Jully Black

Given the decidedly vanilla Canadian music landscape, one wouldn’t fault Toronto’s Jully Black for packing her sassy self to the States for greener pastures. But the Toronto-based singer-songwriter has made a go of it in the Great White North, and with flourishing results. Through various high profile media gigs and appearances, she’s become a brand unto herself, instantly recognisable in Regina, hailed in Halifax and touted in Toronto. Indeed, Black has been extremely savvy when it comes to forging a music identity and defining the possibilities of being a successful Canadian R&B singer. Just peep the lyrics in the reggae-tinged manifesto "Queen” ("I’m a girl, I’m a lady, I’m a woman, I’m a queen, I’m everything I can be”). With that in mind, Revival is a careful, calculated project, one that manages to stay street sassy while staying upliftingly family-friendly. There’s a slight trade-off however: between the glossy mass appeal production of songs such as the pop-flavoured soul of "Just a Moment,” "Catch Me When I Fall” and the Etta James (à la Amy Winehouse) reworking of "Seven Day Fool,” one could argue that Revival plays it a tad too safe. There’s still her trademark mix of R&B, soul and reggae but long-time fans might miss a more "urban”-sounding Black, as heard on tracks like "My Baby.” In the grand scheme of things however, it’s remarkable that a Canadian R&B artist even gets to record a sophomore disc, much less one as ambitious as this. Revival rocks rightly, plays it safe and essentially ensures Black a lengthy and award-winning Canadian career.