DIVINE BROWN The Love Chronicles (Warner) Rating: NNNN
If Amy Winehouse were remixed by the B-52's, they might concoct something like Bebe, but it dances into your head courtesy of Scarborough wunderkind Slakah the Beatchild. A rich assortment of brass instrumentalists and crisp percussion players keep the subtle 60s references in place, while Brown sews up the spaces in between with her silky-smooth expressions.
But when Colin Munroe's fantastically frail I Need Your Love is unveiled, musical divinity is achieved. Approximating Jully Black's earthy power, Mariah Carey's Olympic range and a sonic texture similar to Alicia Keys, Divine Brown may not be a consistent force in pop, but she should be, as she's an almost flawless vocalist and song sculptor. Brown is so sophisticated and classy, you kinda wish for a burst of Mary J. Bligey drama or Kelis craziness to change the pitch up. Then again, any singer who counts Elton John as a fan is probably doing something right.