Wendisue

A self-produced five-song disc from this artist has a heady mix of soul, funk, jazz and very good singing that (on "Suffer the Loss" a honey sweet love song) makes us think of India Arie and Jill Scott. Meanwhile, "Funky Road" evokes comparisons to Lauryn Hill. "The LaLa Song" is a soothing, laid-back, seductive track that convinces us that this artist's skills as a vocalist, songwriter and producer are for real. Music Supervisors might like her ready-to-go product. - Music Connection Vol. XXVIII

Wendisue is the daughter of former Tower Of Power vocalist Ellis Hall, and an LA-based singer, writer and producer who has obviously inherited a large chunk of dad’s talent for making soul music, if her debut five-track CD EP is any guide. Her site www.wendisue.com checks some familiar and welcome names amongst her influences; Erykah, Jill, Donny, Chaka, Ella, and D’angelo. So you won’t be surprised to find that her direction is healthily heading towards live played, raw, funky, inteligent neo-soul of the kind we tend to favour round these parts. Her voice sounds just as composed on the up and down beat tracks, although the latter dominate the handful of tracks on show. The vaguely Timbaland-ish ‘The Sickness’ and the seventies style funky roll of both ‘Funky Road’ and ‘Maybe’ stand out for me. Sounds like she’d be a very good experience live too. More please.

Chris Wells
Soul Sides
Echoes
- Echoes Magazine

Wendisue is a HomeGrown star. In a world of stench and samples, this producer, songwriter, artist has quenched the worlds thirst for real music. Joining a class of artists such as Musiq, Jill Scott, India Arie and others of like caliber. This is a must have CD for music enthusiasts. You will not skip a track.
- Husbandman Lemuel

The state of commericial radio has music purists clamoring to find sounds that touch the soul. As the current formulaic production of our RnB flatlines, there are still a few artistic gems which present with an unheralded appeal. By virtue of my occupation I have been fortunate enough to "discover" a diva to be. WendiSue's stellar debut titled "Homegrown" is the aural equivalent of an appetizer that fills and satisfies. Replete with excellent melody, funky beats and rhythm that flows, it is a crisp cornucopia of melody we can all appreciate. Those who know my tastes will accept my testimony that "Suffer the Loss" and "The Sickness" are two tracks which merit heavy rotation. We hope that this is only the beginning, an independent release reinforcing the Nu, the Neo, the Soul Movement. Label it what you wish but if your commercial RnB falls short, you owe it to yourself to add some zest to your collection. "Homegrown" will do more than whet the appetite, it will fulfill. DJ Come of Age November 2004 - DJ Come of Age