Turn the Heat Up
Despite the growing number of young blues musicians who've come out of the  woodwork recently, it's still extremely rare to find even one with the fire and power of previous  generations. Shemekia Copeland is that rarity; recorded when Copeland was 18 years old,Turn the Heat Upshows the power and maturity of a much older artist. This maturity is  enough to make Copeland's debut exceptional in itself. But if Copeland's singing doesn't quite  match, say, Koko Taylor's, she shows a potential in that regard that is almost daunting,  especially on the more up-tempo songs such as "Your Mama's Talking." "Has  Anybody Seen My Man?" and the title track are excellent examples of Copeland's talent;  supported by an excellent backing band, she shines. And unlike many younger artists, she infuses  slower songs like "Married to the Blues" and "Ghetto Child" with a raw,  no-frills power that leaves no room for sappiness or sentimentality. A very impressive debut  from a singer who must be ranked among the genre's finest artists. --Genevieve Williams