Soultracks Music Review: Brandy, B7

If you were to ask an industry newbie what they aspired to achieve as an entertainer, the list probably includes a lot of what’s already a reality for Brandy Norwood. Her irresistible and eponymous 1994 debut, Brandy, went multi-platinum and introduced pop and R&B audiences to a Mississippi native with a sweet face and sultry voice in the process of becoming a star. From the 90s forward, Brandy’s effervescent ‘girl-next-door’ persona translated into hit singles (“I Wanna Be Down,” “Have You Ever,” “What About Us,” “Who Is She 2 U,” “Put It Down,” to name only a few), million-selling albums (Never Say Never, Full Moon, Afrodisiac,) sitcoms and TV/film roles (“Thea,” “Moesha,” “Double Platinum,” “Zoe Ever After,” I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor) and becoming the first African-American woman to portray Cinderella (ABC, 1997) and the lead role (along with Lana Jordan) in Chicago The Musical (2017).

Even with personal and professional turmoil—a contrived image-conscious ‘marriage’ to the father of her daughter Sy’rai, a broken engagement from executive Ryan Press and a 2006 auto collision that was settled out of court without criminal charges, yet cost the life of another driver—Norwood has earned numerous honors and awards, retaining first-name-only recognition and a fervently-devoted fan base, which should enjoy her latest release, the stealthily-released and achingly expressive B7.

Helmed with the Grammy-Award nominated songwriter and producer, Daharyl “DJ” Camper (Tamar Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and NeYo), Brandy basically delves into her experiences as, well, a grown-ass woman, in front of and away from the spotlight. At 41, she’s far from a relic but is certainly seasoned in life’s ups and downs, and with the well-honed chops to convey them: Camper’s tracks, though coherent, have a gossamer, airy feel to them, swirling under Norwood’s vocals like a musical embodiment of mist: “Lucid Dreams,” for example, asserts self-determination and clarity about what she won’t allow herself to endure in the name of love: “One more strike and I’m out, I had to figure it out/before I lose, lose me to you.”

The soothing cadence of one of the first singles, “Borderline,” acknowledges vulnerability with a new love……(click here to read the full B7 review at soultracks.com)

By Lorrie Irby Jackson

Motherofcolor.com showcases the writings of an intelligent and socially savvy wife, mother and journalist who explores a variety of topics (culture, politics, race and gender issues, etc.) with a unique African-American/womanist perspective.* *COPYWRITTEN CONTENT, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED (c) . "Melody Charles," "Chocolate Mama & "Le[e] L[e]e Symone" are writing alter egos/pen names*

View all of Lorrie Irby Jackson's posts.