If we hadn’t known any better, it might have been assumed that this album might have been produced from anywhere between 1967 and 1973 in one of the finest studios that the world has to offer. Evonne Rivera’s debut album, What If, released on her own Independent Record Label, Sweet Bottom Records, defies all preconceptions and lays the Soul on thick atop a hearty selection of Blues, Jazz & Gospel originals along with a couple tremendous covers of the aforementioned era. 

This Singer/Songwriter blows the roof off of the house with her powerful, emancipating and sultry vocal style that never ceases to keep the listener intertwined in the emotion that was obviously felt at the time each and every song came into being. Along with the help of such greats as (drummer) Gerry Brown (Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Diana Ross) & bass player C.C. Thomas Jr. (Babyface, Diana Ross, Smokey Robinson), Evonne Rivera has released a miracle into the world that can be considered nothing short of a dream-come-true for an artist’s aspirations for their debut record.

 Starting the album off, we are invited into the personal love life of the heated relationships that are mentioned in “Water & Fire” and “Scent,” while maintaining our sense of individuality and empowerment of self on “Freedom,” which not only allows Evonne’s emotionally-fueled vocals soar to their full potential, but also sets the brass section free to do what it is that they undoubtedly do best in this world!

Evonne is also credited as the sole writer on the fourth song, “Jaded,” which focuses intently on love, life & relationships and tells a story of a woman who lives her life doing things her own way, only to continually end up at the end of the day with a broken heart, but not before she finds what very well could end up being the love of her life!

As we move through the mid-section of What If, Evonne raises the bar by allowing the lower range of her vocals to come through on “Old Wounds,” which sees this ‘lyrical tigress’ out on the prowl seeking her prey in the listener. Shortly following, a much-deserving tribute is paid with a new rendition of the 1967 classic “I Shall Be Released,” as written by Bob Dylan and originally performed by The Band. Evonne’s captivating version focuses on the deep emotion felt throughout that made this song such a hit in the late 60’s, while staying true to Bob’s songwriting style we see the trade-in of the harmonica for a B3 organ and the acoustic guitar for glimmering electrics.

Before we close out our 40 minute journey through aural bliss, we are treated to another masterfully selected and performed cover, Billie Holiday’s “Stormy Blues,” which stays true to the style and emotion of the album and boasts such soul-tearing lines as “I’ve been down so long that down don’t worry me.” Truthfully I couldn’t imagine a finer blues song for Evonne to sing, and it is quite refreshing to hear such classics revamped for today’s listener, as we owe much respect to the greats that have come before us... ...and it is somewhat difficult to know where we’re going without knowing where we’ve been!

Sadly, it is true that all things in this world must have a beginning and an end, and in this case the end speaks of a new beginning in the 70’s soul-infused song about a mother and daughter titled, “Unsteady.” This ballad is tender in delivery and shows a great contrast between the joy and uncertainty of the mother, at the same time bringing to light a realistic situation of a single mother who is working as hard as possible to create a better life for her child. It seems as though there are times we’re given the greatest of gifts (even when we feel that we are not deserving of them), and it is at this point when we decide to make the changes necessary to become better human beings and adhere to the responsibilities we’ve chosen—Evonne, you’ve definitely made the right choice!
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- “What If” from Evonne Rivera is an adult contemporary album that has oodles of introspective tracks about shunned love and womanly independence. Rivera’s voice has strength, and listeners will be left vulnerable against her potent charm and exuberance. 

The first track has meditative organ and piano work. Rivera’s cool, collected timbre is seductive as she recites a narrative about two people meeting, the love story that followed -- complete with hot and passionate moments. “He looked. She looked…They fell. He came, she ran in her heart she could tell. He danced. She watched, he invited her in. She ventured. He kissed her and then it began. They went on to play a game…Stirrin’ up passion. Water and fire.” 

The second track has what sounds like saxophone play along with keyboard work, which makes for a sensually smooth jazz rhythm. Rivera then talks about washing away recollections of her man, having a good time with her friends, and forgetting her romantic disturbances. “Washed my sheets. Washed my clothes from the scent of his cigar. Took a day off to let go. Be alone, be alone some place far. Went out all night with my friends.” It seems Rivera needs to elude the image and thoughts about her partner, and she accomplishes that by surrounding herself with close companions and going out on the town. 

The third track has silky percussion play and strong piano work. Rivera’s radiant vocals open the song, which is about fleeing a place she hates. “I’m gonna pack our bags. Get the h*ll our of this town just wash the car and got a full tank of gas…Freedom, freedom, freedom to do your thing. Freedom, freedom, freedom we can do anything. Freedom, freedom, freedom to do your thing. Freedom, freedom, freedom we can do anything. When I was a single mom, they said settle down give up them dreams…But I keep hearin’ what my dad once said to me, he said, ‘Girl. just put your heart and soul and you’ll achieve it’” This is a fabulous empowerment song for women who have undergone tough times in their lives, and Rivera shouts for them not to let go of their fantasies and go for it. Her voice holds such resilience and self-assuredness that listeners, especially female ones are bound to feel the same. 

Evonne Rivera’s “What If” has tracks that speak to listener's lives. Rivera’s timbre goes from laid-back to strapping, which will entice listeners to think “What if?” 

Reviewer: Sari N. Kent  
Reviewer's Rating: 9
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Evonne Rivera might have been born 100 years too late. Listening to What If, Ms. Rivera’s debut on her own Sweet Bottom Records label, I got the feeling I should have been planted on a bar stool in some smoky, dimly lit, prohibition-era little dive where everyone speaks in whispers and there is a dame in a slinky red dress with a slit up to her thigh leaning against a baby grand piano while a guy with garters on his sleeves is tickling the keys. These are crying in your whiskey songs, about broken hearts and broken vows; love and lust; degradation and redemption, sung with conviction and experience that is only slightly jaded.

Ms. Rivera possesses a formidable set of pipes, and displays an easy, natural ability to wrap her vocals around a tune and either caress it lovingly, or throttle it into humble submission. “Old Wounds” and “I Shall Be Released” are twin examples of her remarkable emotional range. She makes that transition from Vampy Vixen to Virtuous Virgin without so much as a blush. “Stormy Blues” effectively showcases her command of the blues language, while “Unsteady” reveals the softer side of this jazz singer.

What If borders on the autobiographical, which makes the emotions all the more poignant. This is a great project for small gatherings of intimate friends with wine and cheese. Or maybe for a small dimly lit dive with a spotlight on the piano, and there is a woman in a slinky red dress…
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