All Things Deep - Reviews - Karen Bernod

Karen Bernod - Some Othaness For U

Background singers are often like professional athletes who ride the bench: given limited responsibilities, they can shine, but rely on them too heavily and their weaknesses are exposed.

Karen Bernod is not your average singer.

Years of working with Incognito and Erykah Badu, two of the classiest acts around, have given Bernod a firm foundation in the proper way to uphold the soul tradition, and on her first solo offering she displays a wide array of skills that mark her as one of music's brightest talents.

Unlike many indie-soul releases, Othaness has a rich, full-bodied sound, with plenty of live instrumentation. Credit must go to Bernod and producer Greg Spooner for not skimping on the production values. One wonders what improvements she would make with a larger recording budget.

Bernod's abilities as a lyricist are evident throughout. Covering the topics of love (the instant wedding perennial "The Rest Of My Life"), everyday life ("Chillin' On the DL"), spirituality ("Spirit") and the power of music ("The Pocket"), she crafts songs that are passionate, witty, and just plain soulful.

Fans of Jill Scott and India Arie are strongly encouraged to check out this sista while she's still perfecting her craft.

Released 2000 on Natively Creative

Selected Tracks:

The Pocket
Endangered Specie
Spirit
Reminiscin On Yo Kissin'