Woods, an independent artist, was already receiving props in the Caribbean industry, winning "Producer of the Year" in 2004, as well as "new Artist" and "Contemporary Vocal Performance (Female)." That may read like so much bla, bla, bla until you hear the first sweet strains of her soulful sound; suddenly it all makes sense.
First out is "Happy," straight-up pop radio fare, other than her exceptional husky vocals. Ayiesha has a scratchy quality to her tone that immediately lets you know there is something different going on here, something with far more potential than "Happy" reveals. Ayiesha wrote, or co-wrote, all 12 songs and, while they each highlight her strong faith perspective, they don't all necessarily show forth her full potential. I believe this young woman has some Tracy Chapman in her, great individuality just waiting to explode through those amazing vocal chops of hers. Not all of the pop and R&B songs here show her capabilities. But they do whet your appetite.
"Big Enough" is the first to suggest her underlying creativity. Nicely arranged with some thick guitars and rock beats, her voice has something to play with, and with the passionate bridge, and Toby Mac's appearance, she works it well. The urgency of "Get To You," both lyrically and vocally, makes the track a compelling one. It is followed by the wonderfully reggae "Crazy," now one of my favorite songs of the year. I love its stompin' dancehall flavor, its instrumentation, and its zealous message of steadfast commitment. Ayiesha may be just what the Doctor ordered to get us re-inspired and focused on the mainland; she's taking her faith seriously and it's all over her music.
The ballads on "Introducing" showcase Ayiesha's expressive vocals powerfully, including "What You Do To Me," a straight-up love song to the Father. The R&B track "Days" stands out for its soulful groove, implemented both by her shimmering vocals and the tight horn section. A little different, the acoustic rock feel of "Beauty" challenges the Christian culture on our interpretation of beauty, powerfully prophetic in its personal truthfulness, and the B3 humming along beneath it all doesn't hurt either. Most of the tracks contain small touches of Island flavor, and they only make me want more. I'd love to see more of what Ayiesha has in her when she's given space to stretch out and release her inner Tracy Chapman. Overall, "Introducing" only makes me want more, much more, of the hugely talented Ayiesha Woods, making her debut by all accounts a triumph across the board.
