Lift You Up [EP] (Oriyah, 2004)

It's hard to review an EP, but if Queen Makedah's Lift You Up is any indication, there's reason to anticipate great things from her upcoming album Spiritual Healing.  The latter two tracks on this release are from that album, while the first, "Tippin," is a remix of one from her 2000 debut The Awakening.  Queen Makedah has been compared to a mix between Bob Marley and Sade, and while such lofty comparisons should probably be reserved until she has released more material, the point is clear: she melds a sultry R&B edge with a rootsy reggae foundation.  Her smoky voice and crossover appeal remind me quite a bit of Diana King.  With reggae being as popular in the USA as it's ever been, it seems there's perhaps never been a better time for such a style to succeed.  The single "Lift You Up" is certainly a step in the right direction.  This effervescent, life-affirming roots tune has the feel of classic and deserves much exposure.  "I Got Mine" is a more laid-back affair with intriguing lyrics that tell the tale of a woman betrayed.  "Tippin" is more R&B than reggae and thus won't necessarily win over reggae fans, but the other two tracks make this an intriguing EP that begs for further investigation into Queen Makedah's sound.  You can hear and purchase it at cdbaby.com.