Published on Oct 12, 2000
This album takes off running with the first six cuts and never
missteps during the entire 13 tracks. That’s an amazing feat for
any established artist, let alone a for a debut project by a
virtual unknown.
Still,
Damita, the album, pulls out all the stops nicely mixing
up-tempo R&B stylings with ballads that must make CeCe Winans
jealous. Damita, the artist, is an incredible new talent to be
reckoned with – and enjoyed.
What’s the sound? Hard to say, but
Damita is no copycat album, while at the same time her
singing is reminiscent of all the best. Damita and crew cook up a
strong burgoo of styles, mixing them all together until what comes
out has hints of everything, but a taste all its own.
The recipe has strong suggestions of Tina Turner and Patti
LaBelle, along with a healthy helping of Janet Jackson. Throw in
more than a little Deniece Williams, some Aretha Franklin, a fair
portion of the good parts of Celine Dion, and just a smidge of
Mariah Carey. Then just turn up the heat and let it boil, baby.
Taste good? You better believe it.
Where did this talent come from? Detroit, specifically. Coached
by gospel music’s legendary Mattie Moss Clark, Damita found herself
singing backup vocals for Franklin, the Queen of Soul Her Own
Self.
While singing with Deitrick Haddon and the Voices of Unity,
Damita was “discovered” – and Haddon, now also on board as her
husband, helps out further with outstanding production on at least
eight of the disc’s 13 tracks.
It is rare that such a cohesive album is created on a first
attempt. Damita and Haddon co-wrote most of the songs and they
display her far ranging talents in the best of possible
situations.
There is the “Black Cat”-era Janet Jackson-esque rocker “Truth,”
which features dcTalker Toby McKeehan, in a rare return to rap,
proclaiming that “T-Mack is back and I’m free at last.” (dcTalk
watchers feel free to speculate on that line all you like, but the
group is releasing a greatest hits compilation in November which,
according to reports, will be paired, in a limited edition, with
another disc featuring three cuts from each member’s upcoming solo
projects. Hmm.)
The sentiment expressed in the song’s chorus is a bit old and
hackneyed, but the musical freshness makes up for it:
Truth gonna set you free If you don’t stand for something you’ll
fall for anything Truth gonna set you free It’ll set you free if
you just believe
Damita has an affinity for the mid-tempo workouts, the best of
which is “Spirit Inside.” On this song she brings a couple notes up
from what has to be the soles of her feet and then draws those
babies out in her best Aretha impression.
The song deals with “it’s not about what I say, but what I do”
and how the Spirit, living within the believer, can make you “walk
right, talk right, take your darkest days and turn them into
light.”
One minor disappointment with this disc is a rare one – many of
the songs are just too dang short. Especially during the up tempo
tracks. Just as it seems Damita is smacking on the groove, the song
starts to fade. This is especially true on the disc openers “Why,”
“Truth,” and “Spirit Inside.”
But nowhere is it more apparent than on “Hold On To Your Faith,”
the discs’ musical and actual centerpiece. Following the
beautifully restrained “Calvary,” which also ends about a verse to
soon, “Hold On…” is a great workout. Full of syncopated beats and
a gospel choir backup, Damita growls through this tune with
conviction – and leaves you wanting more.
That’s one of the keys to this release. Undisguised, raw, out
there in your face, emotion and passion. Damita is not afraid to
put it on the line. She’s like Marion Jones, Olympic gold medal
runner, in that respect. When she’s run her race she has left it
all on the track. There is no holding back. She is right there all
the time giving all she has — and it shows.
Another highlight is the duet “The Wedding Song,” which Damita
and Haddon co-wrote – and performed – for their own wedding. The
song is a great testimony to the sacredness of marriage and the
depth of love couples feel on their wedding day:
They said that we couldn’t make it together, oh no They said
that we couldn’t stand stormy weather, oh yeah But I know, that you
are my angel from up above I don’t care what people say and I don’t
care what they do I’m going to always be with you Because what God
has joined together Let no man tear it apart I’m in love with
you.
After a powerful workout through the first two-thirds of the
album, Damita slows it down for the last three songs, sequencing
three ballads in a row, starting with “The Wedding Song.”
Then follows “Day Go By,” which tells people to “never let a day
go by, without saying ‘I love you’. Never let a night go by,
without showing you care.” The beauty of the song is that it works
equally well as a secular or Christian song – and that fits right
in with Damita’s heart for her work. The unifying theme of this
disc is love, both human and divine – because in Damita’s world it
seems they are so caught up in each other.
Closing out the project is “Holdin’ On” — an encouragement to
those struggling with life and hard times that “there is Someone
who loves you, that you should know.” This is the message the disc
makes over and over again — and it is fitting to close out on
it.