I had the pleasure of listening to Fantasia Barrino’s debut album, Free Yourself. We first fell in love with Fantasia’s soulful vocals on the third season of American Idol. She ultimately won the competion and this CD shows why. The young artist collaborated with super producer Missy Elliot and a host of other talented artists.

The album has an electric feel to it. It is the type of CD you can play all the way through without skipping any songs. The vocals on each track are so crisp and clean.Even the slower ballads have a nice groove to them that makes you want to dance.The strings and other live instruments are hot.This album should do well.Fantasia is a real star.She will go rather far in the music industry. Hooking up with Missy Elliot and her production team was a great idea that should produce a long career of hits as well as club friendly songs.There is not a weak track in the bunch.Fantasia and Missy Elliot did a great job with this project. I predict we will hear a lot more from Fantasia because she has a distinct sound and style that is not prevalent in today’s R&B music.The title track “Free Yourself” was refreshing and inspirational. Ms.Barrino’s voice exploded in this song and gave off the “down home, southern church” pazazz that she has become famous for.Fantasia has been known to say that she is inspired by Patti LaBelle,Aretha Franklin,Mary J. Blige and Mahalia Jackson.These influences are evident in her work.

My personal favorite was “Baby Mama.” Fantasia was quoted in a recent interview with The Source Magazine saying, “I wanted to make music that makes people feel good and that everyone can relate to on some kinda’ level. It’s about time there was a theme song for all of the single mothers out there working hard to make ends meet, to make sure their families are okay. I wanted to do this song so we could have a song to jam to in the car on the way home from work and say,yeah this song is just for me!”

“Free Yourself” was fantastic and it was just for me. Fantasia gets two thumbs way up.