**Introduction**

I had heard of Melanie Fiona for a while before I actually decided to listen to some of her music to see what I thought of her. When I listened to her I liked what I heard, she had an impressive voice and I was looking forward to hearing more from her so I downloaded a couple of tracks then decided to get her album too. A bit about her, she hails from Toronto, Canada and made her music entrance in 2007 but it wasn't until 2009 that she had recorded and released an album which is the subject of my review "The Bridge".

**The Bridge**

The album was released on 26th June 2009 and was recorded over the 2008/09 period. "The Bridge" features thirteen songs with a mixture of soul, R&B, neo soul, reggae and hip hop music with a pop twist. Fiona worked on the album with amongst others Andrea Martin, Vada Nobles, Future Cut and finally Stereotypes, there were a few other lesser known producers who worked with her on the album. The album was released on the SRC/Universal Motown record label.

1.) Give it to me right

This is a smoky soul ballad throwing down the ultimatum to a partner who isn't treating her well enough, Fiona sings "Give it to me right or don't give it to me at all". This is a good message for anyone who isn't treating that someone quite as they should. Fiona's vocals are excellent here with some very nice soulful vocals which are backed by some excellent bluesy guitar work which really adds to the emotion of the song. This gets things off to a great start.

2.) Bang, Bang

This is a catchy track which has a more up tempo feel than the opener, It's a little too much like Girls Aloud for my liking, It's a decent track but isn't as focused as the best tracks on the album and therefore loses some star power compared to the best. Not a bad track and it still shows a decent vocal from Melanie Fiona but it just doesn't have that progression that I feel was needed for this track to hit the heights of the best tracks on the album.

3.) Monday Morning

This is a very catchy mid tempo track with laid back vocals mixed with a pacy melody which works well, I see this track as a decent crowd participation track with fans singing the chorus along with her. Her vocals are well performed and the music is of a toe tapping nature. This is a decent track and gets the album back on track with an improved standard from the previous track. Some catchy parts here.

4.) Please Don't go (Cry Baby)

This is a catchy Pop soul track which has a shuffling old school soul melody and some laid back vocals. I don't think the music fits with the sentiment of the song, It's too chirpy for the subject of the song which is about pleading with someone not to leave you. Should have been emotive but it doesn't have that spark so it's a little disappointing. Not a bad track as such but a little unfocused and it doesn't fit with the emotion of the actual subject.

5.) Ay Yo

This is a soulful ballad which decent percussion and gentle guitars, Melanie's vocals shine on this mellow track which has a hint of Reggae. I like the way that this track progresses with some catchy music and Melanie Fiona's vocals combine well with the music to create a nice feel. She showcases the range of her voice towards the end with a soaring vocal and then some more powerful flowing vocals. Good stuff if a little unfocused.

6.) Walk On By

This is an excellent ballad, It's sound is steeped in old soul with a new catchy twist. Her vocals are strong and fluid on this track about telling someone to leave when you have had enough of them. This is a different track from the well known song of the same name. Melanie Fiona's vocals are confident and expressive on this decent track which has backing which reminds me of Destiny's Child in the way they are set up.

7.) You stop my heart

Here she sounds a little like Jordin Sparks, the military like drum beat works well with the choir like backing vocals. The track is about when you meet someone who makes your heart skip a beat when you fall in love with them. This is a really well produced track which shows what talent Melanie Fiona has. It's a pretty decent track which works well.

8.) Johnny

This is an extremely catchy up tempo track which interestingly has a Lady Gaga meets Plan B feel. Melanie Fiona's vocals are fluid and the music is very melodic. The track is about a guy "Johnny" who she can't get over after a relationship ends. It could be a great track but it's lost in a decent melody and doesn't have that emotive spark that it should. too much on the catchiness of the music and not the emotive feel.

9.) Sad Songs

Here she sounds a little like Jazmine Sullivan but she doesn't live up to Sullivan's vocals. This is a decent track about when you hear songs which remind you of times with your ex and it brings the feelings back that you felt one day. This track is one of the better tracks on the album and has a nice feel which has elements of pop, reggae and soul.

10.) Priceless

This is the one of the best tracks on the album, It starts with a dark piano sound then the shuffling beat and percussion comes in. Melanie Fiona's vocals are suitably emotive on this track and the gentle guitar works really well to keep the emotive feel here. The sentiment of the track is about giving yourself over to someone when you are in a relationship and share your feelings with them. I like the way this track moves throughout the verses and it ends pretty well.

11.) It Kills Me

Arguably the best track on the album this is a laid back ballad with some lovely strings in the background and some laid back beats. The track is about when you feel you love someone too much who may not be right for you and you can't let go. She deals well with the emotion here with strong vocals and the backing vocals are excellent too. This is easily one of the best if not the best track on the album. Good stuff.

12.) Teach Him

This is a soulful ballad with gentle Spanish guitar and Melanie Fiona's expressive vocals are a highlight of the song, the strings and gentle percussion build the song well and the track is about molding your relationship with someone by telling your partner how you want to be treated. This is the most stripped down track on the album and also one of the best, It shows what she has vocally and the arrangement really works well.

13.) G.A.M

This is the final track on the album and is a catchy return to the more up tempo openers of this album. The letters translate to "Grown ass man". The track is about wanting a real Man and not some immature so and so. haha. This is not as good a track as the previous couple but ends the track on a decent note with a really catchy vibe.

**Overall**

Melanie Fiona certainly has a decent voice but do her tracks live up to her vocal ability? Well no not entirely. There are some very good tracks here but they are few and far between. most are just decent and it's only in the final third of the album where you get the best tracks here. I have yet to give her second album a listen but on this evidence she must do a lot better if she is going to continue to have a very successful Music career and get the plaudits of her contemporaries. Nice voice but not a Polished artist. I will give the album three stars.