Girs Voice Studio 9

When Momoe Shimano's 2nd album "Roots" came out it stayed on repeat play for the whole summer. This is its follow up and it marks a bit of a departure for this talented and charming singer. The pace is a bit diversified and elements of jazz, dance and hip hop play alongside the more traditional soulful rhythms that made me fall in love with Momoe's previous releases. And it's when she sticks to such traditional arrangements that this album shines. Others are somehow slightly off-beat, making this sound almost like a remix album with too many styles thrown in the pan. Shimano's signature breathless vocals keep everything together and give the whole thing cohesiveness. Verbal provides the gangsta element (on Did it Again?) and regular guest Mummy-D's rap is tight and credible. All and all, not as great as her previous album but still superior to most releases by other ailing J-soul divas. Oh, and a definite 0 for the awful cover art...