Macy Gray's On How Life Is, an album that flows with horns, real percussion, and enough flavor to gag the most discerning critics, marks the evolution of the "neo soul" movement to the next level. This sista doesn't just sing, she sangs with the kind of funky self-possession that hasn't been heard since Tina Turner was first bringing down houses with "Proud Mary."
Yes, Gray's raspy, sinewy voice does recall Tina--and, at times, Billie--but this young L.A. native has her own style, and it cuts through the entire album. From the opening track, "Why Didn't You Call Me," it's evident that there's a revolution going on, and Macy Gray is at the center of it. The tune bursts with old-school funk and soul, and Ms. Gray leads the way with all the flash and style of a latter day Sly Stone. "Do Something" offers a fresh take on OutKast's '94 hit, "Git Up, Git Out," slathered with a dose of new-school soul.
But itÕs the show-stopping "I've Committed Murder" that manages to really shine among nine practically flawless cuts, with a tale of death and intrigue set to sounds so bumpin', you don't mind the cold, Robin Hood, kill/steal-from-the-rich moral. It shows that in addition to her vocal skills, Gray's a great storyteller and a talent worth watching.
