CD REVIEW R&B
Solange, "Sol-Angle and the Hadley St. Dreams" (Music World/Geffen)
While Solange may have missed some of the memos received and followed to the letter by her much more famous sister, Beyoncé, the faux petulant rebel appears to have intercepted some of the ones meant for Amy Winehouse, whose shadow looms large here. Even just a couple of years ago, major labels were not exactly clamoring to sign retro-soul singers, even one who shares DNA with the most dynamic R&B performer of the decade (to say nothing of one whose 2003 debut release, "Solo Star," was characterless pop R&B).
But Solange is no Winehouse, even if she has corralled top producers -- the Neptunes, Soulshock and Karlin and Mark Ronson, the architect of Winehouse's sound -- all in the service of creating a Motownesque fantasy world in which Solange can distinguish herself from the family brand. This is a peppy album, rich with thumping horns, crisp percussion and light piano melodies. As homage, it's impressive. But Solange can't quite keep up. Her voice lacks texture and depth, making her frustrations almost indistinguishable from her celebrations. Being different, it turns out, is not quite enough. Besides, Beyoncé got here first, too, in "Dreamgirls."
JON CARAMANICA, NEW YORK TIMES
