Queen of Kingston

posted in: Artist Features • Urban

Chantelle Ernandez’s resume cuts a wide swath through Jamaican music: Collaborations with Mikey Dread, Max Romeo and Tristan Palmer; production by Toots Hibbert of Toots and the Maytals; Ttours with the Wailers. The Kingston chanteuse began her career in the church, singing in the choir and learning the piano along the way. Years of woodshedding in various groups and recording with countless performers eventually led to Ernandez striking it out on her own, and the result is Caution Tape and Stilettos, produced by Curtis Lynch of Necessary Mayhem in London. Fans of reggae, funk, soul and R&B will all find something to hitch their wagon to here. U Slip I Slide is a down-tempo Caribbean groove, with pulsing organs and keys laying the groundwork for a tale of cheatin’ hearts. Satisfaction, with it’s wah-wah funk guitars and brassy horns epitomizes Ernandez’s spirited, breezy style. With a style that recalls Mary J. Blige, the singer lets loose a mouthful of musings on unrequited love without pausing for a breath. This is a good thing ” the more you get to hear Ernandez’s velvety voice, the better.