Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship

CD Details

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Log onto an India.Arie lyrics page and you won’t come away expecting an easy-breezy listen–here’s an artist, remember, who made a name for herself by declaring her disdain for silicone and Cristal on her 2001 debut. What’s consistently a revelation for new recruits to the Arie camp, then, is how good the music makes you feel. No matter how heavy the subject matter (and it still gets heavy–God surfaces in the first verse of “Intro,” the prayerful opening song), she delivers it in such a way that it ends up feeling like homespun wisdom–accessible, cloudless, and heartening. Testimony, no minor R&B/soul achievement, is full of such earth-mother moments: “The Heart of the Matter,” a cover of the Don Henley song, is what a hug might sound like if it were music; “There’s Hope” reminds tunefully that you don’t have to pay to smile (“You better thank God for that”); “Private Party” points up the benefits of getting naked before a mirror and liking what you see (impossible as that sounds, it’ll seem less so after listening); and “I Am Not My Hair,” a sexy thumper featuring Akon, celebrates not the hair, not the skin, but “the soul that lives within.” Musically, “Testament” is a testament to the benefits of branching out; in addition to gospel and hip-hop, you’ll also find country and pure pop forays here. All of it works, and works wondrously. Arie may be the Oprah of the music world: she’s spiritual, she’s got her head screwed on straight, and whatever she touches turns to gold. Or at least it ought to. –Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Testimony: Vol. 1, ‘Life & Relationship’ is India. Arie’s 3rd career album and the first in a series. Testimony celebrates the strength gained from learning one’s life lessons. Again, India. Arie deftly handles complex subjects with beautiful lyrics filled with simple wisdom. The new disc was produced by longtime collaborators Shannon Sanders (Heather Headley, Joss Stone) and Mark Batson (Seal, Beyoncé) among others. In 2007, India. Arie plans to release a follow up to ‘Life & Relationship’ which will be called Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics.