Atlanta based and New Jersey born, singer –songwriter Chinua (Shin-Wah) Hawk has been making a mark on the urban scene since 2001 and the release of his solo debut ‘The Beautiful Things’. In 2003, together with his writing partner Kwame Viapree, he won the 2003 Heineken Music Initiative Award for their song ‘I Remember You’ from his CD ‘Sunflower’ and now is using his latest offering, ‘A Beautifully Complicated Life’, to revisit some of his previously recorded material, add a few new tunes along the way and blend them with a selection of well chosen covers.
Indeed ‘A Beautifully Complicated Life’ is a tremendously accessible collection that often walks a fine line between pop and soul. However, in doing so it conjures up some terrific examples of pop orientated smooth R & B that is perfectly typified by the album’s opening track, the easy grooving yet heartfelt ‘Back2Life’. It sets the scene for much that is to follow in in this respect ‘Nickel To Spare’ proves to be another cool groove with the tasty addition of a compelling rhythm.
Moving closer to the urban vibe that Hawk handles so effortlessly, ‘One Man World’ is right on the money and although he uses both ‘You’re All I’ve Got’ and ‘If I Could’ as a means to ease down the temp, the intense ‘On My Way’ finds him at his dazzling, hip swaying best.
In terms of cover versions his faithful interpretations of ‘Sailing’ by Christopher Cross and Prince’s ‘Nothing Compares’ are extremely well done but even better are Hawk’s take on Al Green’s seminal ‘Let’s Stay Together’ and his sumptuous re-imagining of the George Michael blockbuster ‘Careless Whisper’. The number features additional vocals from Chantae Cann and when she returns for the smoky, urban ‘After The Rain’ helps deliver what is arguably the album’s finest track. That said, in terms of personal favorites the outstandingly soulful ‘Sunflower’ is very hard to beat. Old school inclined yet totally current this is a song that proves soul music, when done this well, will last forever.