Testimony, Vol. 1: Life & Relationship by India.Arie (CD, Jan-2006, Motown)

Another beautiful cd from India- very personal, but varies subject matter into social consciousness with songs like "india's song" where she talks about slavery. she addresses politics a little in some songs also. Absolutely beautiful remake of Don Henley's "heart of the matter;" though I've heard this song a million times I'd never heard the words clearly and kinda dismissed it because it was kinda of a soft rock song but I teared up the first time I heard it and I'm a dude who ain't afraid to admit it- that's how beautiful it was. I hope she releases this to radio and gets a crossover hit out of it- I think it'd go number 1 on the charts black people don't normally chart on. And in a perfect world, black radio would play it too... Other faves include "good mourning," "private party," "these eyes" (opening banger- another radio hit in the making, wonderful lyrics, as on all the songs), "summer" feat. rascal flatts (yes, india's got clout now, so she can really do pretty much what she wants to artisically, it's a blessing... this song makes you want to find out about rascal flatts) "I am not my hair" (remix version w/ Akon) and the terrific "better people." not something you can "bump in the ride," for the most part, which isn't easy to do in "neo-soul" because the aim is to say something, not be "bumped in the ride," but I wish a little knock had been added to some of the more piano/acoustic only type songs, and you can see the record company knew it, making sure beautiful lyrical songs like "better people," "...hair," & "these eyes" had a little beat in them...a la bilal or eric roberson songs... i like her other 2 albums slightly more but still in all a very good album.

I bought this CD sight unseen as soon as it was released because I am such a big fan. With this release that details the painful aftermath of a deep love affair, India manages to communicate her experience without self-pity, anger or bitterness (how many people do you know like that???). India's voice is in excellent form, and she smoothly glides through palpable heartache in "These Eyes" and transcends it through "There's Hope", a kind of pull-yourself-up-by-your-boots​traps anthem for life. Counting "The Heart of the Matter" as one of my favorite songs, I was happy with her rendition of Don Henley's tune. "Good Mourning" tells of the journey from breakup to wake up and "Better People" should be required listening for both the nursery school and the nursing home.

My only disappoinment with this release is the lack of lyrics in the liner notes. I know more and more artists are going this way, but I hate it. I want them right there in my hands when I pop the disc into the player for the first time.

It's too easy to say this disc is about love because it's so much more than that; it's about giving, learning, courage, honesty, healing, faith and forgiveness. I think India says it best: she says her first two albums "were spoken in the female voice; this is the voice of a woman". Amen.

For my money, no one is better than India at reminding us to honor where we've come from, enjoy the moment that we're in, and let go of it once its gone.

I bought this album on a whim as i hadn't heard much about it before it's release. It took a while for me to even hear the popular single "I Am Not My Hair ft. Akon" on the radio waves. However, after listening to it 8 days in a row non-stop i can gladly say that ths album is one of my proud buys in music. My favorite tracks are:

These Eyes
Heart Of The Matter (In as much as i love Don Henley and didn't think anyone could have sang the song better, she surprised me with her rendition giving it a soul feel..very nice.)
There's Hope
Wings Of Forgiveness
I'm Not My Hair ft. Akon
Better People
Hidden Track:This Too Shall Pass (My very best. The song speaks to my heart and should speak to the heart of any one who is going through any kind of struggle.)
I'm not one bit disappointed with this album, one of my best buys of recent.

I love this CD. The day I got it I played it and it is the only thing playing in my stereo right now. There is nothing to dislike about this CD. It is awesome. The beats are great, the sound is clear, and the lyrics are the truth. They touch your soul to the core. This CD is great for Huge Neo-Soul fans (like myself), R&B lovers, moms, dads, children, just about anyone. I have made luv for Miss. Arie. I can't wait for Vol 2.

INDIA SHOWS WHY SHE HAS NO PEERS AMONG OTHER NEO-SOUL FEMALES. SHE IS A UNBELIEVABLE SONGWRITER WITH STRONG CONVICTION. I AM STARTING TO BELIEVE SHE IS THE FEMALE STEVIE WONDER. ANGIE STONE, JILL SCOTT AND ALL THE OTHER BETTER PICKUP THERE GAME OR THEY WILL BECOME AN AFTERTHOUGHT. IT WAS HARD TO PICK A FAVORITE BUT I WOULD HAVE TO SAY MINE ARE :THESE EYES, THERE HOPE, AND INDIA'S SONG.SHE HAS SUCH A SPIRITUAL VIBE. YOU WANT THIS CD!!!!!!!!!!