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 Review
By Jenny Newby
After spending years as a session singer and collaborator with dance
acts such as JX and Alex Gaudino (you may remember ‘Watch Out’ which hit
the radio a few months back), versatile vocalist, Shena, finally steps
into the limelight for herself with debut album, ‘One Man Woman’.
Full of soul, both musically and metaphorically, Shena wraps her lyrics
around pop, funk and the odd smattering of dance in an album that is
good, but sadly not great.
After popping ‘One Man Woman’ into the LINC stereo, it’s quite
disappointing to find that, whilst vocally Shena herself is on fine
form, the music behind her powerful pipes sounds somewhat dated.
Why disappointing? Because Shena is a genuinely talented singer, a diva
in the best possible sense of the word who’s voice is at once both
powerful and delicate and altogether enticing but is let-down by some
sub-par backing tracks,
Songs such as ‘It’s a Mystery’ and the soulful ‘Everything You Need’
have a very late-1990s feel about them, and whilst that’s hardly
ancient, in this current, ever-changing pop climate, Shena may find
herself struggling to compete.
Yet if ‘One Man Woman’ works on any level, its when showcasing her
diverse vocal range; tackling quiet, melancholy ballads and smooth
dancefloor-fillers with the same ease and grace, and giving it her all
at all times.
You can’t help but wonder how much more Shena would be capable of given
a different musical backdrop in front of which to perform.
Indeed, you get the feeling that Shena would sound right at home working
with any number of songwriters currently churning out modern pop hits.
To listen to this album though, it’s like you’re hearing a very good
voice go very sadly to waste.
Shame, really.
In a nutshell: A somewhat dated, very soulful debut from a very
talented singer who deserves more.
You might like this if you enjoy: Mariah Carey, pop, soul and
dance music from the ‘90s.
Recommended links:
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www.shena.co.uk
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www.myspace.com/shenawinchester
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