Infinite Possibilities

by Derrick MathisGroove Theory may no longer be in existence, but Amel Larrieux, the acts' classy jazz-trained vocalist, is gratefully still in effect. Teaming up with husband Laru Larrieux, who co-produced and wrote most of the songs with Amel, the silky-voiced chanteuse draws from jazz, hip-hop, gospel, and flashes of Middle Eastern influences while never wavering from a laidback, sensuous path. All the while, she calls to mind female jazz greats and contemporary soul eclectics from Billy Holiday to Les Nubians. More concerned with love and spirituality, Amel segues effortlessly from the love themes of "Make Me Whole" and "Even If," to the introspective "I N I" and "Searchin for My Soul," with the jazzy lead single "Get Up" setting the course. "Infinite Possibilities" is definitely the kind of music for which candle-lit dinners were made. As far as Larrieux's future is concerned, the possibilities are indeed, infinite.