| K-Reen | ||
| Artist Index |
K-Reen |
In the second half of the 1990s, French soul music has exploded with new talent. From Native to Sinclair to Les Nubians (who have sold a staggering 250,000 records in the US), some pretty incredible music is being made in France now. K-Reen has been involved in music for many years, first as a singer/ rapper with Negmarrons, then as a sought-after session vocalist, backing artists like Princess Erika, MC Solaar and Tonton David. Her career as a solo artist began when she met Cutee B, best known for his remixes for Boys II Men and Zhané. This debut album is a collection of 17 tracks written with Cutee B. Fusing R & B with hip-hop (there are cameos by rappers such as Oxmo Puccino and members of La Fonky Family), K-Reen expands on the sophisticated urban sound that Mary J. Blige and Faith Evans invented. The track "Mon Djal" is a good example of the solid melodies and layered harmonies that make this album stand out. ("Gars je t'ai dans le sang / Mon coeur s'emballe / Je promets, je te donnerai tout ce que tu veux / Si tu veux être mon djal"). |
The jazzy "Je T'Aime Comme Tu Es" finds K-Reen scatting like a jazz diva, which suits her well. "Pardonne-Moi", "Fini" and "Ailleurs", the closing track, are great R & B songs that allow her to weave her magic. Obviously she can sing. But when she lets herself go on "Pardonne-Moi" it is something to hear. K-Reen is a major talent, and although this album does not fully explore her range, this is still a satisfying collection that will appeal to fans of soul, R & B and hip-hop alike. |
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