There’s no denying the exceptional talent of Canadian singer Tamia, whose voice stands out as one of the most distinctive in R&B. Her introduction to the music scene was marked by her captivating performances in two songs, the soulful ballad “You Put A Move on my Heart” and the Babyface duet “Slow Jams,” both featured on the 1995 Quincy Jones album Q’s Jook Joint. Tamia’s collaborations with Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan and her contribution to the legendary ballad “Missing You” further solidified her reputation as a powerhouse in the industry.
In the fall of 1998, Tamia made a significant mark in the R&B world by releasing her debut album, which is self-titled. Her first single, “Imagination,” a mid-tempo R&B song produced and written by Jermaine Dupri and Manuel Seal, was a powerful testament to her influence. The song, a bop about the power of imagination in a relationship, encouraged listeners to tap into their imagination to make their relationships more fulfilling. The song’s interpolation of The Jackson 5’s 1969 song “I Want You Back” further solidified the impact of Tamia’s debut.
“So Into You,” the album’s second single, saw Tamia delving into the sampling world. Producers Tim & Bob crafted a mesmerizing tune around The Commodores’ “Say Yeah.” The song, an infectious and airy love ballad, captures the intense infatuation one feels for someone, a feeling that defies explanation. The lyrics beautifully express the overwhelming emotions that come with being with this person, highlighting the uniqueness and specialness of their connection. I remember being 17 when the song came out, feeling like Tamia was singing directly to me.
In the third single, “Loving You Still,” Tamia collaborates with the legendary Daryl Simmons. She leans towards the pop side in this song while maintaining an R&B vibe. What’s surprising about this song is that Simmons incorporates soft Latin pop influences, with instrumentation consisting primarily of flamenco guitars and castanets. With her impressive vocal range, Tamia passionately croons about longing for her former beau.
The rest of the album features the typical tropes you would find on a female nineties R&B album. Without going into depth from the titles “Never Gonna Let You Go”, “Falling For You,” and “This Time It’s Love”, I’m sure you know what they are about. Tamia sings them all well, with the only step on the album being “Is That You?” as it comes off as a Mariah Carey or Xscape outtake, considering Jermaine Dupri’s style.
Nevertheless, even when she plays it safe, Tamia’s passionate vocals help elevate the album to a worthwhile debut.
Final Grade: B
“Tamia” is available on all streaming platforms
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