Sharissa' s Every Beat of My Heart

When R&B songstress Sharissa Dawes debuted in 2002 with her album, No Half' Steppin', she was quickly written off as a ghettofied caricature of Mary J. Blige. From her platinum blond locks down to her street-phrased lyricism and numerous "man done wrong" songs, Sharissa only perpetuated the image of herself as nothing more than a cheap imitation of the Queen. But 4 years, 1 label change, and a new stylist later and Sharissa finally understands the essence of Hip-Hop Soul's formula and makes a strong and determined bid to be the next heiress to the throne with Every Beat of My Heart.

With one cursory listen, it's apparent that Sharissa's worked out all the kinks. Her voice was always strong and defined but on this album, she digs deeper and taps into more emotion and soul, making her material stick that much harder. And the material overall has improved by leaps and bounds. While her debut was a strong assortment of B-list R&B tunes concocted by B and C-list producers, Heart boasts an all-star line-up, with production assists from R. Kelly, Mario Winans, The Underdogs, Wyclef Jean and cameos from Kellz, Clef, Tank, Game, and soul legend Millie Jackson. And the end result proves to be the most entertaining and near-flawless R&B album the mainstream has had access to in this still-fresh year.

Which is what makes Heart so impressive; the fact that it's consistent and cohesive. Each song seamlessly flows into the next and uncovers itself as a smooth meld of Hip-Hop and Soul; like deep, rich chocolate edged in gold. Even the Kellz-produced, once-atrocious lead single, In Love With A Thug, sounds entertaining within the context of the album.

Album opener, I Got Love, takes the Mayfield classic, "Makings of You", and weaves it into a gorgeously lush ode to the love of Sharissa's life. The prerequisite club banger, I'm Heat, boasts some of the most soulfully crisp dance music you'll hear, along with a tolerable cameo from Game. Somethin' takes it hypnotic rhythm and hushed vocal turn and transforms Sharissa into a charming sexpot that makes a quickie sound like the classiest liaison one could have. U'll Never Find puts a little bass in the system, knock in the speaker, and pep in Sharissa's step as she douses her self-loved lyrics with the perfect amount of conviction and attitude. Take Me As I Am is a rehash from Clef's Preacher's Son LP buts adds some nice island soul to the album.

The title track is a smooth throwback to early 90s Hip-Hop Soul, with Sharissa's somewhat everyday lyricism being made more enjoyable by the nostalgic production and soothing vocals. I'm Through is the amazing duet between Sharissa and Millie that works on every level it shouldn't. Though most of Millie's vocal time is spent inculcating wisdom to Sharissa at the beginning, the song plays out with Sharissa emulating the legend to the best of her ability and proving her worth as one of, if not the most, underrated female R&B singer currently in the game.

And quickly after, the album climaxes with Sharissa's stunning, show-stopping duet with Tank on her smartly chosen second single, You Can Do Better. From the heartbroken and desolate production, with hollow guitars and aching strings, to Sharissa's plaintive yet committed vocal plea and Tank's worrisome yet contemplative assist, the duo set the subject matter's emotion ablaze and fuels it until it smolders no more. The stuff R&B Duo Performance Grammys are made of.

And the album ends just as smoothly as it began; with a sweet and sincere serenade of love to Sharissa's future beau on That's Enough and a sensual invitation to mingle with her body and soul on Come Around My Way.

Why this near-masterpiece never saw the light of an American release date is beyond me. She may not be near-naked in a bathing suit, slathered in baby oil, and writhing around on stage to a Lil' Jon beat but Sharissa easily recorded one of the best contemporary R&B albums of the year. Her material is catchy but has an understated amount of passion, depth and emotion to it that distinguishes it from its competition. Her voice is as strong and soulful as ever and she more than proved her worth as another worthy successor to the Queen's throne. She may not move the earth with her melisma each time she opens her mouth but Sharissa established beyond a shadow of a doubt that she's worthy of all the success and longevity she acquires for herself. And that she's inching closer and closer to Queendom with every beat of her heart.