Kaissa: Looking There

KAISSA Looking There Makai

From a plain, rather uninspired piece of cover art comes a startlingly catchy and energetic album. Kaissa is an artist previously unknown to me, although it soon becomes evident that her voice has been heard across a range of great African recordings as backing singer. Cameroonian in origin, now living in New York via a stint in Paris, Kaissa owns a voice of substance and strength. Looking There is composed largely of her own writings, and as such incorporates several of the styles contemporary with a young African musician living in New York City.

There are many highlights on this record. "Essimo" is particularly raw due to its percussion-only instrumentation. Perhaps because of this, however, our first encounter with Kaissa's voice is all the more unhindered. She performs this track in a straightforward, open and unadorned manner, thus laying bare the extent of her ability and the essence of her style. On the reggae track "O Si Keka," she retains a raw quality, but at times brings a softness, a velvety richness to parts. "Joy" further develops this more gentle approach, both in terms of composition and delivery. Stevie Wonder's "Big Brother" is a weak link in the chain, somehow lacking in drive and direction "Sangwam" is a personal favorite. Introspective in theme, majestic in performance, this track more than any other indicates where Kaissa's strengths lie and where her future compositions might best be focused.

Controversial as it may sound, there are a lot of mediocre artists of every conceivable origin making music and getting away with it. Kaissa represents the antithesis. She is obviously a young musician who has served her time under some of the greats and has, in turn, taken her own time in putting her debut together. She has a considerable future ahead of her. Hats off.

COPYRIGHT 2006 Sing Out Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2005 Gale Group