This year, 2011, is definitely shaping up to be Tessanne Chin’s year. The ‘chiney girl with the big voice’ is set to go down the aisle in a few months to wed sportscaster-turned-PR exec, Michael Anthony Cuffe Jr, and she just dropped her debut album, In Between Words.

She gave a select group of family, friends and the media a taste of the tracks from the album which is to be released digitally via the popular outlets iTunes and Amazon.com.

In between the tracks, Tessanne spoke of the journey to completing the project. Described as an extremely difficult and painful process, she noted that there were many times when she felt like giving up. She however expressed joy at being able to finally deliver a product which has been years in the making. “In Between Words represents my past, present and future, and therefore I am just happy to be able to share such a personal journey with you,” she declared.

Tessanne also announced that the album was produced independently of a record label. “When other’s can’t find a place for you, you need to create a place for yourself,” she said, a possible hint at efforts to shop the project to recording labels without success.

At the Kingston launch, which was held at the Liguanea Club, it was a svelte Chin who took to the stage wearing a figure-hugging little white number with knee-high boots. She gave those gathered quite an earful as she dropped tracks from In Between Words, her booming voice filling the night air.

Known for that eclectic mix of rock, reggae and dancehall that produces that hybrid known as… Tessanne, the album gives those who have followed her since her days as the vocalist for the rock band, Mile High, as well as new fans a taste of everything.

The track listing includes the runaway hit Hideaway, which, more than three years after its release, continues to generate an extremely warm reception whenever it is heard. Other favourites on the album are Messenger and Loving You featuring Trinidadian Singer Kes, as well as Flying High, The Right One, Are Yah Gonna, The Fall, Who — which is to be the first single, as well as the duet, You and Me with her big sister, fellow recording artiste Tami Chynn. When the sisters performed this single, the tight bond which seems to exist between the two was all-too apparent as they both became teary-eyed.

According to Tessanne, “There’s no limit for me, I was born to do what I am doing now, and just the fact that I’m able to be having a career in music and doing what I love everyday… is for me in a sense success, and yes… a dream come true.”

(Photos: Jermaine Barnaby)