Reverb: Melanie Fiona

Motown has molded the hearts and minds of music lovers all over the world. From Michael the Moonwalker to Dream Girl Mary Wilson, the House that Berry built has produced countless hit makers for the last 51 years. So how befitting that it is the recording refuge for Canadian songstress Melanie Fiona whose voice is as timeless as her personal elegance and style.

Her debut album, “The Bridge” was released in November of 2009 as the feverish follow-up to her 9 month old single “Give it To Me Right”, and ode to self pleasure when her love interest doesn’t quite measure up. Fiona’s freshman release is a cohesively clever composition of songs that speak to the minds and hearts of men and women who’ve experienced hard love, strong love, crazy love, and all points in between.

With model perfect looks, one would believe the talent of this gorgeous Guyanese goddess could simply hinge on having a marketable look and good studio production, the common anecdote for today’s most popular musicians. Yet Melanie is the antithesis of the “Pop” one hit wonder. Her throaty runs on heartbreak and misguided devotion are anthems to cure loss love with a simple whirl and twirl on the dance floor.

2010 will definitely be a break out year for this star, yet she remains humble. You can tune into her Vlog on Youtube where she chronicles her tour experiences and frequently extends to fans acapella renditions of some of her favorite songs from the Softones, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Zombies . A variety of the tracks on her album like “Monday Morning”, “Walk on By”, and “Teach Him” borrows from the soulful syncopations of yesterday to add a refreshing flair into the modern day matters of the heart we all face today.

The musings of Melanie Fiona will truly add some stank to your step as you channel your inner Naomi on your next trip down the catwalk. Far from the risqué rhetoric that clogs musical airwaves today, Melanie was made to soothe and serenade the lover in you!

Words by Raygon Fields