One Album Wonders
Every now and then, singers invade our space with fantastic music, thrill us for a brief moment and then, disappear into oblivion. In this post, I bring to fore, thankfully, a short list of such players in the music domain.
Cassie- Cassandra Ventura has been described by music critics as untalented and unsuitable to have plied the vocation of singing. Her entry, nonetheless, was attributed to her pretty face. One would describe her vocal texture as dainty, fluttery and laid-back, and a far-cry from powerful, but we must respect and appreciate vocal diversity. Not every singer would be a Whitney or Amy Winehouse, etc.
Be that as it may, Cassie also inspired fashion trends in pop culture as the pioneer of the punk-inspired shaved sides hair-cut which has been emulated by women in the celebrity world and the public. Her singular eponymous album titled Cassie (2006) showcased two hit singles “Me and You” and “Long Way 2 Go”. Since then, there has been promises of a follow-up which is yet to be actualized. Regardless, Cassie still thrives as a fashion model.
2. Jeff Buckley - Buckley was the son of singer and songwriter, Tim Buckley. His career began as a session guitarist and culminated in the 1990s with solo performances at guest appearances. In 1994, he released his only album Grace which contained four singles, namely- “Eternal Life”, “So Real”, “Grace” and “Last Goodbye”. The album was poorly received at the time.
A second album never saw the light of day as Buckley would reportedly drown while swimming in the Mississippi River, albeit fully clothed in 1997.
His demise resuscitated enormous interest in his work while accruing posthumous accolades.
3. Lauryn Hill - Ms Hill’s first media appearance was in the film Sisters Act 2 (1993) which starred Whoopi Goldberg. We would meet her again in the Hip-Hop group, The Fugees with co-members Pras Michel and Wyclef Jean. The group spawned hit-songs like “Ready or Not” and a cover of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly”, etc, to critical acclaim which included two Grammy Awards.
Following the disintegration of the group, Hill would display her flair for production in Whitney Houston’s “I Was Made to Love Him” (My Love Is Your Love - 1998) and her songwriting skills in Aretha Franklin’s “A Rose Is Still A Rose” (A Rose Is Still A Rose - 1998) and Mary J. Blige’s “All That I Can Say” (Mary - 1999).
Her solo effort The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998) would be regarded as her magnus opus and the element which unequivocally established her influence and global appeal. In the album, she converges rap/hip-hop, reggae and neo-soul with hit- songs like “The Ex-Factor”, “To Zion”, “Doo-Wop (That Thing)”, “Forgive Them Father”, “Superstar”, etc.
The album earned five Grammy awards from ten nominations in one night. She would count as one of the best rappers in the genre and a trail-blazer and inspiration for upcoming female rap acts. But Ms Hill would decline a second album and self-eject due to her dissatisfaction with the music industry.
Today, she works based on her terms and remains active on the scene with performances and tours.
4. Lisa Fischer - Fischer started as a background vocalist (one of the best ever), transitioned to a solo artist, declined success and fame, and returned to her comfort zone, background vocals. Her musical influences include Freda Payne, Marvin Gaye and Melba Moore.
Since 1983, Fischer has exercised her golden pipes behind music heavy weights like Billy Ocean, Chaka Khan, Luther Vandross, Melba Moore, Roberta Flack, Sting, Teddy Pendegrass, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, etc.
It was at the instance of Luther Vandross, who was convinced that the world deserved an experience of her sonic brilliance that the album So Intense was released in 1991. The album garnered positive reviews, won a Grammy Award for “ Best Female R&B vocal performance in 1992, for the single “How Can I Ease The Pain”, and a Soul Train Music Award that year. It charted at #1 on the R&B Charts while the album spawned three top 20 R&B hits.
Yet, she found the trappings of fame unattractive and eschewed the creation of a sophomore album. As she would note years later in the documentary film 20 Feet to Stardom, “Singing is about sharing and not competition”. Fischer lacked ego in an egocentrically driven industry where many push and shove to be seen, and instead, opted for the backseat, in order to invest her talent for the benefit of others, despite being a first class talent herself. She, thereby sacrificed individuality for the background, and found contentment and satisfaction in being a supportive force rather than the lead act.
5. Puff Johnson - Johnson was an R&B singer who had worked with artists like Christopher Williams, Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur, etc. Her sonorous voice looms large on Pac’s “Me Against The World”.
Her only solo effort Miracle (1996) which surfaced with contributions from the likes of Jermaine Dupri, Diane Warren, Narada Michael Walden, embodied superlative songs like “Outside My Window”, “True Meaning Of Love”, “Forever More” and “Please, Help Me, I’m Falling (In Love With You), etc.
The hopes for a sophomore album were dashed as Johnson would die of cervical cancer in 2013.
6. Tatyana Ali - Back in the days, Ali was touted to have been the daughter of the legendary boxer, Mohammed Ali. But, no she was not! She enjoys a mixed heritage as the first of three daughters to an Indian-Trinidadian father and a Panamian mother of African descent.
She is a child prodigy who began on Sesame Street and progressed to Fresh Prince, as such television was her first love. But her singing ability was discovered whilst there.
She would pay more than a cursory glance at the insistence of Will Smith, co-actor on the set of Fresh Prince, and in 1998, her album Kiss The Sky was released. It contained hit songs like “Daydreamin”, “Boy You Knock Me Out” and “Everytime”.
The album achieved little success and Ali would be dropped from her music label in 1999. However, she has enjoyed success as an actress on film and television. In 2002, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in African American Studies and Government from the Harvard University.
