Hypnotized
In an era when dance artists are relying heavily on synthesized and sample-based music, it’s refreshing to hear the warmer, more soulful sounds of classically trained vocalist.Hypnotizedfocuses heavily on house music, featuring an impressive roster of house producers (JT Donaldson, Chris Penny, Tim Shumaker), but also a number of down-tempo and broken-beat tracks that keep the album interesting.  Tracks like "Joy and Pain" and "Smile for Me" provide aching vocals and sweet melodies, reminiscent of label-mate Soulstice.  The house tracks also offer a variety of sounds, from the dark, 80s pop groove of "What’s Wrong" to the  funky vibe of "What You Want."The breadth and quality ofHypnotizeis a clear testament to Colette’s many talents. This effort blends the organic with the electronic, gives a respectful nod to pop music, and avoids the cheesy clichés that sometimes characterize vocal projects.   --Anish Acharya