With a voice that’s as jazzy as it is soulful Nigerian born vocalist Douye has already been compared to Sade yet, truth to tell, she has a style very much her own. Her debut album ‘Journey’ is a wonderful collection of eleven chilled out tracks that she has written in partnership with renowned pop songwriter Terry Shaddick who, among other things, garnered fame as the co-writer of Olivia Newton John’s smash hit ‘Physical’.
Douye first started singing in church at the age of seven and quickly began focusing on her future as a professional singer. In her mid-teens she traveled to Europe to pursue her growing musical dreams and later immigrated to the USA where she studied voice at the acclaimed Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. After graduating, Douye performed in clubs throughout Los Angeles and, as she continued to map her singing, songwriting and musical direction, rapidly become a prolific writer. A chance encounter with Shaddick led to the collaboration that has culminated in ‘Journey’ and her first major step on the path to musical success.
A feature of the album is the quality of the musicians that Douye has assembled to support her and this is well demonstrated with the melodically romantic ‘In Love With You’ for which the guitar of Jeff Prescetto is particularly effective. A splash of sax from the renowned Gary Meek simply adds to the pleasure and although ‘Still Hurting’ has a shuffling beat to die for its the hypnotic ‘Wicked World’ that proves to be a delightful vehicle for a more soulful side to Douye’s virtuosity. In part, ‘The Voice’ betrays Shaddick’s credentials as a seasoned pop writer and as Douye makes the most of this heartfelt ballad she throws up the real possibility of a jazz to pop cross-over hit.
The turned down splendor of ‘Cold Wind Blows’ contrasts magnificently with the jazzy and theatrically orientated title track which is blessed by the guitar of James Harrah and an excellent contribution from Harry Kim on muted trumpet. However, ‘Waiting For My Man’ puts Douye right back in the rhythmic groove that is indicative of much of the album and with ‘Walk Away’ she stays there. An understated but nevertheless distinctively Caribbean vibe makes ‘A Day In Paradise’ possibly the least restrained of the songs on offer whilst the tight and hugely ‘in the pocket’ ‘Fly Away’ affords the opportunity to really appreciate Douye’s very individual style.
That said, a real Smooth Jazz Therapy favorite is the outrageously infectious ‘On For You’. Gliding atop a deliciously languid mid tempo beat, and with Prescetto also lending a hand on background vocals, this is one seriously good tune.
‘Journey’ by Douye represents a highly accomplished debut and is well worth checking out.