Kedar Massenberg is now part of the Motown executive, but four years ago he ran his own label, Kedar Records, and discovered, amongst other gems, Erykah Badu. At the time she was performing as half of a duo, although the songs she was singing would later make up the ‘Baduizm’ album. She ditched her partner and went on to create on of the most original soul albums of the nineties. Very much a part of the nu-soul movement (a move away from commercial R’n’B) Badu’s music focussed on a mixture of spiritual belief and street philosophy, often giving her compositions a cunning double-edge. On first listening, a song may sound winsome and thoughtful but, upon discovering the lyrics, the listener may be surprised that Badu’s singing about a night out to see the Wu Tang Clan. A life-affirming debut that bought new breath to the soul scene. ESSENTIAL!