Broadway diva Headley shows R&B potential

Crossover acts have always been present in the entertainment industry. Musicians like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, Mandy Moore and Britney Spears have all dabbled with acting, resulting in fluctuating degrees of success.\nRecently, actors have realized their musical talent (or lack thereof), using their Hollywood success to establish a musical career. Take, for example, comedian Jack Black (of Tenacious D) or more recently, Jennifer Love Hewitt.\nHeather Headley takes "crossing over" to a whole new level with the release of This Is Who I Am. Already a Tony Award-winning actress for her performance in the title role in Elton John and Tim Rice's "Aida," Headley transitions into the over-crowded R&B genre.\nShe exhibits great range as an artist with her ability to groove with the likes of Deborah Cox while belting out the occasional Broadway show tune.\nThe first single, "He Is," a powerful jam boasting Headley's powerhouse voice (especially in the chorus), is truly the stand-out track on the album. Headley shows both submissiveness and strength, singing about the man in her life. While lyrics like, "He is / the baby conceiver, the make-me-believe / the hard knocks-knower" are sometimes laughable, it's the soul in Headley's voice that connects with the listener.\nThe only thing wrong with "Fallin' For You" is Chukki Starr's out-of-place Jamaican-rap, sporadically inserted throughout the track. While the lyrics here are a little bit too "Kum-ba-yah" for me ("Boy the things that you do make me feel like I'm one with the world..."), the catchy chorus and fast-moving beat redeem the song in the end.\nIn the ballad "Always Been Your Girl," Headley collaborates with R&B and dance-remix diva Deborah Cox. Bizarre and oftentimes clichéd lyrics hold up this track (co-written by Cox), though the two "knock 'em dead" voices wail with emotion.\n"If It Wasn't For Your Love" is one track reminiscent of a Broadway love song, filled with clichéd, "American Idol"-ridden lyrics. If it wasn't for Headley's vocal combination of tenderness and strength, I'd have to puke.\nAwkward lyrics seem to run rampant throughout This Is Who I Am, but if you are listening for Headley's voice, maybe you can overcome that awkwardness. For those of you who adored Headley in Broadway's "The Lion King" and "Aida," only buy this disc if you also like R&B, because folks, it's a completely different sound.