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Biography
In 2004, Lina moved to up-and-coming urban adult label Hidden Beach, which has recently made a name for itself with intelligent, offbeat adult soul artists such as Jill Scott. Lina's Hidden Beach debut, the adult-oriented The Inner Beauty Movement, was released in June, 2005, several months after its initial single, "Come to Mama," hit radio. True to her genre-bending ways, Lina continues on the new disc to ambitiously combine elements of various contemporary and past styles, with mixed results. She's especially fond of early swing sounds of the 1920-30s and mixes them with modern beats and sensibilities. While these arrangements are interesting, they occasionally -- especially when combined with her high pitched, sometimes pouty voice -- come off as rather gimmicky and take away from what is really an excellent bunch of compositions.
When Lina downplays the retro-arrangements the album shines, especially on the reggae-influenced "Hope, Wish & Pray," the very nice midtempos, "I Am," "Smooth" and "Let It Go," and especially on the infectious "Come to Mama." What comes through most on Inner Beauty is what a fine songwriter Lina has become. Her tunes are memorable and her lyrics, here thematically covering topics of self-esteem and independence, work quite well.
In our homogenous Mc-processed hip-hop musical world, it is difficult to criticize an artist who is doing something as different as The Inner Beauty Movement, so I'll applaud Lina for showing a unique, individual style, even though I don't think it always works. And despite my misgivings about some of the album's arrangements, The Inner Beauty Movement leaves little question that Lina is an extremely talented and courageous singer/songwriter who should make some waves with this disc for all the right reasons.
By Chris Rizik
Listen to interview at HoneySoul.com
Listen to interview at SoulTalk
Comments
Lina: Inner Beauty Movement
AftaMidNite - October 26th, 2007
Chris's critique of Inner Beauty Movement reads as if he's missed the point. His lack of appreciation 4 musik from the early 20's an' 30's took away from what should have been a critical ovation for this stand out recording. What he felt was gimmicky is what I found made both her cd's memorable and unique. In a market place full of Stepford sounding "soul" Lina offers rare fare.
The one song not mentioned in any of the articles I've read about this cd should have been the lead single. "Leaving You", is a groove made for late night rides up the West side with the Palisades decorating the Jersey lights. That haunting horn reminiscent of Ragtime and Big Band eras gone. Followed by "I Am" a soul-full mantra for anyone who's ever felt like giving up. "Around the World" featuring Anthony Hamilton, "Story Goes" featuring Big Rube, "Run to Me", "Smooth" all make this an almost seamless progressive soul-filled groove.
This is grow up, grown up music. Lina pays homage to where she coming from as well as where she's going. It's no wonder she's not struck the thunder that other less wonder-full newcomers have.
I lucked up on her cd a year and some change late but have been cheering from the make up for it section ever since.
My only hope is that Lina does not succumb to the critiques and pressures of the market swindlers and peddlers but continues to let the ancestors speak to her and through her.
If u Find That Special Lover
But Love Keeps u Tied 2 Another
That's The Way It Goes
On Loves Train
