In one performance, California-born, New York-based vocalist Shayna Steele unleashed enough voltage to light up the West End.
-Matt Pannell, London Jazz News
"Steele's confidence and showmanship are commendable, and proves through this collection of catchy, spirited songs, it's only a matter of time before she fully rises."
– Rachel Weiss, Elmore Magazine
"Based around Shayna Steele's big voice and a repeated piano figure, this nearly eight-minute track ("Gone Under") from her new album, Rise, builds to a peak and tapers off with a jazzy, seemingly-improvised outro."
- Chris Steffen, All Music
"Steele's big voice is let off its reigns, ending with the sort of gospel like force that cleanses the soul."
- Backseatmafia.com
"There are all kinds of everything on the 11 tracker but the unity comes from Ms. Steele's ever expressive vocals and the quality of the material – all the lady's own creations are proper 'song-led' tunes – not sketches, skits or simple grooves - while the selected covers offer the same level of quality."
- SoulandJazzandFunk.com
"Steele's range, versatility and varied influences – from jazz to gospel, soul and folk – encapsulates all of the possibility brimming from the American musical canon according to the highs and lows of her powerhouse vocal."
- Okayplayer
"Featuring pedal steel guitarist Robert Randolph - from the funk/soul collective Robert Randolph and the Family Band - ("Wear Me Down") is a bluesy throwback full of sass thanks to Steele's dynamite vocals and on-screen personality."
- Singersroom
"Singer Shayna Steele's soothing, folksy brand of jazz-tinged R&B is something that we've come to enjoy here."
- Soul Bounce