2008-05-23Staff Report 2 "By Staff Reporter WINDHOEK Namibian R&B singer/songwriter, Christi Warner, last week released her debut album entitled I Found My Rhythm to local Windhoek-based music shops such as Universal Sounds & Mono Music, it was announced in a press statement. Already since the beginning of this month her songs have received fair airplay and the public's response has been remarkable, most congratulating her on taking the brave root to brake away from being a follower of what's considered 'popular' to do something that is less-popular, yet needed in the local scene - this being RnB/Soul. Cheese from Fresh fm called her music 'a breath of fresh air,' and Stalin (local music producer) personally classifies Christi ""as an adult contemporary singer, the last of an endangered breed."" Randall Parrish (US-based marketer and previous music reviewer for The Indianapolis Star & Indianapolis News), had the following to say in a review the artist uses on her website. ""My favourite today (could change daily) is Christi's song One On One which features the fresh young Namibian female rapper Robynia and has an infectious beat guaranteed to get everybody up and dancing. The chorus sounds like Danity Kane (who'd die to have this song!) and is simply spellbinding. The production value of this track is outstanding and gives me the impression that this one will be a big hit ... not just locally, but around the entire globe."" Warner is a multi-talented artist. A wordsmith with stylistic savvy and a voice that can be gentle as an angel's breath or, on occasion, caustic as a lemon tart. Either way, her lyrics are always thought-provoking and her music rich and satisfying. Multiple listens reward the listener with newfound delights. Her new CD entitled I Found My Rhythm is now available and it's a real treat. It's hard to pick favourite cuts when the overall quality displayed is so high. The cut The Rhythm Of Love, is an example of Christi's tart side. She displays a hip & sassy streetsmart persona as the wise ""soul sister"" warning others of the struggles faced fighting for equality in the battle of the sexes. The rap has a catchy refrain sang sweetly to a head-boppin' beat. On ""In Swahili"" her vocal tone is lullaby smooth even though the lyrics are of great importance and loaded with African references. The wise Swahili sayings help frame the content of the story behind the lyrics. A sparse acoustic guitar/bass (both duties cleanly handled by Claude) accompanies Christi as her vocal flows along like a leaf on a gentle stream; until the end when she begins to lightly scat. Upon scrutiny, the lyrics reveal the immense pride for her homeland and ancestors and the song comes from deep within her heart and soul and is breathtakingly special. My favourite today (could change daily) is Christi's song One On One which features the fresh young Namibian female rapper Robynia and has an infectious beat guaranteed to get everybody up and dancing. The lyrics are crammed full of cultural icon references (soaps, tv shows, tv personalities, etc.) that come at you fast and furious. The chorus sounds like Danity Kane (who'd die to have this song!) and is simply spellbinding. The production value of this track is outstanding, and gives me the impression that this one will be a big hit. This song could blow up internationally its truly that good. Other people lending a helping hand on these recordings include Stalin of RV Inc, Beat Master, DJ Kboz (Bosley), Trace, Wojtek from AudioArt Recordings, Kiiru Wa Ngotho of Myndz Community, and Roger Dodger. Also, featured on Tangy Tangy Thang are Lizell Swarts and Jaicee, both from the popular Namibian group XPlode of which Christi was a member. Stalin, the much respected Producer of RV Inc in Namibia remarks: ""Christi is a dedicated artist. What sets her apart from other female singers is her ability to articulate her emotions through the use of her impeccable poetry. I personally classify Christi as an Adult contemporary singer, the last of an endangered breed."" Some of the songs on the CD can be heard on her Myspace page (along with a more detailed review). All are different styles with catchy tunes containing insightful lyrical content and her willowy vocals. Namibian audiences have been known to call her ""the Soul Sister of Truth"". She never substitutes vocal theatrics for genuine feeling. It's music that grows on you and grows in your soul. Don't miss it! " 2008-05-23Staff Report 2
