Imagine, if you will, the Neville Brothers relocating to Chicago and adding more diverse elements to their music. This parallel will go a little way in describing the sound of Sonia Dada, an 8-piece band from the Windy City. They have just released their third album on Capricorn Records, called "My Secret Life." It is an interesting hybrid of R&B, rock, gospel, and Neville Brethren style vocal harmonies.

The musical styles are varied, and the songs are well-written and catchy. Case in point is the opening number on the album, "Zachary." This is a bouncy funk number with a gospel-tinged sound, and a percussion style that would be at home on Paul Simon's "Graceland" album. The band shifts gears on the second number, cranking out the soulful rock ballad, "Things Change."

The album really starts getting fun with the down-home gospel sounds of "Ain't Life For The Living." This is gospel for the streets featuring a sound that makes the listener want to get up and dance.

One of the changes Sonia Dada made on this album, is the addition of
vocalist Shawn Christopher. She has a sensuous voice, and it is showcased fully on the simply beautiful slow funk of "Don't Go (Givin Your Love Away)." This gives the band, in essence, three lead vocalists, which allows them to achieve some interesting harmonies through the course of the album.

After this, the heat is turned up with the rocked out track "Phases Of The Moon," before going into the compelling story of "Green Eyed Esther," a haunting piece about a lady who's lived too long and seen too much. This track features soulful vocals and a wailing keyboard sound to convey the sense of longing and desperation in her life.

They border on a folk sound with the short but melodic "Get To You," before getting into the bass heavy sound of "Las Vegas Virgin." They then throw yet another curveball with the bluesy ballad "I'm Gone." This is one of the stronger tracks on the album, due primarily to the vocal efforts on it.

This album features a little bit of everything, from the rocking song "Cold" to the funky jazz of "So Sad." Other highlights on the album include the bouncy R&B track "You Don't Love Me Anymore," the mystical groovings of "Would I Lie To You," and the final track on the album, "Paradise." "Paradise" is especially captivating because it once again features the lead vocals of Shawn Christopher.

Sonia Dada has an interesting sound, one that I cannot readily compare to anything else. The songwriting is smart and sophisticated, and the songs themselves are melodic and well-crafted. This particular album features 15 tracks, and though some weren't as strong as others, there are no skippable tracks on the album. I consider this to be a great kick back and drift away album, perfect for relaxing and feeling good to.