We are taught from a young age to “never judge a book by its cover,” but that was exactly what I did in 2001 when copies of Res’ debut album How I Do began arriving at my Brooklyn garret that spring. Glancing at the innocent black and white photo taken by the usually provocative Ellen Von Unwerth, who has shot sexy snaps of Janet Jackson,Joi and Beyoncé, one sees a pretty-faced woman innocently looking over her shoulder as though being followed. In retrospect, the cover conveys a cinematic quality that was hauntingly beautiful, but at the time, I just thought it was boring. Automatically assuming what I perceived to be a lackluster image was reflective of the material within, I simply rejected Res based on that silly speculation.

Four months later, while visiting a friend at the World Wide Plaza offices of Def Jam Records, I heard some splendid songs blaring from a neighboring office and inquired with the oft-asked music aficionado question, “Who is that?” As the chilling “Ice King” dripped out of the speakers like hot honey, I stood in the doorway transfixed by one of the most hypnotic voices I’d heard in a long time singing playfully brutal lyrics (“Although I’ve seen your wickedness, I still love your effervescence”) over a head-nodding bassline. Awestruck, it was as if I was listening to a cool urban angel singing songs of red valentine romance and dark clouded break-ups.

“It’s Res,” the woman answered, holding up the CD case. “You don’t know about Res?” Rushing home afterwards, I cracked open the cellophane on one of the three Res advances I’d thrown in the corner, fired up a blunt and went sailing down to paradise like a smoked-out Christopher Cross. Unfortunately, I wasn’t alone in my ignorance concerning the sonic specialness of How I Do, an album that was hailed by critics, whose singles “Golden Boys” and “They-Say Vision” were played on MTV, but still somehow flew over the heads of the general public.

http://www.soulhead.com/2...s-how-i-do

I love this album! It's a shame as you say that it didn't pick up. Doc McKinney's production was amazing too.

Did you hear Res's 'Refried Mac' EP from a couple of years ago? Again, well worth anyone's time.

I have this album, but haven't listened to it in years. Didn't know she released anything else

it was brilliant. Slept on is right. Criminal...

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I wish she'd been more prolific but I know that's not all on her. She really was ahead of the curve.

I also love this track . . .

namepeace said:

I wish she'd been more prolific but I know that's not all on her. She really was ahead of the curve.

I also love this track . . .

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Cool track. The hook reminds me of Wham's "Everything She Wants".

So she isn't on the trademarked award shows... so what who cares. Yea it'd be nice, but instead we got the amazing Black.Girls.Rock! album, as well as Refried Mac. She was in Idle Warship with Talib (she's also on his solo track Beneath The Surface). Res performs frequently in the tri-state, check out her social media.

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The pedal steel guitar in "They Say" is beautiful.

Her debut was one of my favorites back in the day
Black.Girls.Rock. was good, but I didn't play it nearly as much. I liked the Idle Warship album she collaborated on a lot. Surprised more people didn't seem to know about that since Talib Kweli has a pretty big following.