It always feels great to discover something that has flown under the radar of the masses. In the midst of my search to find an album to review, I’ve unearthed a true gem. Underground queen Joi has released her much anticipated, “Tennessee Slim is the Bomb” with little fanfare, mainly because she is completely independent.
However, this funk odyssey is far too great for me not to write something about it. It is one of the most honest albums I’ve heard this year. Not since Marvin Gaye’s “Here, My Dear” have I heard an artist so openly discuss his failed marriage.
Her current single, “I’m So Famous,” produced by Raphael Saadiq (Kelis, John Legend) is a metaphor for music.
Boldly singing, “I can make a deaf man hear a symphony in his head,” the artist goes through a series of examples that demonstrate the power of music. The track itself is a blend of strings, wah-wah’ed guitars and thumping bass. Overall, this track is perfection. I couldn’t ask for anything better.
Another standout is “Co-Stars” featuring Heroine, a Labelle-esque grouping of Joi, Whild Peach and Keisha Jackson. If you’re familiar with Labelle, the funky trio that gave us the original Lady Marmalade, then you will absolutely love this track. The lyrics are introspective. The music is restrained yet funky, using only guitar, bass and organ with tambourines as percussion. Most of all, all three ladies sing with so much soul that it practically oozes out of the speakers. You can’t help feeling the sweet sadness in all of their vocals.
My favorite song on the album is “Dance With Yesterday,” which is basically the best Prince song not done by the man himself. At the same time, Joi makes it her own her approach to writing, which is definitely felt on the track. Lyrically, she’s airing out her marital problems with rapper, Big Gipp (GooDie MoB). I love how open she is with it, providing the perfect blend of vulnerability and strength.
Another favorite of mine, “Maybe,” which finds her examining the pros and cons of taking back the lover that scorned her. If you’ve ever had a long-term relationship end on bad terms, you will identify with her lyrics. The way she unashamedly lets her feelings pour onto the track is awesome. Combining that with a track that’s both playful and melancholy, the song is powerful.
Overall, this album is full of gems that could be only be delivered by an artist as bold as Joi. She openly shares her heartache and joy for our listening pleasure and the result is nothing short of great. My only issue with the album is the Uncle George interludes; they slightly mess with the flow of the album. However, the songs are so stellar that one can easily overlook them.
Joi does not have major distribution, so you will not find this at your local record store. However, I urge you to check online retailers, like CD Baby or iTunes, because it would be a tragedy not to support such a masterpiece.
