Honey up

"A gifted multi-instrumentalist with a powerful voice, she's become a force, and the world's taken notice ... awards and honors have come fast and furious for the dynamic saxophonist and guitarist, who fuses blues, funk, soul and rock ... Honey Up is a winner on all counts".

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"Collier wears many hats - her sax playing and vocals cut through the mix on every track, and she's no slouch as a bandleader and songwriter ... She's clearly listened to a lot of Maceo Parker's music - his punchy lyricism and bubbly energy find their way into her playing. Collier has an obvious gift for mining the sounds of funk and soul. The tracks on Honey Up that are more grounded in the blues may not have the same infectious energy as the R&B material, but they are still full of first class musicianship ... Collier is a master performer whose music draws from a deep well of influences".

"On "Sweatin' Like A Pig, Singin' Like An Angel"; "Don't Nobody Got Time To Waste", and again on the funky title track, Collier plays as part of a three piece horn section giving these songs a New Orleans styled production. One can't help but wonder how Collier would sound if playing and singing some of those classic New Orleans songs. Also featured are Chavez, Gorman and the fabulous rhythm section of Stevens and Trautmann ... This is another award winning album from Collier whose rise to the top is nothing short of meteoric".

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"Honey Up is a monster! The album showcases Collier's gritty playing, fiery singing, and her burgeoning song-writing prowess. She is footloose, fancy-free and perfectly at ease as she moves deftly from one song to the next. The band is stellar as well ... This is a choice gathering of musicians, and listeners should not miss out on the talent, the feeling, and the music captured and performed here".

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" ... singer/songwriter/saxophonist/guitarist Vanessa Collier can already claim considerable kudos for a career that's still in its seminal stages ... Honey Up is an album that affirms both her craft and credence, thanks to a mix of styles and sounds that underscore her verve and versatility. She veers easily between blues, funk and R&B, making for a seamless transition and cohesive results ... Collier not only shows a real reverence for the roots, but she does so with genuine sass and sophistication. It's even more remarkable that she's solely responsible for writing nine of these ten songs, and that on an initial listen, they already sound like seasoned standards".