Jocelyn Medina's 'We Are Water' album review [VIDEO]

Jocelyn Medina’s album, We Are Water, is a culmination of international sounds and genres. The music is soulful, funky, compelling, and rich.

Medina studied opera at Stanford University, which explains how rich her voice is and her ability to control it to paint lyrical pictures for her listener’s to imagine. Growing up surrounded by music, it is no surprise that Medina knows how to make music addictive and how to compel her listeners to keep their headphones on and the volume turned up.

After studying opera at Stanford, Medina pursued a love for jazz at the Berklee College of Music. She left Berklee with a degree in Professional Music and then went on to earn a Master’s degree in vocal jazz performance at the Manhattan School of Music. Medina has performed from coast to coast in the states and has been a part of several ensemble groups.

We Are Water is Medina’s second album, released in June of 2011. There are 11 tracks on the album, with the longest being a little over eight minutes long and the shortest being four minutes and 55 seconds. As you can see, the tracks are definitely on the long side. However, it gives ample listening time to soak in Medina’s incredible vocal richness.

A favorite track would be a challenge to pick from this album. However, there are a few I prefer over others. “Cosmic” is an outstanding song performed by Medina. This song is jam-packed with amazing vocals, flair, and funk. This track is unlike anything I have heard in some time. It’s simply fun. “My First Love Song” is another favorite track on this album. Medina’s voice is tender, soothing, and, not to mention, romantic. The lyrics are a product of Medina’s unmatched skill.

Overall, the album is superb. There are some track that are closer to a jazz standard, but then there are unexpected songs like “Cosmic” that keep the listeners captivated.

Here’s a video of Medina performing “Cosmic”: