By *Ben J. Brown Jr

The Neptunes have truly embarked on some amazing musical efforts in their day and their joint venture with Ethiopian-born vocalist and musician Kenna. With amazing focus and determination this brotha has managed to grind out his second solo album Make Sure They See My Face after sustaining the pains and aggravations of delays and label hopping that has delayed his finished product over 2 years! Finally blessing the masses in 2007, Kenna has become one of those ‘underground’ buzz artists with a feverish fan base that adores his artistry.

As you delve into his sophomore effort in “Daylight” you get a tell tale awakening towards the type of offering you’re about to receive. The Neptunes have always walked that fine line of rock, electronica, hip hop, and pop that have managed to bring about an evolution of that ‘new wave’ sound that dominated our hearts and ears in the 80’s. In comes, Kenna’s soul arrow of a voice that bulleye’s a note in a fashion similar to Seal and Bono of U2. His energy fills each note with a confidence that does magic on its own and rarely needs the harmonizing background vocals weaved within. And “Daylight” delivers this feeling in it’s entirety. Energetic, bold, and uplifting at the same time, this track and most of the rest of the album is intended to be played with intense volume.

To keep you on your toes, Kenna soars into the realm of awkward electro-sexy with N.E.R.D.-techno style club beats on “Loose Wires” and “Out Of Control” that dance about keys that commercial monkey’s dare not even attempt to face. Kenna and the Star Trak pioneers trailblaze this effort with a motion potion that when unleashed on an open-minded dance floor will most assuredly recruit more Kenna fans to the fold.

As if to take Pharrell’s adventures from his solo album to a new level, “Say Goodbye to Love” has elements of irresistible soul that touch upon Prince-esque electro-funk that Pharrell and Hugo tend to touch upon from time to time.

Despite the undeniable tendency to rock or funk out every song on a high volume level, Kenna’s affinity for U2 can be heard at times. The clarity of this comes through on a few of the more mellow tracks such as “Baptized In Blacklight”, “Static”, “Be Still”, and “Wide Awake”. Upon each, Kenna manages to focus that energetic voice to a soothing tone that still captures you like the lingering echo of a lonesome bell.

Still, what Kenna does best on this album is rock and on no song on this album is this done better than on “Sun Red Sky Blue”. It is filled with the best of what makes Kenna so amazing. The lyricism is heavy and deep forcing you to hear and feel as he unleashes upon the beat. And unleash he does. Not once does this amplified beat ever lose him or his passion as his call to his lover in an odd confident desperation is captured so beautifully in this song.

This artist is a must, this album is a must, this experience is electric, and this you can trust. So make sure you see this amplified vision that Kenna has graced upon the alternative soul/rock scene called Make Sure They See My Face.

*Ben’s new book “Diary of an Affair” is available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

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