Regular Columnists

Artist: Wayna
Album: "Moments Of Clarity"
CD Review: CD REVIEW: Wayna - "Moments Of Clarity"

Genre: Neo-Soul/R&B
Sounds Like: Blu Cantrell/Lina/Erykah Badu
Technical Grade: 9
Production/Musicianship Grade: 9
Commercial Value: 9
Overall Talent Level: 9
Songwriting Skills: 9
Performance Skill: 9
Best Songs: Straight Up, Slums Of Paradise, So Long Heartache, Secret Identity
Weakness: ?
CD Review: There a lot of things that I could tell you about Wayna, a female, neo-soul artist/vocalist/songwriter from Maryland.

I could tell you that she holds a Bachelor's degree with a double major in English and Speech, but that only reveals her good study habits and the high value that she places on education...I could tell you that she was once a writer for former President Bill Clinton, but that would only communicate the level of her ambition and intellect...I could tell you that she won the 17th annual beauty pageant while at the University of Maryland and was crowned Miss Black Unity, but that would only conjure up images of her physical attractiveness and social activities...or I could tell you that she is the first artist to get signed to Stevie Wonder's new label, but that would only tell you that she's recognized as being industry worthy.

I could tell you all of those things, but I won't because they are not as important as what I'm about to tell music lovers and music professonals: she is simply put...poised, prepared, and deserving of major success.

From the opening of this twelve song project she instantly commands attention with a bright blend of talent, emotion, and vocal prowess that will disarm even the most resistant first-time listeners. How could you resist getting caught-up in her artistry when this CD has more hooks than a bait and tackle shop? The most commercial song with break-out radio potential, "Straight-Up," is the kind of track that you can't turn off and you can't get out of your head.

It is just one of the many solid contributions/collaborations made by and with her accomplished production team of Kev Brown, Dj Roddy Rod and James McKinney who mixed the musical elements of neo-soul, r&b, jazz, and hip-hop like a group of mad scientists. I wouldn't be doing this review justice if I didn't mention Abegasu K. Shiota and Thomas Gobena who produced and co-produced "Secret Identity," which has one of the funkiest/jazziest vocal arrangements ever recorded. It is a musician's song that will earn her respect and admiration among her peers.

With stellar songwriting, engaging lyrics, and magnetic vocals, "Moments of clarity" can easily be re-dubbed "Moments of Greatness," and there are plenty of those moments on this project.

Advice: Market and promote this project by any means necessary. It will pay off.

www.wayna.net