One experience the 27-year-old Los Angeles transplant wishes were less complicated was a long-term relationship that ended bitterly and left her a single mom. She draws upon that rocky affair for the single "You'll Never Find (A Better Woman)" -- a.k.a. the "Cat Daddy" song -- featuring rapper Jadakiss as the beau more preoccupied with huggin' blocks than embracing his honey. The Faith Evans–reminiscent vocalist also laments lost love on the horn-accented "No More Tears," where she coos: "Guess I'm just caught between my heart and mind. Wanting it to be good, knowing it's not. Crying all the time, praying that a change is gonna come." But to her credit, Moses is now looking for Mr. Right. "If I want a man to treat me well," she reflects. "I have to make sure not to accept anything less."

Although the former assistant fashion stylist honed her chops belting Teena Marie and Angela Winbush tunes in the shower and writing lyrics to the pulsating beat of Prince's "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker," Moses didn't have enough confidence to pursue a musical career until after her mother's death in 2001. In remembrance of her mom, a former gospel singer, Moses sings the ballad "I Think of You (Shirley's Song)."

Bashful no more, Moses strikes the right chord with her versatile vocals and soul-baring songs. Before her disc's release, two female fans approached Moses and excitedly sang songs they'd heard on a CD sampler. And connecting with an audience is exactly what the natural beauty hoped for.