(November 29, 2017) It’s hard to believe that the movie Love Jones was released to a mass audience 20 years ago. That movie has aged well, and the glorious soundtrack aged even better. That soundtrack served as many listeners’ introduction to Houston native Trina Broussard, who shined on her cover of the Minnie Riperton classic “Inside My Love.” Out of all of the great music on that soundtrack from Maxwell, Meshell Ndegeocello and Marcus Miller, John Coltrane and Duke Ellington, Groove Theory and Dionne Farris, just to name a few, for many people Broussard’s take on “Inside My Love” stands as the definitive song on that soundtrack.
Broussard has remained busy over the last 20 years, despite the music industry’s inexplicable decision to make it as difficult as humanly possible for this talented artist to reach as many ears as possible. Inside My Love, the album Broussard released to capitalize the success of the soundtrack and movie, got shelved for more than a decade before Expansion records issued it. She’s released other projects that were positively received by those who heard them – Same Girl is something I play regularly. Unfortunately, that album too never received the support that it deserved. In the meantime, Broussard stayed positive and busy, often working as a backing vocalist. I most recently heard her contributing to Home: One Special Night at the Kimmel Center, the live album that Jeff Bradshaw made in 2015.
Broussard returns with a new song and a new sound with “Where I’m Supposed to Be.” Unlike much of her work that is rooted in a sound that meshed R&B with a jazz sensibility, “Where I’m Supposed to Be,” has more of a contemporary R&B sound. However, strong lyricism and those mature and silky smooth vocals remain a constant, and the total package makes that a release that will make “Where I’m Supposed to Be” appeal to listeners of all ages. Check it out.
By Howard Dukes
Trina Broussard – “Where I’m Supposed to Be”