Album Review: Portia Monique (Reel People Music)

If you are a fan of Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Incognito, Sade, The Brand New Heavies or Jamiroquai then this marvellous debut album from Portia Monique is one for you.

Produced by Reel People who themselves are artists in their own right and remixers who have remixed tracks by Incognito and Randy Crawford amongst others, the album is a blend of soulful music tinged with a jazz edge,

The album starts off with the beautiful Cloud 1X which sets the tone for the album: a melodic track that makes dreary November seem like sultry July. Things get even better with the sublime Ecstasy, a late night atmospheric track that would not sound out of place on an Erykah Badu album.

The track Smile takes its influence from the Mary Jane Girls track All Night Long before finding its feet. Repeated plays bring even more pleasure to the ears.

The last few tracks on the album have a more up-tempo feel especially Never Give You Up.

An undiscovered gem..........until now.

4 out of 5