Instant Vintage. That's the title of Raphael Saadiq's first solo album. Instant. Vintage. Webster defines vintage as characterized by excellence, maturity, and enduring appeal; classic. This phrase can accurately be applied to Porsche Smith's solo debut About Life....

Smith, a California native, turns out a not so surprisingly vintage album from a surprisingly seasoned young artist. Although cut short at 12 tracks, ...Life feels strangely complete and fulfilling. Smith's smooth alto effortlessly rolls over above average instrumentation and production, guiding the listener intimately through the details of love, spirituality, and family; intimtately through life. The album includes the skills of engineer/producer R. Hylton of Firstborn Productions, as well as collaborations with musician/songwriter L. Petty of Urbanese Music. Smith displays a great feel for the art and her place.

Where most young artists are still trying to find their identity in their music, Smith has settled nicely into hers; yet you get the feeling that she has held back and has more to give. It wont be long before she is mentioned among the great soul singers of her time. Only an instant.