The Beat Surrender

Known to most as the backing vocalist to an endless list of artists I am pleased to see Shena take the natural music course, step into the lime light and release her own solo material. Her new album One Man Woman is a great example of Shena’s versatile talent and old school soul voice.

With influences such as Whitney Houston & Lauryn Hill you can imagine this album is very independent head strong woman material. Though saying this, what surprised me about it is the soft tone Shena also brings to this remarkably powerful album. Though powerful it is also subtle and in parts very easy listening?!

Previously shadowed in the lime light of artists such as Luther Vandross, James Brown, Mariah Carey, Chaka Kahn... Only to name a few! Shena was truly noticed at 21 when she aroused curiosity singing “Don’t Cry For Me” in tribute to murdered teenager Stephen Laurence.

Listening to this album makes me wonder why we haven’t heard previous albums… Imagine what we’ve missed! With its mixture of soft easy listening and more upbeat funked up tracks this is a very well rounded, carefully selected album. Shena sings about life, heartache, pain, happiness and for me the making of a true artist is to believe the words there singing… Relate to it! Well there’s no problem with that here… Relate and soulful seem to come naturally to this one man woman!! Love it.