Armed with a new contract with Capitol Records, Faith Evans makes a fresh start with this release. Evans is not a new face, of course; she's worked in the industry for a decade, first as a songwriter and backing vocalist with the famous and infamous (Mary J. Blige, Usher, Notorious B.I.G.), and later as a platinum-selling solo artist. On this, her fourth release, the 32-year-old Grammy winner, has written and arranged each of the 12 tracks and regained control of a career that had seemingly gone sour. In 2004, she was married (and divorced) to the late Notorious B.I.G and arrested on drug charges. Clearly, she's put all that behind her, and the title The First Lady speaks of self-confidence and dignity. The result is an album of her best songs to date, an exquisite collection of warm soul, R&B and funk, with hooks that will reel in the listener. Who says life doesn't offer a second chance?
EMI

(c) that's Shanghai Magazine
Chief editor: Steven Crane
December 2005 issue