Alison Crockett - On Becoming A Woman (2004)

When you hear the name Alison Crockett, you immediately think of her seminal recordings with King Britt, Blue Six, and Us3. When you hear her velvety, sensual voice, you will immediately recognize that she has been influenced and taken her musical cues from such divas as Me'Shell NdegéOcello, Jill Scott, Janet Jackson, and the incomparable Alicia Keys. However, after listening to On Becoming a Woman, you'll know that it is a testament to Alison Crockett's true sensibilities as a genre-bending vocalist who plans to stick around with her own sound. Joined by such talented musicians as drummer Terreon Gully (who has played with Jason Moran and Christian McBride, among others) and bassist Carlos Henderson (who has held down the bass logic with Hiromi), Crockett covers plenty of ground on such hits as "When I Think of You," "I'mgonnacome," "You Know What Happens," "Like Rain," and "Alive." As a songwriter, Crockett shows great promise with her tight ideas, phrasings, and stylistic breakbeats that keep her musicians in the pocket. With a seductive vocal aura that encircles you in her web of soulful grooves and creative energy, Alison Crockett treats listeners to a fresh set of original songs that attest to her musical growth as an artist and songwriter.