So folks, the time has rolled around yet again for me to invest in new music for all my gal pals' birthdays coming up, and I need help! What female soul singers are you listening to who generally go unsung today, and fly under today's mainstream radar, but have heavy rotation in your music player? They can be throwback singers from times past with their latest releases, or they can be a younger/newer crop of chanteuses ( we often refer to as alternative or neo-soul singers) from the last few years making solid, organic music for your ears . Please feel free to post photos, videos, articles, anything to give us a taste of what female soul artist is bumping in your music player these days: the only restriction? None of these mainstream chart chicks- it ain't that kinda party Other than that, show me what'cha got

I'll start... ready set, go:

Neo-soul Interpretess Mara Hruby

Background voice to the A-List legends, introducing her own wonderful indie cd; Bridgette Bryant

*Say you’re a gifted vocalist who has backed artists as great and diverse as Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Phil Collins, Will Downing, Gary Taylor and Mary Mary, among others. What do you do for an encore?

If you’re honey voiced singer/songwriter Bridgette Bryant, you do your own thing, of course. Soulmate Collection, Bryant’s indy debut (www.bridgettebryant.com), is a soulful, elegant affair with a bohemian streak occasionally reminiscent of the crème de la crème of mid 1970s progressive soul.

For example, Bryant’s playful, organic-sounding “Earth Keeps Spinnin,’” effectively channels Stevie Wonder’s ’70s folky soul moments (think Wonder’s “Happier Than the Morning Sun” or “Girl Blue”), while she tears up the Emotions soul chestnut, “Key To My Heart.”

But then, the multifaceted Bryant is equally at home with the sassy, Brazilian-tinged “There Is Love” and the wistful, ethereal ballad, “When You Went Away” as she is during the downright erotic “Touch Me Again” and the euphoric, head-bobbing “So High.” Tender yet sneakily puissant, Bryant’s tangy voice sounds capable of singing anything.

Producer Tracy Carter, Bryant’s skilled, imaginative cohort, from his keyboard writes, arranges and makes wonderfully seamless work of a collection that includes no less than traditional gospel: Bryant’s powerful, moving reading of “Rolling River God was recorded live before an audience.

The Bryant/Carter collaboration is at its apex during the yearning “Soft Place,” a deliciously chordy, humping ballad that will have you lighting up the incense and simply making yourself at home in Bryant’s boutique of sassy, sexy soul.

Bridgette Bryant,
Soulmate Collection
www.bridgettebryant.com

and...I just started checking this out, but am having some trouble embracing it because the first single I heard off of it is auto-tuned to death, and sounds like watered down crossover r&b (and I've liked Vivian ever since I met her when she was singing behind Jill Scott, so I don't know if I'm shocked or disappointed with the single or what).

Now, help a Sista out: TAG, you're it!

[Edited 10/24/12 13:06pm]

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King

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Georgia Anne Muldrow

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Emily King

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Ledisi Think Of You

Adriana Evans Calling Me

Jampoet Could You Be My Love

Goapele Too Much the Same & Butterflykisses