Artist:  Fantasia
Title:  Back to Me
Label:  J Records

When Fantasia is in classic R&B mode, that's when she shines brightest …

In the same way that Michael Jackson fans were probably searching for clues that may have led to his untimely passing in 2009 by watching This Is It on the big screen, those who love singer Fantasia Barrino, who recently attempted suicide because she "just wanted out," also won't find much insight into her fragile psyche by listening to Back to Me.

After all, like any proper diva with a powerful set of pipes, Fantasia puts her most confident, I'm-every-woman foot forward. Like Aretha, Diana and Mary J. Blige before her, the American Idol winner demands R-E-S-P-E-C-T from the get-go with the arresting "I'm Doin' Me" where she proclaims, "You know sometimes you have to put yourself first."

But as anyone who's watched Fantasia's VH1 reality show, Fantasia for Real, already knows, her life is hardly carefree. That fact withstanding, there's few signs of her discontent in the music, save for the decidedly bittersweet track "The Thrill Is Gone." Instead, listeners are treated to a sophisticated selection of R&B gems that are tailor-made for her powerful voice.

While the songs themselves are largely memorable in their vocal delivery, the album's production value is rather hit and miss, especially when modern sounds and synthetic beats make their way in.

Teaming up with a varied list of collaborators including Ne-Yo, Cee-Lo, Rico Love, Jim Jonsin and Claude Kelly, Fantasia inevitably shines the brightest when she's in musical throwback mode on standout lead single "Bittersweet," the snappy "Collard Green and Cornbread" and "Teach Me," a sultry list of promises to a future suitor.

Yet in what's ultimately a testament to her artistry, middle of the road tracks that sound like Beyoncé's leftovers like "Falling in Love Tonight" and "Even Angels" still sound fantastic.

One can only hope that the faith she's openly talked about in the past, along with the support of close friends and family and these upbeat songs will continue to encourage Fantasia as she moves forward, because it would be so sad to lose yet another artist who is this talented.


**This review first published on September 10, 2010.