R&B, Blues, Soul & Stax

VOICES Notes and news on R&B, Blues, Soul & Stax releases

Give Me Moore

24 JUN 08 DAVID NATHAN

The recording industry has undergone many changes since Chanté Moore debuted on the scene with her distinctive style, a mix of sultry soulfulness and passion and superb vocal skills. Those qualities that made her stand out are still very much intact as is evident on her Peak Records' debut set Love The Woman.

She effortlessly tackles stylist Nancy Wilson's classic "Guess Who I Saw Today," a time-worn story of infidelity, approached lyrically with sophistication but painful nonetheless. She also adds a new dimension of meaning to a version of Minnie Riperton's "Give Me Time," the song played at her wedding to singer Kenny Lattimore six years ago. It doesn't hurt that the album includes masterful production from the likes of George Duke, who worked on her first album, hit-maker Raphael Saadiq and R&B/gospel producer Warryn Campbell.

Love is the theme on the album, but Moore doesn't skirt reality. Original tunes like "It Ain't Supposed To Be This Way," "Always Gonna Be Something" and her own "Love Action" are a testament to her own life experiences. She said, "It takes time to really show somebody what they really mean to you -- time and incidents and downfalls and hurt and pain and joy and no money and a lot of money."

Love The Woman not only marks a return to solo recording after two duet albums with hubby Kenny, but signals that real artistry stands the test of time. Check her out on tour through September.