Album Review: Algebra - Purpose

In the world of mathematics, one of the purposes of algebra is to eliminate unnecessary details and describe what is going on with regard to patterns that happen over and over. And in the world of music, apparently Algebra can mean the exact same thing. On her debut album, Purpose, Algebra Blessett uses her songs to portray elements of life and relationships that have happened over and over again since the dawn of man, but like the mathematical formula she gets her name from, there's no unnecessary stuff as Algebra delivers some very poetic and to-the-point new-school soul/R&B songs that add up to a good listen.

Like A Diary

Algebra's Purpose, which was released on Feb. 26, 2008 by Kedar Entertainment, is almost like a diary set to music, it's songs are so deeply personal and yet open and confessional in nature. One of the prime examples of this is (the presumably fictional) "I Think I Love U," in which Algebra (yes, that's her real name) confesses to being in love with someone. "We've been friends for quite some time and now I see you differently/There's a cloudy picture that's becoming clearer to me ... " she sings, I think I love you/And I want everybody that we know to know just how you make me feel."

Two other extraordinary songs are the heartbreaking unplanned pregnancy story "Simple Complication" and the old-school Soul meets old-school hip-hop track "Halfway," in which Algebra implores a lover to put as much into the relationship as she has: "See, I live you, breathe you, love you, need you, couldn't see you lovin' anyone but me, baby-baby can't you see that you are the song I sing," the opening lyrics go. "I've given all I've got, I'm jumpin' all your hurdles, I'm gettin' nothin' back."

Uncanny Resemblance

Production-wise, the music isn't particularly groundbreaking, but it is organic (meaning it doesn't sound too mechanical), and doesn't sound out of date. In fact, the sounds are sophisticated yet hip at the same time. Likewise, the singing is on point on every song and Algebra can literally make the listener feel the emotions she's trying to convey on each song.

The one big drawback here is Algebra's uncanny vocal resemblance to another Atlanta-area singer: India.Arie. At least half a dozen songs here sound very close to India.Arie in terms of vocal style. It's obvious that India played a very big part in influencing Algebra, and there's plenty of moments on Purpose where Algebra sounds like a younger, less-polished version of India. Although this can be distracting, it's not necessarily a bad thing in terms of album quality. But it's probably a safe bet that on future albums, Algebra will incorporate a more of a distinctive vocal identity into her curriculum, as opposed to inadvertently reminding people of someone else.