Acoustic Soul

by India.Arie

Overview

As one of the most promising neo-soul artists yet to emerge in the past few years, India.Arie casts her lot with the best artists of her label's storied history, playing deeply introspective songs laced with glistening acoustic guitar, churchy organ, and smooth, supple beats. When she name-checks those artists no longer with us that she claims as influences (Ma Rainey, Miles Davis, Karen Carpenter, Charley Patton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Donny Hathaway, etc.) in three separate interludes, you have no doubt she is looking back as well as forward, even going so far as to invoke Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come." But Acoustic Soul is at its best when the arrangements are deliberately modern. And despite the uniqueness of being a guitar-based R&B album, it is Arie's thick, sandy voice that shares star billing with her exceptional lyrics. Betraying youthful vulnerability while at the same time projecting strength, confidence, and uncanny insight for a 25-year-old singer/songwriter, Arie wraps herself effortlessly around the deep, funky sensuality of "Brown Skin," and stands tall in defiance of pop-fashion expectations on the irresistibly catchy "Video." The uplifting "Faith, Courage, Wisdom" rides along on a euphoric chorus, and the plainly autobiographical "Back to the Middle" recounts an emotional and spiritual coming of age. Without the many concrete references to the great R&B music of the past, Acoustic Soul would be a purely modern gem, but as Arie is determined to pay her debts up front, it's much more, and that is admirable. ~ John Duffy

Product Details

Release Date:	11/15/2024
Label:	Slow Down Sounds
UPC:	0769165090430
Rank:	7805

Album Credits

Performance Credits

India.Arie   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic)
Supercat   Primary Artist
Larry Goldings   Guest Artist,Organ,Wurlitzer
Super Cat   Featured Artist
Ralph Rolle   Drums
Bashiri Johnson   Percussion
John Catchings   Cello
Doug Kahan   Bass
Mark Batson   Bass,Drums,Organ,Keyboards,Mellotron,Percussion,Synthesizer,Fender Rhodes
Steve Grossman   Drums,Percussion
Bob Power   Bass,Guitar,Conductor
Blue Miller   Guitar,Vocals,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Duane Covert   Vocals (Background)
Marlene Rice   Violin
Tony Harrell   Keyboards
Avery Johnson   Bass
Joyce Simpson   Vocals (Background)
Kerisha Hicks   Vocals (Background)
Judeth Insel   Viola
Nioka Workman   Cello
David Spak   Percussion
Terry MacMillan   Percussion
Laurnea Wilkerson   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Larry Goldings   String Contractor
Carlos Broady   Composer,Producer,Programming
Shannon Sanders   Composer
Mark Batson   Composer,Producer,Programming,String Arrangements
S. Sanders   Composer
Paige Lackey   Composer
The Unit   Composer
India Arie Simpson   Composer
Karesha Hicks   Composer
Alvin Speights   Mixing
Bob Power   Mixing,Engineer,Producer,Programming
Blue Miller   Mixing,Composer,Engineer,Producer,Programming
India.Arie   Composer
Chris Athens   Mastering
Mike Shipley   Mixing
Duane Covert   Composer
Mike Tocci   Engineer
William Miller   Composer
Dave Way   Mixing
Anthony David   Composer
Avery Johnson   Engineer
Kejuan Muchita   Composer
Jon Smeltz   String Engineer
Jim Lightman   Mixing,Engineer
Lovis Scalise   Engineer
Joyce Simpson   Stylist,Composer
Kedar Massenburg   Executive Producer
George Karras   Mixing
Cornelius Barnes   Composer
Chris Mazer   Mixing
Kevin Haywood   Mixing,Engineer
Mark Niemiec   Engineer
Liz Loblack   Product Manager
M. Batson   Composer
Michael Benabib   Photography
B. Miller   Composer
Sandy Brummels   Creative Director
Roxanna Floy   Make-Up
Jason Breckling   Assistant Producer
Kwaku Alston   Photography
Annalee Valencia   Design,Art Direction