Renée Zawawi's L-E-G-E-N-D-S - How One Recording Artist Openly Shares Her Life in Her Music

Renée Zawawi L-E-G-E-N-D-S is exotic dance-pop and was produced by the Demo Center in New York City. All the songs were written by Renée, and their themes stem from her experiences. You would never know that Renée was originally from Philadelphia, PA. Just close your eyes, and Bombay comes to mind. Her music is aimed for a global audience, tipping the scales toward Europe or India; and Renée talks about some of her best and worst experiences in life. And a very sad note: when Renée was a child, she was abducted and taken overseas, only to return home years later and learn that her mother was deceased. Perhaps this experience is what allows this talented vocalist/songwriter to affect her listeners with her stirring vocal quality.

When the first track "American Girrrl" came on, I immediately wanted to move. The beat is stirring and Renée Zawawi's voice has a wispy, childlike quality, which is a nice contrast to the heavy dance groove. "'American Girrrl' is about being accepted in today's exclusive and super tough entertainment industry."

 

The second track "The Wind Was Her Only Music" is a very visual track. The music is not the standard major chords that you hear in Western society. This song has a far-away quality, and the hook of this song is haunting and addicting. The Latin guitar tastefully adds to the track. Renée has a well-trained voice, exercising so much control, and she impresses me with her natural quarter toned vibrato. This song is about Renée's experiences as a little girl, where she was dragged away from home by her abductors, and longed to see her family.

Track 7 "Never Knew" starts out sexy with a Spanish feel, it alternates between mid-tempo and upbeat and is peppered with castanets once again showing Renée Zawawi's uniqueness and her deliberate attempt at change. Renée pulls it off well. Every track in L-E-G-E-N-D-S encompasses Renée's diversity. "I sang to release my soul and relieve the heartache of what I was going through." 

Prevalent in L-E-G-E-N-D-S, Renée experiments with different and unique sounds. The beats are infectious and very synonymous with clubs and DJs. Renée's voice is soothing and smooth—very reminiscent of Astrud Gilberto, in that she can hold a note in a comfortable range with so much control, making it seem effortless. "I can't imagine living without music in my life. There is no better feeling than sharing touching moments with my audience." -Renée Zawawi

This album is unique, well-produced, creative, haunting, sexy . . . the adjectives are limitless. Renée has delivered a beautiful piece of eclectic work. I give this CD 4.5 stars.

To keep updated on Renée Zawawi and L-E-G-E-N-D-S go to www.reneezawawi.com.

Reviewed by Sean McKenzie