(February 11, 2025) When vocalists match their artistic vision teaming with like-minded producers and musicians, their dreams of achieving a respectable career can be very encouraging. Singer/songwriter Jessica Jolia first made noise in the independent urban market a decade ago on an acoustic gem entitled “Sometimes,” a poignant tale of wrestling with a sour romantic breakup.
“Sometimes” began a prosperous relationship for this Sacramento, California native with the production team Rhythm Section Entertainment and trumpeter Lin Rountree, among others. And her intricate vocals and multi-octave range blending modern R&B, classic soul, and dance have been a producers’ and musicians’ delight. In 2018, SoulTracks’ First Listen page introduced Jolia with a Rountree and Rhythm Section Ent. collaboration, “Stronger Still.”
Besides her talent in front of the microphone, Jolia has been behind the board as a recording engineer for many of her Dekada Records catalog. While yet to release a full-length, Jolia teams with another producer/musician Yaahn Hunter, Jr. (gospel’s The Wall Group) on her first E.P., The Life. This mellow contemporary R&B 6- song soundtrack includes, “Ooh La La,” mixed and mastered by Rhythm Section Ent., where Jolia’s quick-witted penmanship calmly declares that the trust factor in loving commitments wins out despite past failures:
“Tried to make excuses why I shouldn’t do this/
Don’t wanna put in time to see it go to ruin/
‘Cause I’ve been bruised and been broken in love/
But if it’s you, it just might be enough.”
This funky chill vibe crafted by Hunter, Jr. rides on clicking percussion and bass droplets, while the warm keyboards surround Jolia’s matter of fact vocal narrative. Check out “Ooh La La.”
By Peggy Oliver
