India.Arie – Testimony: Volume 2, Love & Politics

by Bambi Weavil

India.Arie

Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics

Official Site:  http://www.indiaarie.com/
Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/indiaarie

(“Therapy” on Good Morning America)

The love expressed on this album, Testimony: Vol. 2, Love & Politics and by India.Arie is not limited to romance, it’s love on all levels:  romantic, interpersonal and humanitarian.  “Therapy” featuring Jamaican roots artist Gramps Morgan, was co-written and co-produced by emerging artist Novel, who previously collaborated with India on “Purify Me” has a optimistic, motivating rich pop sound.  Simpson, India’s mother, stylist and all-around inspiration, wrote the sweeping, power pop song that sounds like a future American Idol pop ballad, “Long Goodbye.”  There’s no doubt that this song will end up being a cover song a few times over, and that is a testament to the power of a strong song.

“Ghetto” is a modern day “In The Ghetto” type song about the state of the world, set to a Spanish overtone.  “Pearls” is the revival of Sade fan favorite with India.Arie’s empowering storytelling with her music, featuring the multi-talented Dobet Gnahore.

“Chocolate High” features longtime friend Musiq Soulchild, a jazz-flavored pop song about a love going good.  There is also a spiritual love element to this album, including the gentle and moving “He Heals Me” which is about acceptance and compassion within a relationship.  “The Cure” has a optimistic tone and message that India.Arie carries throughout this album, with the testimony that the answer to hate is love.

The one song I didn’t connect with was “Yellow” – it could have been cut because there are other songs that portray a similar message on this album and the constant mention of yellow distracting.  Acclaimed Jazz original Rachelle Ferrell co-wrote “Better Way”, and India.Arie gives great hope with a fun political outspoken lyrics coated in jazz/blues musical flavor.

India.Arie has stood often with her peers as an activist for global health and human dignity with organizations such as UNICEF, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa and more.  As a U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF, she traveled to Africa several times to address the AIDS crisis, and filmed the VH-1 documentary Tracking The Monster:  Ashley Judd & India.Arie Confronts AIDS in Africa.

The album closes with the ever-optimistic testimony, “A Beautiful Day,” that sums up the undeniable spirit, passion, hope and love that India.Arie gives us with Testimony:  Volume 2, Love & Politics.

If you liked this article and what we do at Out Impact, and would like to donate, please do so by clicking the coffee cup, thank you!

Related posts:

1. Kerli – Love Is Dead
2. Eliza Gilkyson – Beautiful World
3. Sex and the City Volume 2
4. Angie Stone – The Art of Love & War
5. Sacha Sacket and the LadyKillers – Live at the Zone