Product Description

Rachelle Ferrell began as an R&B-tinged jazz singer, lending funk and soul to highly original takes on jazz standards. On INDIVIDUALITY, the tables are turned, and Ferrell uses her jazz chops in the service of some highly individual-sounding R&B.
Unlike R&B artists who try to expand the genre's boundaries from within, Ferrell arrives armed with a highly developed harmonic sense that allows her not just to deconstruct, but to virtually reinvent modern R&B as we know it. Inthis endeavor, she's aided by some fellow genre-benders, including '70s fusion hero George Duke and harmolodic jazz-funkateer Jef Lee Johnson. Over a soundscape that is unrelentingly percolating and funky but never predictable, Ferrell utilises both her range and her strong sense of dynamics to invest every tune with unmistakable passion.

Track Listing

1. Individuality (Can I Be Me)
2. Sista
3. Will You Remember Me
4. I Forgive You
5. I Gotta Go
6. Why You Wanna Mess It All Up
7. Gala
8. Run To Me
9. Reflections Of My Heart
10. Satisfied
11. I Can Explain

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #91950 in Music
• Released on: 2000-10-09
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
Individuality (Can I Be Me?) is the third album by jazz-soul singer/pianist, Rachelle Ferrell. In the eight years between her self-titled album and Individuality, the highly idiosyncratic, "take no prisoners" Philly-born stylist has moved into a field of her own. No stranger to her home-town's take on R&B, Ferrell has consciously developed her jazz-conscious sound to incorporate the late 1990s, early 21st century's penchant for funky neo-soul. Although Me'shell N'dege Ocello is a kindred spirit (especially on Bitter), Ferrell shares the New Age leanings of that other Philly home-girl, Jill Scott. Helped along by guests that include vocalist/guitarist Jonathan Butler, Ferrell sounds like she spent the years since moving to New Mexico developing a spiritual life (her dedications stretch to thanking her Pilates and Reiki instructor as well as an acupuncturist). This is also evident in soothing love songs to Mother Earth, like "Gaia" and "Sista". She is in her element on the quietly intense blues-soul of "Reflections of My Heart", a warm and tender duet with her brother, Russ Barnes, but also pioneers some head-noddin' grooves on "Satisfied" and the very funky "Will You Remember Me". The retro-chic continues with "Run To Me", where Ferrell showcases her astonishing--almost seven-octave(!)--range, and the engaging final track, "I Can Explain". Both familiar and unique, Individuality (Can I Be Me?) is a great album. Prepare to be Seduced. --Na'solo So' Fahed

Customer Reviews

Breathtaking
I discovered this album about six months ago and I don't know how I survived before without it as I have to play it every day and I discover something new everytime!! Considering I have been collecting music for thirty years believe me - this is the total boomer - Rachelle Ferrell has delivered the perfect package. The slow songs are totally sublime especially Run to Me which is perfect. Other highlights are I Gotta Go and I Can Explain where Rachelle shows off her impressive vocal ability.There is not one bad song so - go on buy it - Rachelle can heal your soul!!

Excellent chilled tunes
Wish I'd found this sooner! :-) Superb range of tunes, all gel nicely to produce one of those CDs you can come back to time and time again.... Excellent voice & cracking piano.