Album Review: Kim Burrell – ‘A Different Place’
Artist: Kim Burrell
Album: A Different Place
Street Date: 9/4/15
Record Label: Shanachie
Genre: R&B/Jazz/Gospel
iPod Pick: Higher
Kim Burrell is that artist who goes to the studio rarely (and literally, I mean once in 9 years!) that we want to go like every 6 months. Many gifted musicians have praised Kim’s gospel music. In fact, I caught Jessie J once on an episode of The Voice saying she listens to Kim Burrell. Beyoncé and the ‘Take-My-Breath-Away’ coverer Jessica Simpson have mentioned Kim as one of their influences. She’s been referred to a couple of times as this generation’s Ella Fitzgerald and the legendary Chaka Khan has mentioned her as one of the most interesting voices she’s ever heard. If you are new, on first listen to Kim’s music, you will hear heavy elements of Jazz with deep grooved R&B mixed at the edges with very experimental sounds.
On ‘A Different Place’ Kim is not afraid to try new things. In fact, she stretches the boundaries of RnB music a little bit wider. Like on the sunny ‘Thank You Jesus’, we hear synths reminiscent of the Grammy winning alternative artist St. Vincent ‘s ‘HELP ME!’ chorus for her very dark “Marrow” song. Even the beautifully done ‘I Worship’ might remind you of the oriental sound used in RnB such as on Truth Hurts’s Addictive. It is simply strewn and proves that less is definitely more even in music and Kim’s voice comes across as a well-played instrument. In fact, Kim brings in some rap on Kathy Taylor’s ‘Have Your Way’-esque I’m Free Indeed.
Even the bouncy ‘Falling in Love with You’ adds a dose of creativity to the record, letting us in on the artist’s creative process. For the overall tune of the song, picture Kim walking down a runway with back ground singers in stilettos, Toni Braxton’s style. I love a line Kim sings on this song ‘You loved me so much till I began to love myself’.
Father I Stretch My Hands, Higher, Have Faith in Me (Mark 11:23) and It is Done are great pressing-in songs. In fact on Father, I Stretch My Hands, Kim puts in a voice over that might remind us of her epic character on R. Kelly’s 3 Way Phone Call.
At the end of the 11 track CD, I can certainly say that Kim has released a solid record that already fans would love wont fail to attract new fans of the genre. My only concern: I hope it does not take years before we get a follow up. If it is to more excellent music, we will gladly wait.
