Opening for various artists such as Kindred, Leela James, Ledisi, Dwele, Rahsaan Patterson, Chrisette Michele and Robin Thicke, Abby Dobson was been featured in GIANT Magazine’s September 2009 issue as an artist to watch.
A lot can happen in a year and a half.
She has sung background for artists the likes of Talib Kweli and John Legend, but has never had an album, until now. Her recently debut album, “Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You Have Been Waiting On,” shows she has the power to do more than backup stars.
On this album, she showcases her style and singing technique and doesn’t make a liar of out of Giant mag either.
She sounds much like six-time Grammy winner Toni Braxton with a unique touch. She has the talent to take on many different genres as well. At first listen, the jazz timbres filter through, but later on, you’ll hear folk, neo soul and R&B find their way into the sound. It helps that the sound is multi-layered as well, consisting of electric and acoustic guitar, piano, bass, drums, organ, percussion, saxophone, trumpet and violin.
When listening to “I’m Drowin’†you may get the urge to get up out your seat and dance; this song has a bit of a reggae Caribbean vibe, which may trace back to Dobson’s roots [She was born in Kingston, Jamaica}. It seems as if she incorporates the reggae vibe without even noticing. This is just one example of her uniqueness. Overall, the album is a lyrical story of love and the ups and downs of life.
Each track has a different sound, one thing that remains the same is the instrumental melodies, some of the tracks are just lined with a good two minutes of harmonious instruments. Dobson’s voice perfectly interrupts and begins to sing. On the contrary, the words can be a bit repetitive and the tracks tend to stretch sometimes being six minutes long and better, which can be a bit dragging. Dobson has a powerful voice and listening to the album you may think it is too much vibrato.
As with any artist, the first album needs a little more polish, but Dobson has a sound that is familiar, yet unique. She can become a sensation. This album is proof.
Abby’s music is a breath of fresh air. All the trash on the radio right now, its good to finally has Abby’s CD. Stop compairing her to other artist listen to what she singing about. Plus she can sing even better live not a studio artists, no auto tune for sweet Abby. Just so good to her fresh music.