Intro’s, in this case “Gintro” featuring The Poetess, usually set the tone for the album. Ginger Jackson, a seemingly well rounded vocalist, explains to the listener how she will present them with various flavors. Unfortunately, Jackson fails in almost all of her attempts. Her voice sounds almost childlike and sweet when you hear her speak. One is left expecting it to hide a full singing range as many R&B stars before Jackson have proven. In many of the tracks on the album, Jackson tries to switch up and demonstrate a mastery of vocal range. Again, she fails at each try.
In today’s R&B, there is a lack of writing genius. On Ghetto Bourgeois, there is a tremendous lack thereof. Jackson shares the writing with D’Anthony Robertson, and Anthony Branch. Despite the back up efforts of these collaborators, no writer saves the day. The production is too simple. One can tell that all the producers are really trying hard to find that bridge between that laid back lounge style and a little of that so-called hip-hop street edge. The production sounds forced and the arrangement on many of the tracks seem rushed. There is no chemistry between the singer and composer. Even though the Gintro tells us that there is some hip-hop on the album, there isn’t any. Honestly, there is nothing ‘ghetto’ or ‘boureois’ about the album at all.
There are a few gems however. “Searching” and “Another Side of Heaven” have above average writing and flowing arrangements. Both are songs that are radio friendly and can keep a crowd’s attention in any setting. These are the songs one expects after hearing the Gintro. Overall the album is less than mediocre and yet there is much growth in Jackson’s future. She can sing better than most. With some coaching, better production, and a solid writer, her next contribution should be very successful. Some of us would rather hear Ms. Ginger Jackson over a Nivea anyway.
Ghetto Bourgeois is available on Cool Out Records.
Comments on this entry are closed.