TanQueray Hayward [2021] - Definition Of A Woman [TLS Entertainment]

The long anticipated debut album from SoulTracks 'New Artist Of The Year' 2020, TanQueray Howard.

'Definition Of A Woman' is officially released today (26 Mar 2021) and is only available directly from TanQueray's website. TanQueray kindly sent me a preview copy to review. The album features nine tracks including all four singles released to date and 'Reflections' which was released as the latest single today to promote the album.

This is an exceptional debut album with five tracks already featured as singles and, from first listen, there are another two which I would suggest would do well as singles 'Complicated' and 'Standing All Alone'. If your a lover of 'real' soul music then I urge you to buy this album so TanQueray can start work on the next one.

I did a feature on her in January with all her singles up to then and also some videos of live performances.

TanQueray was born and raised, and still lives, in Philadelphia and was named after the gin of the same name, as her mother said she would be 'top shelf'. She performed with a group called Mosaic Flow whose bass player didn't turn up for a gig, so ex Pieces Of A Dream bass player Cedric Napolean stood in and was impressed with her and asked her to become his vocalist. By perfoming with Napoleon she met many seasoned musicians who nurtured her. 

In 2014 she decided to quit her job as a nursing aid in hospital to focus on music. Her first event was opening for gospel artist Marvin Sapp. Four months later she became pregnant with her first child which curbed her activities until recently.

In 2020 producer T.L. Shider (younger brother of Garry Shider of Parliament/Funkadelic) contacted her via facebook and sent her some songs. He re-connected in May 2020 with some more tracks including 'This Thing'. Over the next six weekends she recorded 'This Thing'. 'This Kind Of Love' was recorded in just four hours.

Timothy L. Shider (TLS Entertainment) produced the album and TanQueray wrote all the songs.

Interview with Richie Tee 10 Nov 2020

Richie Tee · Interview with Tanqueray Hayward 10/11/2020

Caught Up

[8B/92]

Released as her fourth single on 22 Jan 2021, which I felt should have done a, little better than it did, but then it did have to compete with the outstanding 'This Kind Of Love'. This is a more uptempo number than her previous releases.

This Kind of Love 

[12B/70]

Her follow-up single to 'This Thing' released just a month afterwards on 21 Sep 2020. What can I say about this track that hasn't already been said. An outstanding deep soul single which topped the UK Soul chart and featured in many 'best of 2020' lists.

This Thing

[8B/94]

Her debut single released 21 Aug 2020 which launched her onto the world stage, sounding very similar to Mary J. Blige on this track.

Single Mom Blues (Be In Her Life)

[9B/123]

The third single, again released only a month after the previous single on 30 Oct 2020.  This one has a 60s throwback feel with female backing support.

Broken Window

[3B/82]

A mid-tempo love break-up ballad with a sax break midway through. TanQueray gets really deep towards the end of the song when her gospel style vocals set in.

Complicated

[2A/85]

Set at about stepper pace, this is another deep and soulful tune, probably my favourite from the album that hasn't already been released as a single.

End Of Never (Feat. TL Shider)

[4B/82/41]

A mellow ballad duet with producer TL Shider.

Reflections 

[8B/69]

The latest single released today to promote the album. It's a mellow love ballad about unrequited love.

Standing All Alone

[4A/85]

On a par with 'Complicated' with a similar feel and tempo. Another deep break-up song.

Details

Rating:	8.7
Genre/Style:	Neo Soul
Format:	Album
Media:	Digital
Label:	TLS Entertainment
Cat No:	None
Year:	2021
Key:	N/A
BPM:	N/A
Value:	$15