

His latest offering, "The Kid from the Bridge" picks right up where those two left off. He returned with his sophomore album in 2003, "Only The Strong (Survives)", again in 2004 with "On The Grind" and most recently his two Traffic Entertainment ventures entitled "The Stick Up Kid" and "The Co-Defendants". Nevertheless, many consider it a classic. His 1996 debut album, "Episodes of a Hustler", was released during a period of incarceration for the infamous Big Noyd.

First getting shine way back in 1993 on Mobb Deep's debut album "Juvenile Hell", Noyd continued to make show stopping appearances on nearly every following Mobb Deep album. It's just sophisticated soul at it's most eclectic.īy far one of the finest soul albums out this year, grab it!Ī member of the tight-knit Mobb Deep family, Big Noyd has been a Queensbridge legend since his opening line on the Mobb's song "Give Up The Goods (Just Step)". There may be contradictions in some of the lyrical content of the songs but there is absolutely no contradictions to be heard in the music. Yet know matter what the genre it is all linked together by the ability to structure tunes that have a lasting melody that will continue to linger in your head for many days after playing them. There is funk in 'You can do it' latin in 'Free,' RnB in 'Stay Together' and soul in 'Matter of fact' The ability to create songs of this quality which also have the knack of being instantly memorable is extremely rare and is enhanced by the new beats and samples of producer Benny Sings. On the slow and instantly catchy ballad 'Melancholic You' Giovanca sounds very much like Minnie Ripperton in both voice, phrasing and production and to prove that this is not a fluke the fullness of her voice becomes even more like Ripperton in the following track the delightful 'Pure Bliss'. Produced by blue-eyed soul boy Benny Sings and released on the strong dutch independent Dox record label the whole album is full of tunes that have huge hit potential if it wasn't for the fact that they ooze class out of every note. Around since March in Europe this is a stunning debut of fresh, feel good soulful and jazzy tunes. This fine debut album from Amsterdam based singer-songwriter Giovanca Ostiana has been a long time coming as the lady who also just happens to be an actress, fashion model and MTV presenter has been too busy! Still, it has been well worth the wait. Shitloads of links for easily my best album of 08'
