Laurnea

After stints as vocalist with Arrested Development, Loose Ends and Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra, multi-talented soul singer/songwriter Laurnea' brings her magical mix of soul, jazz, hip-hop, electronica and singer-songwriter r & b to the fore on "The Collection", a "best-of" set drawn from her four solo albums.Her solo career began in 1997 when her Epic/Yab Yum solo debut was part of a wave of new soul artists such as Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Adriana Evans. Singles from that album, "Can't Let Go" and "Infatuation" got major video and radio play but she just missed a major breakthrough. Subsequently, her next three albums were available mainly on Japanese and European labels. "The Collection" showcases the full range of Laurnea's talent. Besides containing the hits from her first album, "The Collection" mixes breathy ballads, mid-tempo funksters and jazzy grooves. Unlike so many albums today, this set doesn't sound like everybody else. Laurnea' has the ability to sing soft and intimate one minute and edgy and full-throated the next, reminiscent of Deniece Williams and Minnie Ripperton, but ultimately herself. As a result many of her biggest fans are fellow artists! India.Arie says "Laurnea' has the heart and voice of an angel!" Rachelle Ferrell says "Laurnea's voice is a mirror image of her soul--sweet, pure and real!" In the end, "The Collection" delivers real soul music without resorting to cliches.