On How Life Is
Macy Gray's debut draws heavily on '70s funk traditions to make its progressive-R&B; points. With help from a band including formerRed Hot Chili Peppersguitarist Arik Marshall, she uses her raw yet controlled voice to celebrate sex ("Sexomatic," "Caligula"), God ("I Can't Wait to Meetchu"), and injustice ("I've Committed Murder"). Gray's songwriting doesn't seem fully developed yet, butOn How Life Isis a striking first shot nonetheless.--Rickey Wright