Comments for Evans, Adriana, Adriana Evans

A stunning debut from one of the most promising and exciting new pop/soul artists of the decade. Adriana blends 70`s soul sounds with funky, edgy rhythms and jazzy instrumentation (flutes, vibes, muted trumpets, etc.) to create an impressive sound all her own. "Love is All Around," the opening cut, starts things off to a seductive 70`s-flavored start and show off Adriana`s Minnie-Riperton-influenced vocals to a state of perfection. "Seein is Believing," "Love Me," and "Reality" are all nearly funky to a fault, and the ballads "Trippin" and "I`ll Be There" prove that Adriana is no ordinary vocalist. And check out "Looking for Your Love" and you`ll get the impression that some of the greatest soul songwriters from the 60`s have been reincarnated inside this talented young lady! Of course, some of the uptempo cuts need a couple of listens before you can quickly distinguish the intros; if this album has the slightest fault, it`s in the lack of variance of tempos and beats. Then there`s the CD booklet, which shows from its variety of photos (Adriana as hip, pigtailed, neo-70`s kid, Adriana as slick soul diva in sweater and leggings, Adriana as chanteuse in white mock turtle with her hair up, etc.) that the label wasn`t quite sure how to market her. My guess is that the real Adriana is on the cover: simple but elegant black outfit, hair pulled pack from her face, staring at you with piercingly intense eyes. Thankfully, though, there`s no wondering who Adriana is an artist: simply, she`s an innovative and exciting one...with a most promising future. Here`s to hoping "Adriana Evans" gets all the fame and acclaim that the less-deserving Erykah Badu is getting.