Grenique - Black Butterfly (1999)

Young singer Grenique layers her debut with vocals that are soulful yet subtle, with a neo-classical soul sound true enough to capture your attention but not overtake you. From the ethereal rhythms of the title track, to the jazz-spiced remake of Heatwave's "Star of a Story," this album is piled with soothing, earthy music. Grenique's vocals recall vintage Chaka Khan, especially the catchy "Let Go," with shades of Dionne Ferris. Although her sound isn't as distinctive as Erykah Badu's, she'll surely draw comparisons to the trend-setting singer since they share the same producer, (Kedar Massenburg) and spiritual leanings.