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Amel Larrieux, formerly of mellow duo
Groove Theory, unleashes her wholesome musical and personal aspirations on her ear-catching solo debut,
Infinite Possibilities. A fusion of hip-hop, groovy R&B, jazz, and Middle Eastern and African rhythms overlaid with the singer's soulful vocal meanderings, the album resonates with the influences of
Sade,
Innervisions-era Stevie Wonder, and
Prince. All the while thoughtful and respectful to God, Larrieux's good-girl vibes are made less ordinary with a multilayered, proficient musical backdrop that deepens with each listen. The single "Get Up" reels the listener in with atmospheric synth notes and Larrieux's beguiling vocals, which spiral into a jazzy tone poem to close the track. "Sweet Misery" is another tune bolstered by her heartfelt vocal expressions, and "Infinite Possibilities" conveys the title's meaning as it builds to its climax of overlapping vocal rounds, dreamy keyboards, reverberating guitar chords, and plugging bass. "Down" is a striking funked-up variation on the piano-bar diva's usual melancholy mood. While not as gutsy as such contemporaries as
Macy Gray and
Angie Stone, Larrieux's vision for a modern, world-beat-savvy sound gains significance the longer it stays in the player.
--Rebecca Robinson
Product Description
Import edition of the 1999 solo album debut for the Groove Theory founder who also provided vocals on Sweetback's self-titled album. 12 tracks including the first hit, 'Get Up' and two bonus tracks, 'Get Up' (Thread Had Fun Main Mix and MVMig Mix (Radio))