JELIQ: Mutelligence

Jeliq

Mutelligence

© 2007 Jeliq (634479655746) (format: CD-R)

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Just like Tina Turner was feeling jazzy one day, called up India.Arie, who put the blues to her neosoul while Bob Marley’s Wailers sang back-up, with the gentle touch of Corinne Bailey. Such is the phrase that would capture the style of Jéliq.

notes

A native of Uganda and proud to call Baltimore her 2nd home, Jéliq is anything but ordinary. With the debut of her first album – Mutelligence, Jéliq proves to be a one-woman force to be reckoned with. Showcasing her mastery of diverse instrumentation, Mutelligence is a successfully creative blend of jazz, hip-hop, reggae and blues, grounded by strong vocals and lively harmonies.

Mutelligence was born while in college at Morgan State University and has been some two years in the making. While juggling her double major in Accounting and Music at Morgan State University, Jéliq spent her nights making beats on her computer. This soon in of itself became a passion, which later translated into full-fledged music production. A self-taught producer, her talent shines throughout Mutelligence, which in its entirety is impressively produced by Jéliq. With its intellectual lyrics, Mutelligence features enjoyably live-sounding soulful jazzy songs such as Getting Older, where Jéliq proudly declares “… ma mama raised me right…” Reminiscent of Corinne Bailey’s “Like a Star,” Wishful Ways delivers an honest, gentle and surreal love-song that makes you tingle allover. The big band-like self-affirming Me First brings attitude and defiance of imposed sexual expectations. Just as keen on self-value is the unhurried I’m Gonna Change, where Jéliq’s strong vocals compel you to listen to a woman determined to start valuing self. This collection also includes lyrically insightful tunes such as Definition of a Man, which dares you to answer “…What is the definition of a man…?” For every dream there is a struggle. Hence the need for Call Me by My Name, which speaks towards unlearning expectations and keeping dreams afloat. He’ll Surprise Us is Jéliq’s commentary on the state of a brotha still paying imposed dues when “… a brotha tries but won’t seem to catch a break…is there hope inside our eyes when he flies…Shame inside our hearts coz we wrote him off … ?” On the same token, H*ll 2 Pay is a social commentary, which was bred from a familiar discontentment with our societal state. With back-up reminiscent of Bob Marley’s Wailers, H*ll 2 Pay speaks of the price to come, and looms over your head like a foreshadowing, long after the song’s end. At some point, every girl must make choices. Enter Pressure with its infectious tuba riffs, highlighting the dilemma “… one writes me poetry, the other one rubs ma feet…” Of course, faced with such tough choices, a girl can only choose a Good Man. This jazzy dance tune will have your foot uncontrollably taping along to the beat. Just as catchy, the memorable Daylight will have you still humming long after the song has ended. Mutelligence is also packed with dance tunes like Freedom. Word to the wise - “if I got ma man, then I got ma man.” So declares the witty Ms. Irresistible. With its innovative tracks highlighting jazzy sax, bluesy electric guitar, and smooth vocals, Mutelligence is sure to have you listening intently.

In this day’s sound-alike, market saturation, one thing is for sure - Mutelligence is a welcome breath of fresh air... and a true testament to the power of one artist’s hard work. With features at the Pfish Tea in Washington, DC as well as LaTamarinda in Silver Spring, performances at the Annual African Ball and Towson University’s Explosion, Jéliq is just getting started and surely coming to a stage near you.

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  • Luvd It!
    author: Jay

    I was so inspired! Keep doing your thing! _ Jay

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