Heather Headley has finally returned to bless the music world with another album

Trinidad-born actress, singer, and songwriter Heather Headley is certainly no newcomer to the world of entertainment. She has earned countless accolades from industry critics, a Grammy nomination, a Tony award, and has landed lead roles in some of Broadway’s most successful plays, such as Elton John’s Aida and Disney’s’ The Lion King. That being said, it should be understood that anything in which she plays a part would exhibit excellence and professionalism. Heather’s sophomore album, In My Mind, shows her commitment to both, in addition to her incredible songwriting and emotion-filled vocals. It's been nearly four years since we last heard from Heather Headley. After releasing her debut album This Is Who I Am in 2002, the songstress has finally returned to bless the music world with another album. For Headley, this is a true test to see if she was just lucky or if she has what it takes to make it in today's R&B market. In My Mind continues where her first album left off, giving us more of what we've been waiting for – real soul music. It promises to be a timeless collection of soul stirrers, as only one of R&B’s most amazing rising stars can deliver.

Musical production of some of the hottest names in the industry

In My Mind couples everyday situations and relatable lyrics with the musical production of some of the hottest names in the industry such as: Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Warren “Baby Dubb” Campbell, Shannon Sanders, Tony Kelly and Andrew Ramsey. With friends like these, one wonders if Heather Headley is shooting for another Grammy. Although this album is comprised mostly of ballads, there are several songs that personally stand out: the title track, In My Mind, Am I Worth It (produced by Warren Campbell), Losing You, The Letter and the up-tempo, Caribbean-influenced Rain, on which Heather gets help from Jamaican dance-hall icon, Shaggy. Rain has the potential to be a big hit in the clubs and Wait a Minute might become a women’s anthem and achieve a status similar to that of Deborah Cox’s Nobody’s Supposed To Be Here. The Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis production, What's Not Being Said, would easily fit alongside In My Mind on an adult contemporary format. And while you're programming that kind of radio show, you might as well include the doo-wop-styled Back When It Was a la En Vogue's Giving Him Something He Can Feel, a surprising (utterly un-crunk) production turn for rap's usually energetic King of Crunk, Lil Jon. Headley ends the disc on an absolute high with the gospel-tinged Change, a glorious tale of pressing on.

In My Mind is a superb mix of soul, dancehall, exquisite balladry and fire breathing gospel

In My Mind is definitely filled with emotion...something Heather Headley has mastered on Broadway and in music. Her second album clearly shows her growth as an artist and as a songwriter. The lyrics affirm that she is fully cognizant of who and where she is musically. She feels every note that she sings and her voice remains intense from start to finish. For sublime vocalist Heather Headley, her second studio album is the kind of soulful, sonically charged diary where lessons-learned meet musical purpose accomplished, grabbing the listener at its mesmerizing center of gravity, which just happens to emanate from the one and only Heather herself. Move over multi-award-nominated, critically acclaimed debut – because the new one is everything you’d expect from the accomplished Heather, and more – a superb mix of soul, dancehall, exquisite balladry and fire breathing gospel that proves the agile Heather can not only wrap herself around a song, but also throw her arms around the entire recording process.

08.02.2006