The welcome return of Amerie / Ameriie

Remember Amerie? Probably not. It's been a while.

One of the greatest singers in modern R&B, she has a formidable roar with a raspy undertone that's equally capable of capturing the freewheeling rush of falling in love, and the aching, down-on-your-knees pain of separation. It doesn't hurt that she's also quite easy on the eye.

If you know her at all, it's for 1 Thing, a joyous clattering dance track that sold millions in 2005.


That was followed by 2007's Because I Love It, a candy-coloured collision of 80s funk and retro soul which produced the irresistible Cee-Lo collaboration Take Control.


In the intervening seven years, the Washington native has had her fair share record label troubles, got married and had an extra "i" surgically attached to her name.

Now she's back with a potentially massive new single. What I Want takes one of the most sampled records of all time - Apache by the Incredible Bongo Band - and retools it as a soul sister testimony.

Granted, it's not the most original idea in the world but, like I said, Ameriie's voice could convince you a takeaway menu was the New Testament. Pin your ears back and have a listen.

Ameriie - What I Want

No word on a release date yet, but Ameriie is visiting the UK later this week - and she's helpfully sent over a new photo of her throttling an unsuspecting microphone. Nice trousers.

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