Ms
Dynamite: 
A Little Deeper - Universal.
Release date: June 10, 2002
Album review by: Amanda E Idowu
1.
Natural High
2. Dy-na-mi-tee
3.
Anyway U Want It (Ft Keon Bryce)
4.
Put Him Outt
5. Brother
6.
It Takes More (Bloodshy Main Mix)
7. Sick N Tired
8.
Afraid To Fly
9.
Fly
10. Watch Over Them
11. Seed Will Grow (Ft Kymani Marley)
12.
Krazy Krush
13.
Now U Want My Love
14. Too Experienced (Ft Barrington Levy)
15. Gotta Let U Know
16. All I Ever
17.
A Little Deeper
The acclaimed 2002 Mercury Album of the year, 'A Little Deeper' by Ms Dynamite is an album I really enjoyed listening to. A combination of sixteen R&B tracks, with a tad of raggae influence, this album made me forget there was ever a problem with the British urban music scene. Miss Dynamites chosen style of music will be a surprise to her earlier fans who would be more familiar with her career as a hard talking garage MC as opposed to the sweet singing lady she has become. I for one am glad that she made this transition which has opened up the doors or diversity and caught the attention of many, who in many cases may not have been interested in a garage alternative.
At the age of 21, Miss Dynamite, aka, Naomi Diley from North London, is being hailed as the British alternative to Lauryn Hill, a woman with a message and something positive to say. Her first single, 'It takes More', launched Ms Dynamite into the mainstream spotlight. Her criticism of social ills, struggles and life in deprived areas, demonstrates that not only is Ms Dynamite a pretty face, but that she is also intelligent enough to identify the consequences of social dilemmas. Following on the same trajectory as her first single, 'Put Him Out', looks at domestic violence and abusive relationships with the lyrics, "Your little girl needs a daddy I agree, but the fool is far from that / any boy can be a father, that ain't reason enough to taken him back / he never reads to her or takes her out, that s**t's called neglect you hear / so she's confused inside of always seeing mamma's face draining in tears / look what your showing her by letting him disrespect you, you just growing her to think that it's something that all men do..."
Not to be branded as a social commentator, Ms.Dynamite is a young lady, and in being so, it appears that she has experienced her fairshare of bad relationships. Her time out, to focus on subjects closer to her heart, is delivered well on tracks 7. 'Sick N Tired' and 13. 'Now U Want My Love'.
Indeed, this album is impressive and Ms Dynamite has no hesitancy in being just that little bit more experimental than your average R&B artists. In what can be described as a combination of upbeat soul and reggae influenced tracks, Ms D manages to capture a trade mark sound, that separates herself from her UK counterparts.
Of Ms Dynamites singing voice? Well, It's O.K. Her lyrical content and production is what kept me hooked more than anything else did. That's not saying that she can't sing, because she can, but Alicia Keys, she is not. But enough with the comparisons, all credit to her. She has delivered an album which can be listened to without the requirement of a remote control and I have no doubt that through time, Ms D's singing voice will only get stronger.
With the UK music industry having the tendency to churn out artists and then throw them away quicker than a Mac Donald's hamburger, which hasn't sold within its shelf life, I am sure that Ms Dynamite has the determination, attitude and longevity to take her to heights that Ronald would have difficulties clowning around with.
A fine album.
Favourite Tracks.
2. Dy-na-mi-tee
8. Afraid
2 Fly
12. Now
U Want My Love
Overall Rating: 4 out of 5
Return to Latest Reviews or select review by artist or Soundtrack, A-Z.