Sometimes as men, we struggle to understand and accept the roles we’re supposed to play in the lives of the women we know. Sometimes, if we have a special connection with someone of the opposite sex, we often have a tendency to wanna become Superman or Superhuman. We want to make up for every ex-boyfriend, father, brother, or any crucial male figure that hurt the woman we currently have a bond with, only to fail miserably and be added to the list of gross disappointments. In the case of the woman who was molested by her family and friends as described in the Lady Chosen track called “Stolen Innocence” feat. Monique Welch, you may need to be that woman’s brother, instead of a lover for a season. You might be just the guy to encourage your sisters to overcome the physical insecurities that society thrusts upon them, detailed in songs like “Mirror, Mirror, Perfect Imperfections” and “Skin Deep.” Mahogany and I have had our share of deep conversations in our decade long friendship, but that one we had in the summer of 2013 was especially pivotal during a time when I was struggling with making an assured decision about the woman I knew deep down I wanted to pursue. She described me as one who has a sincere and caring, yet flawed, heart for women in general, but she strongly reminded me that I have to seek God even more than ever. To know and commit to the roles I’m supposed to play in the lives of all the sisters I knew, and don’t let my desire for a mate confuse me. Needless to say, Mahogany’s counsel was dead on, and I ended up making the right decision. The moment honestly reminds me Japhia Life’s verse on the super smooth “Virtuous,” right down to the Mahogany Jones co-sign ‘Lifey’ mentions in his lyrics.
So as you can see, PURE: Volume 1 isn’t just another compilation album of throwaway tracks and halfway committed concepts that were undercooked or barely executed. This LP that Mahogany and her community of creatives have presented to us isn’t just an amazing record full of sophisticated production courtesy of I-RONIC-LEE, HERB MIDDLETON, MIDI MAFIA, and Grammy Award winner J.R., to name a few, or vocal acrobatics from Ozara Ode, Dre Marshall, Gwenation, Insite The Riot, or K-Drama. PURE, Volume 1 is Mahogany Jones using her own voice and the voices of her collaborators to translate her real life experiences as a Christian and as a woman into a universal language that anyone could benefit from, relate to, be healed by, and see themselves in. Artists this raw, this focused, and this committed to God and their art, are a rare commodity. Get familiar and appreciate what God is doing through them on and off the stage while they’re still among us on this earth.
Thank you for this review. It is spot on, the concept score should have been at least a 9 but it’s cool lol. Great review!