Though she never really left, electronica chanteuse Esthero has come back with an EP as eclectic as her collaborators, but might be too radical for the Pop Music Nation.
In her 1998 release, Breath from Another, Esthero aimed to become the hip-hop generation's Sade, and she certainly has the instrument - her rich voice flows through your head like Willie Wonka's chocolaty-smooth river. She positioned herself as queen of this generation's smooth jazz, catching the trip-hop wave just as it was cresting. But then trip-hop tripped, became dated, and Esthero the Band faded out. Esthero the Collaborator never left, working on some of pop's most interesting projects, like Nelly Furtado's debut and the best Black Eyed Peas single ever, "Weekends."
After years on the fringe, Esthero the Artist has decided she could not save pop music from behind the curtain and boldly steps to the forefront with her new EP.
In the opening title track, the Toronto-born singer immediately calls out the formulaic hip-hop that has dominated radio waves, name-checking Ashanti in a way that won't get a "holla back." Unfortunately that is about as radical as it gets, as the song's breaks and blips hearken back to 1998 - a weak year in music - instead of looking to the future.
Luckily the rest of the EP is completely different.
Sean Lennon contributes on "Everyday Is A Holiday," and "This Lull-a-bye," pulling the CD away from dated electronic garbage with smooth jazz horns that make Sade comparisons impossible to ignore. Ironically, this retro-feel with real live instruments sound more revolutionary than any of the garbled electronica that Esthero uses to proclaim her "ReVoLuTIoN!"
On an EP where every track (except the kickoff single) is a highlight, the collaboration with Cee-lo Green on "Gone" might be the best. Esthero's eclectic sensibilities mesh well and temper Cee-lo's eccentricities, leading to what might be Cee-lo's breeziest rap ever.
The EP is a precursor to Esthero's yet-to-be-scheduled released album "Wikked Lil' Girls." While she might not enact radio-wide change, Esthero brings a fresh, laid-back sound that will revolutionize the indie set.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
