After a prosperous decade with Verve certified by five Top Ten R&B/hip-hop chart placements and a dozen Grammy nominations, Ledisi reclaims independent status with The Wild Card. This is the first album released on her Listen Back Entertainment label, but it's no matter to the average listener since there isn't a major deviation from the path Ledisi has been traveling since her self-issued debut. Although she spoke of being more directly involved with the production, Ledisi carries on with Rex Rideout and to a lesser extent with Ivan Barias, two of her longtime studio partners. She and her supporting musicians still incorporate shades of bygone eras with natural grace. Even the overtly retro moments retain a freshness, and whenever a song bears some obvious likeness, Ledisi's entrancing and singular voice -- bolstered by some subtly dazzling harmonies and arrangements -- is at the fore to distinguish it. A spirit of unrestrained individualism powers some of the best material. "In It to Win," the lyrics of which echo the album title, is one of a couple songs with a groove that twists and turns like something off D'Angelo's Voodoo, if made for cruising in summertime daylight instead of slow-bumping in an unventilated after hours. "Wake Up" extends Ledisi's affiliation with pianist Robert Glasper, and with its invigorated bounce would be at home on either Black Radio volume. The track also features a guest rap verse, the set's sharpest curve, though it's a compatible one from Sa-Roc that strengthens the top-billed vocalist's message. The cut with the most deliberate throwback quality is "WKND," evoking a faithful cover of a lost sophisticated funk jam from Cheryl Lynn's Luther Vandross-produced Instant Love. Most of the other songs illustrate disparate relationship scenes. The first four flow easily from smooth soul-blues to vintage neo-soul, yet they state unequivocal devotion, accost a lying lover, relish a post-split hook-up, and declare a marriage dead -- a lot to process in 20 minutes. Later on, there's a grittier send-off for a noncommittal two-timer, and a ballad of lonesome heartache. Ledisi and company somehow ensure that the ups and downs are easy to navigate.
© Andy Kellman /TiVo