Artist: Mem Nahadr
Title: Femme Fractale
Label: Madwoman Multimedia
Genre: Neo Soul/R&B
Release date: April 8, 2013
CD Review by Dawoud Kringle
Mem Nahadr, a New York City based internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performance artist film composer, author, independent filmmaker and multidisciplinary video/sonic visionary, has composed an operatic vision.
The story is best introduced through this excerpt from www.memnahadr.com : “In shock from a recent devastation, we find “Mira” desperate and despondent as she reaches a Crossroad . . . which Challenges what is left of her Sanity. There, in her “Shattered’ state of suspension, She is introduced to “A Host” … a fractalized SUPERVersion of Herself, Who instructs In the Art of Repetition, Recognition and Reflection. Hence the Union of Separation begins.”
Clearly, this is the work of someone with a unique and powerful vision.
The CD begins with the track “Passage.” Mem sings over a Rhodes keyboard background, which evolves into an ecstatic orchestral soul/jazz testimony over which Mem’s voice soars like an eagle. It fades with some gently lilting vocal harmonies. The music continues with “Grey ARIA.” Synth pads swirl and wobbly melodies usher in a heavy dance beat. A keyboard countermelody reminiscent of early Meshell Ndegeocello open the way to Mem’s vocals. Vocal background harmonies offer counterpoint grooves that weave in and out of each other.
Song after song, the entire CD guides the listener through a visionary journey of self-revelation and evolution of the spirit. These adjectives are rarely applicable to the soul/funk/R&B genre; but Mem and her partner in composition C.J. Wright pulls it off gracefully.
The music weaves a dense tapestry of dreamy, ethereal, and emotionally intense experience.
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