Dominique Howard - Chapters (2009)

Reviewed by Alastair McCollum

This premiere release from Louisiana-born, Germany-based vocalist and writer is exceptional. It is a jazzy R&B, gospel-filled, soulful, mellow and powerful nine song collection that contains a depth that only a minority of vocalists achieve. 'Chapters' is garnering interest and airtime in the States where Howard's accomplished style is being touted as the "next big thing" in Christian MOBO (Music of Black Origin) circles. Dominique's confessional, testimony-filled lyrics are striking in their celebration of all that God has done for her - and the feeling of freedom and gratitude oozes out of each note. Having served in the US military and had some hard times and struggles there is a sense of release and celebration to the lyrical content that sometimes belies the chillout vibe of the album. The style overall is laid back, keyboard-based and soulful with a strong yet gentle rhythm and bass line forward in the mix and Howard's clear, wide ranging and powerful voice showing her skill in conversational rap, soulful balladry and a vocal armoury that takes in husky whispers, guttural growls and head-to-the-sky emoting. Some of the vocal arrangements are stunning, particularly at the end of the opening track "Keep On Keeping On" as layer on layer of vocals from Dominque and husband Laurence mix together and fade in and out. Other highlights are the jazzy double bass and keyboards groove of "Burdens Down" and the closing track "A Feeling In My Soul" which is the nearest this album gets to musical exuberance. A great album from a "radical praise and worshipper".

Tracklist:
1-1 Dominique Howard - Keep on Keeping On [4:12]
1-2 Dominique Howard - Burdens Down [4:31]
1-3 Dominique Howard - Riding on a Cloud [4:28]
1-4 Dominique Howard - Main Line [4:34]
1-5 Dominique Howard - Yeah, Yeah, Yeah [5:23]
1-6 Dominique Howard - Searching [3:32]
1-7 Dominique Howard - I Never Knew [4:24]
1-8 Dominique Howard - Yes [4:55]
1-9 Dominique Howard - Feeling in my Soul [3:46]