Stranger on Earth, regular in heaven.. Apr 09 '01    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music The Dirtchamber Sessions, Vol. 1 by The Prodigy From $11 Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 The Bottom Line If you prefer Jill Scott to Destiny's Child you will like this. Lina is one to watch... If you've never heard "Stranger on Earth" the debut album from Atlantic recording artist Lina, let me give you a little glimpse: Close your eyes. Now imagine you're listening to Billie Holliday accompanied by Duke Ellington's Big Band - no real stretch there right? OK, now she's joined by Erykah Badu... and Macy Gray.... and Rodney Jerkins supplying Darkchild beats. Weird? In the wrong hands maybe, but 30 seconds into the first track "Playa no more" it's clear these are experienced hands: Lina is no newcomer to the music scene - she's been a writer for some time, most notably writing for Tyrese. Why am I writing about a US artist signed to a major label in the up-and-coming section? Well, had I not just returned from a trip back home to the UK, I would never have heard of her. The London scene has always been more receptive to innovation so it's no surprise that Atlantic chose to test the waters by releasing the debut album from this Denver born soulstress in Europe. It is nothing short of criminal however, that three months on I can't find this in any New York record store. Don't get me wrong, this album is no masterpiece. It suffers most from mild schizophrenia: some of the tunes are far from innovative and are clearly aimed at reaching the pop end of the R&B market. But whether she's trying to be operatic, soulful, eclectic or "poppy" this girl can sing.

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