Ex-
Floetry poet Natalie Stewart's first solo album, released after her creative partnership with
Marsha Ambrosius sailed away on a floe, carries on in the tradition of her past work. For
Floetry fans who wanted Stewart,
the Floacist, to be given more time in the spotlight, Floetic Soul should be worth the wait. Stewart’s breathy, labyrinthine spoken word verses here -- heavy on romantic matters while allowing plenty of time for introspection and casually uplifting material -- stretch out in a low-key but stimulating way. The woman can hold her own. That said, the three cuts featuring guest vocalists -- “Keep It Going” (
Raheem DeVaughn), “Forever” (
Musiq Soulchild), and the particularly excellent silken quiet storm of “Come Over” (
Lalah Hathaway) -- just happen to be the brightest spots. ~ Andy Kellman