Syleena Johnson 'Chapter 2: The Voice' album

Living in the age of bling-bling balladeers and so-called neo-soulsters, the bluesy alto of Syleena Johnson is as refreshing as a glass of grape kool-aid on a summer day. With the release of her sophomore project Chapter 2: The Voice, this commanding singer/songwriter seamlessly merges a black pop sensibility with her own brand of gutbucket rhythm & blues. "I come from one of those loud families," confesses the twenty-five year old Syleena. "If you want to hear a bunch of black women with strong, aggressive voices just come to one of my family reunions."

For those who don't have the time to sojourn five minutes outside of Chicago to Johnson's hometown of Harvey, Illinois, this disc is a testament to Syleena's talent. "On my debut disc (Chapter 1: Love, Pain & Forgiveness), I was in such a sad state that most of the material was very melancholy. With Chapter 2: The Voice, I was coming from a more life affirming and spiritual space. Truthfully, I think this is some of my best work yet."

While Johnson is used to wrenching lyrics from her own psyche, her collaborations with the soulful dream-team of Carvin Haggins and Ivan has birthed a few beautiful rhythmic babies. The perfect purity of the steamy "No Words" is a prime example of the trio's kinetic energy in the studio. "This song began with me joking around with Carvin, saying, ?Suppose we wrote a song with no words.' Next thing you know, we're working on the idea. Invoking more "turn off the lights" sexual energy than a roomful of lap-dances, Syleena recorded the sultry song in one take. "I guess you could say, I was really feeling it," she laughs.

Best known for their work with Jill Scott and Musiq, the Philly boys Carvin and Ivan clicked musically with Syleena. Indeed, the prove is in the soulful pudding of "I'm Gonna Cry" and "So Willingly." Although both tracks come from different spheres of her personal high-wire, from the lies of a cheating man to the loving caress of a gentle dude, Johnson has no problems being honest. "I'm one of those people who is constantly scribbling in my diaries," says Syleena. "When its time to write songs, I flip through those journals for ideas. I guess that's why when I write songs in a kind of conversational tone."

Ever since she was a young girl, Syleena Johnson has felt the power of song in her blood. From her blues singing daddy Syl to singing-along to Teena Marie and Chaka Khan grooves to praising the Lord in her high school gospel choir, she confesses, "I've always been in-tuned to everything musical." Still, it's a grand leap from merely liking music to being able to convey soulful emotions in a passionate way.

Produced by new jack funk-master Hi-Tek (Mos Def, Talib Kweli), whose earholes are definitely linked to the Midwestern soundscapes of Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye, "The Voice" takes the listener on a groovealistic journey as Syleena reveals finding strength in her instrument."...it told me cry out if you want to heard," she wails mightily.

As Syleena soars to arousing celestial heights, Hi-Teck keeps the music grounded in black power percussion and gritty instrumentation. "I always listen to the voice in my head," says Johnson. "I listen when I need guidance through songs and I hear it when it tells me to work harder. The voice inside of me has taught me to be a fighter."

Yet, while Syleena can come across sweet as melted chocolate bon-bons, mostly noticeably the tender "Guitars of the Heart," has no problem revealing her wild chile style. Working with windy-city producer Mike Dunn, the wall-shaking/back breaking first single "Tonight I'm Gonna Let Go" is a sweaty anthem of pure sexuality. Says the recently divorced Syleena, "The whole dating game is such a rat race. Now that I'm single, I have many different guys approaching me. But when you find that right person...watch out. After being caged-up for so long, I just wanted to be rowdy." Co-written with R.Kelly, the track's club remix features verbal flame flippers Busta Rhymes, Rampage and Baby Sham.

With the release of Chapter 2: The Voice, the enchanting Syleena Johnson is still discovering the joys of life and music. "This record is saturated with love," she says. "A love of myself, of my life, of my art and of God." Indeed, urban soul gets no better than this.

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Syleena Johnson - Chapter 2: The Voice