Chrisette Michelle: Sometimes taking a supporting role on a marque project is all that’s needed to show that they were already polished and perched for prime time. It happens in the movies all the time. And Chrisette exemplifies this point precisely when she bequeathed her feathery vocals on Rick Ross’ “Aston Martin Music.” That was simply sick how she swirled her vocals around like a hoola hoop to give Ross’ hard-edged rap joint a nice glow to it. Now folks can backtrack and recognize her individual wonders like I Am and the Grammy-winning song “Be OK.” The Ne-Yo-composed joint, “I’m a Star,” makes you want to stand at attention and fire up a salute to her underappreciated reservoir of skills. But her fans already know what time it is.
Those of you who are weary and wary of music devoid of any nutrients can now imbibe on Chrisette’s fulfilling but not fattening Let Freedom Reign where Chrisette’s voice is able to soar and stretch like a piece of taffy, particularly on the roof-rattling “Goodbye Game” and “I Know Nothing,” Yet Chrisette still has enough in the reserves to offer up the innovative “I’m Your Life.” You can’t say I didn’t try to hip you to this masterful melodist. When you absorb Chrisette’s energy, that leaps off her CD, for the first time, you will also get an Epiphany, a nicer way of saying “get a clue.”
