Jhelisa - A Primitive Guide To Being There

After a long absence, Jhelisa finally returns with A PRIMITIVE GUIDE TO BEING THERE. And while this album doesn't reach the heights that LANGUAGE ELECTRIC achieved, it's still quite an accomplishment. The gospel stomper, "Freedom's Land," quickly morphs into a more thoughtful and melancholy track, while maintaining the percussive movement. "Flute Band in Gauteng" has a Spanish flavor to it -- interesting, considering that Gauteng is in South Africa. Certainly, Jhelisa has returned to her acid jazz roots, prefering freeform compositions to accompany her sultry vocals, but she doesn't limit herself. "Journey of Life (In Nine Minutes)" integrates some South Asian percussion, while "Love is a State of Mind" goes for some sophisticated funk that should put some neo-soulstresses to shame. And "Far I Have Come, Far I Must Go" has the power of an old spiritual. Indeed, she can switch styles within the same song: "Survivin' (in the Key of E-Flat)" goes from a minimal vocals-and-bass dirge into a spry vocal workout. If anything, this album proves (despite its title) that Jhelisa is anything but primitive.