnson isn’t your typical R&B diva. With Breathing she has crafted a memorable opus that stands out from the pack. Get ready to inhale.

- Norman Mayers

www.myspace.com/yolandajohnson

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