If you gaze into the shadows between
Erykah Badu,
Anita Baker, and
Cassandra Wilson, you'll find
Kathleen Bertrand and her warm honey voice. She could easily strut her stuff on
No Regrets, but she chooses to sashay instead. It's more classy that way, a motif that suits her well. Aside from being a way smooth vocalist who has her own way of turning a phrase,
Bertrand also co-wrote most of the songs, which, admittedly, weigh heaviest in the mid-tempo power ballad class. They aren't the most amazing compositions you'll ever wrap your ears around, but they've got a little more bite than most contemporary R&B tunes. The surrounding production is made up largely of keyboards and drum programming, with acoustic piano, sax, and trumpet flourishes adding an extra jazzy vibe when needed. Regretfully so,
No Regrets was released by Gold Circle Records just before the label went belly up.