• The next best thing to classic soul.

It’s been three years since R&B singer Divine Brown tore up the Canadian charts with her rock-steady summertime hit “Old School Love.” Winning over audiences and musicians alike with her feel-good groves and impressive five-octave range, this enchanting chanteuse can enthrall everyone from jazz enthusiasts to urban pop acolytes. Her latest effort is a 12-chapter love letter to the music of her youth, including funk, soul, hip hop, blues, disco and, of course, R&B.

Buoyed by slick instrumental arrangements, dance-worthy beats and gorgeous vocal harmonies, The Love Chronicles faithfully traces the evolution of soul music through the decades. Divine’s talent and passion take centre stage as she pays tribute to idols such as Anita Baker and Tina Turner on cuts like the super sexy “Next Best Thing” and the feisty “Meet Me at the Roxy.” Heating things up for the finale, she effectively channels Donna Summers for the glitzy but undeniably fun “Boogie Slide.”