A 9-year veteran of the indie R&B circuit, Amel Larrieux stretches her vocal wings on the stellar, yet painfully overlooked "Bravebird." Serving as her solo sophomore set, the New York-based singer/songwriter has crafted a disc that mixes midtempo melodies with beautiful and lush lyrics. Lead single "For Real," written by Larrieux and her husband Laru Larrieux, opens with a serene piano solo that is accented by the voice of a young baby cooing. If you lean more toward the mature side of the R&B spectrum, and/or appreciate such artists like Anita Baker, Sade and Goapele, then Amel Larrieux's 2nd solo album "Brave Bird" should appeal to you. This mid-tempo track defies categorization by combining soft R&B with organic jazz and genuine soulfulness. (less info)