Customer Reviews

Inner Beauty Movement

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lina is arguably the most unique soul singer to hit the scene in recent memory. Just ask the few people that even know who she is and they will tell you the same thing. But no matter if you are familiar with Lina or not, everybody should become more acquainted with her latest album The Inner Beauty Movement. After struggling to get any kind of spotlight in 2001 with Stranger On Earth, Lina jumps from Atlantic Records to Hidden Beach and released The Inner Beauty Movement with a little more clear sound unlike her earlier album. Although some might think she is too far out there, Lina actually mixes a little bit of old school with her new school ideology to give her sound that distinctive edge few others can manage to come up with.

With 3 interludes and 15 solid tracks, Lina channels the spirits of people like Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz singers along with the flavor of recent soul stirrers like Amel Larrieux and Jazzyfatnastees on her collection of eclectic material. However, don't confuse her music with any definite sound as Lina brings her own concocted brew to the potluck that is the music industry. A couple great tracks that proves this point are the subtle yet authoritative "Leaving You," the equally sophisticated "Hope, Wish & Pray" and late night groove "Smooth." Anthony Hamilton shares a tune with Lina on "Around The World" where they both show off their harmonic abilities. More revitalizing music can be found on "Peace And Love" and "I Am," while more jazzier melodies are present on songs like "It Could Be," "On My Own," and "My Fix."

Lina will have a tough time getting the younger crowd to sit down and enjoy an album like this. This is more for the coffee shops and lounges that us older folks are more familiar with. The Inner Beauty Movement will probably be slept on by the masses, but anybody reading this review is more than likely open to something different in their collection. If this describes yourself, then The Inner Beauty Movement is unquestionably your most ideal selection.

Hidden Beach recording artist Lina has just released her sophomore album The Inner Beauty Movement. Lina is one of the slew of female artists who came out in the early 2000's (Jaguar Wright, India.Arie, Vivian Green, Res), that were lumped into that neo-soul movement, but all of these artists are very different in their own right. Lina has a very unique style. Where as Jaguar is deep soul ala Aretha Franklin, and Res is rock, Lina is more along the lines of Esthero and Nelly Furtado. She is more of an alternative singer. Her latest album The Inner Beauty Movement opens up with the 1930's influenced "My Fix." It's a great song. The album is really great. The song "Leaving You," is about a failed relationship. "Fly" is an uptempo song and "I Am" is truly funky track and one of the best songs on the album. "Run To Me," is another great song. If you are looking for something different and special this summer pick up Lina's Inner Beauty Movement.

Lina's album is the kinda music many of us wish radio stations would put into rotation. The album is excellent from start to finish. The ideas are well put together musically and vocally. Musical artistry shine throughout this album with a radiant beauty rarely heard or experienced from today's average radio play. Many prop's to her and her production team.

This is an artist with album that doesn't need comparison to be appreciated. It stands on it's own merit, 15 solid musical ideas uniquely presented in a way that maintains and captivates interest.

IT'S DIFFERENT AND DIFFERENT IN A GOOD WAY, different for me is:
Alicia Keys
India Arie
Andre 3000

ALL have unique approaches to music that you can hear, not the same ole boring boxcutter type songs that so many talented artist are delivering today because of stale production ideas and record company exec's who don't have a clue how to develope the uniqueness of their artist.

This album's creative production presents this ARTIST with such clarity of daring to be different. It's a real nice blend of musical ideas from different "genres" to deliver a fresh sound.

Looking to have a musical jewel in your collection this is one to keep. My guess is many are going to want to get this album and be looking for it in years to come. It will be a RARE collectible.

Always looking for something new and different, I bought "Stranger on Earth," Lina's debut CD. While I wasn't totally taken in on the first listen, as I revisit the CD, I enjoy it alot...but not as much as I enjoy this one. "Inner Beauty Movement" is a wonderful collection of songs with Lina's distinctive sound, smoothed out just a little more from the first CD. When I played this one for the first time, I was taken in immediately. The whole CD flows seamlessly from one song to the next, but stand out tracks for me are "Hope, Wish and Pray," "Leaving You," "Smooth" and my favorite, "Run to Me." This is in the car rotation daily! This CD is so wonderful, I'm all about this "MOVEMENT!"

Lina's latest effort "The Inner Beauty Movement" is a surprise to say the least. Continuing along the same vein as her magnificent--and overlooked--debut "Stranger on Earth", this beautiful and very talented songtress scats and belts out tunes with the skill and finesse of the old skool jazz divas, only with a hip-hop modern day flava. Yes, it's been tried before by others of her ilk, but Lina convincingly pulls it off, mixing the old with the new, all the while conveying a message of unity, self-acceptance, peace, loyalty and love. Lina's music sometimes goes in the direction of what's already being played out on radio stations all over, but that may be a good thing for her. Perhaps now she'll get the much-deserved attention she didn't get from "Stranger on Earth". Hopefully with "The Inner Beauty Movement" and a new record label, I can say: "MAN! I wish they would stop playin' that damn song!!!!!" I won't bash the so-called "ladies of today's R&B"--they're semi-talented (sniggle) in their own way--but they could really learn a thing or two from Lina whose songwriting abilities, mirror her impressive vocal style. Highly Recommended!!!

Lina is on Hidden Beach now and they have really pulled everything the could out of this soul songstress. I can only wish she would get more push..she is a dynamic singer with a unique sound. I am sorry I missed her when she came to Va.

It's tight check it out!!

This CD is one of the greatest displays of talent by both artist and producers that a true music lover will ever hear. Lina shows of her versatility, her sass, emotions, and beautiful voice like no artist before or after her. Her words (written by her) are deep and moving. The concept of the album to transcend the listener back into the heyday of Billie Holiday on some tracks with a modern day kick is simply genius. I admit I had never heard of Lina before WHUR radio in Washington, D.C. began playing "Smooth" on the air. One listen to that song, and I wanted to know who this artist was and more importantly, where I could buy her music. This is not a CD you download, you have to buy this magnificent piece of work. The only thing you will think upon listening to this CD is I am totally impressed, mesmerized, in love and want to play this CD again when it gets to the last track. I am in my late thirties and I use to be in love with Denise Williams until I heard Anita Baker's "No more tears" and Anita became my baby from 1982 until I heard Lina's CD "The Inner Beauty Movement" in 2005. It's that good!!!

I wanted to add my voice to the fray -- two enthussiastic thumbs up for my girl Lina. This, her second release, now on the Hidden Beach label demonstrates great maturity and artistic growth. I can truly say that I am very pleased with the effort -- musically Lina and her producers have concocted a bevy of memorable melodies and arrangements, and lilting soulful vocals that take you back. The project is bouyed by clever production touches that aid rather than overshadow. On Inner Beauty, Lina has perfected her sound -- what started as a novely gimmick (30's and 40's sound samples) have now become a real identity. The songs are musical, rich with layers and textures, and plaintive singing. Lina's lyrics have a real sophistocation to them once you get past the self help cliches -- she manages to paint complex situations out of these and I find this to be an interesting achievement. Overall I think each song has merit and this is undoubtedly my album for the Summer of 2005.

Who Lina is...you need to find out..because she's all that and a side of candied yams! She has a refreshing flavor, a cool style and that voice of hers is just phenomenal. I own her previous CD "Stranger on Earth" and I played the grooves off that CD and now she returns with another fabulous project!

This CD is less edgier than the first (at least in my opinion) but I love the direction she's gone...it's much deeper and more grounded this time around. She's give a nice mix of tunes, great lyrics, serious grooves! You can put it on and not worry about hitting the skip button at all! Just let it play, from start to finish, you won't be disappointed! It's a complete musical feast for the ears! Stand out favs are : My Fix, Leaving You, Hope, Wish & Pray, I Am, Smooth, Run to Me and the fabulous: "This Time." See that's pretty much the whole darn Cd..lol. Oh and don't forget her fabu duet "All Around the World" with Anthony Hamilton.

If you're shopping for new music, you DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT want to leave this out of your collection.

She's got a throwback vibe with new flavor sprinkled all over it...and it's so delicious. Young female singers need to take notice, stand up and recognize a real talent..because this sister is the bomb! Welcome Back, Lina and thanks!

That's right "the fix" This album is hot. This woman is the cure for the common music industry. By her talent, vocally, lyrically there is no explanation as to why she shouldn't be on top with the music industry. Mixing Billie Holiday, and Josephine Baker with a little bit of Lil' Kim (freestyle) there is no explanation of the talent that she possesses. Being a sales counselor of home audio equiptment at a well known store her music is religiously played and gets pure props. The album this time is different from the first. She uses her voice more and gives a taste to us with more of a swing/hip hop. From the DJ scratchin' in the background it only makes us move even more. My favorite tracks are My Fix, Around the World, This time, Story Goes, and The hip hop beat smash Music. I advise you all to purchase all 4 of her albums yes she has 4 albums. There is one from the UK, and one on her label moodstar recordings that I advise every one to check out because this is definately "MY FIX".