Although Detroit, MI. native Roxanne Dawson spent a majority of her early years performing with others (her first venue was the family backyard with her brother in tow, and as an adult she lent her talents to groups like Annointed and Intrigue), it was inevitable that the rich, throaty range she possessed would put her in a spotlight all her own. And she takes full advantage of her expressive voice on her debut CD, Are You Ready.
Thanks to Dawson’s multiple musical influences of pop, jazz, gospel and R&B, …Ready takes the listener through a variety of styles, such as the shimmering sweetness of the opening number, "Do You Think About Me," and the optimistic, choir-anchored mid tempo groove, "Life Is a Gift." "Midnight, Moonlight & You," a duet between Dawson and a frequent collaborator on the project, Newz, is unabashedly romantic, as is the tender, Hallmark-ready "Love Story." Ms. Dawson’s version of the Minnie Riperton classic, "Memory Lane," retains the emotional conviction, if not the wistful longing, of the original version, and the weary wisdom peeking from behind the track of "Love’s Not What It Seems" conveys to the listener that Ms. Dawson has only scratched the surface of her potential as a star on the rise.
Music: 3 stars
Vocal: 4 stars
Lyrics: 3 stars
Production: 3 stars
Soultracks call: Recommended
By Melody Charles
