Life and Soul Reviews and New Releases

New Link for future posts

2008-11-09T04:32:00.001-08:00

I am slowly migrating my sites to te link below to tidy them up and keep them all in one place. Please go to the following link for future postings

http://mikeashley.wordpress.com/

The best way to use the new site is to go to the category index on the side panel. This then shows the posts under that category, rather than simply listing all postings chronologically.

The main categories thus far are:-

Independent Soul News

Reviews and New Releases

New York Indie Soul Mixer Official Site

Soul Freedom, the portal for our gigs and radio appearances

Mike Ashley, more personal ramblings from me, the author.

Hopefully they will all transfer alright as I will not have time to check all the historic pages.

Thanks for stopping by

Mike

www.lifeandsoulpromotions.co.uk

Darien - If these walls could talk

2008-10-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

Not sure when this is due to drop but is one well worth waiting for. A solid album all the way through with several danceloor friendly tracks.

Just can't wait kicks off in an upbeat style with handclaps, guitar riffa and easy singalong chorus. Gone I guess is more R'n'B dancefloor friendly but still contributing to a strong opening with powerfull beats.

Composure is another top track with excellent instrumentation and an old school feel and one of the top cuts. Where its at, also heavy on the beats and strong on the vocals and a latent hammond organ weaving in and out.

Showya kicks in with a powerful bass and a lazy hypnotic vibe. My Door mellows it down somewhat, an immaculate ballad. Sail Thru is a mellow Stevie esque ballad with a fine trumpet break.

Love Revolution again with strong instrumentation builds into powerful track with lots going on. Nowhere I like a lot, heavy beat, funky organ, laid back vibe, string samples, great guitar work, great vocals.

Saturday is reminiscent of a fun day in the summer just hanging and vibing on the streets. All kinds of things is a funky singalong midtempo ballad, again hammond is prominent.

If these walls could talk, the title track, is an acoustic ballad, allowing appreciation of the vocals and the lyricism, and as it gathers pace it builds into a very prominent track.

An excellent album, very well produced with many top tracks and heartily recommended

Tracks - Just can't wait, Gone, Composure, Where its at, Showya, My Door, Sail Thru, Love Revolution, The Road, Nowhere, WSRD 33.3FM, Saturday, All kinds of things, If these walls could talk, Seasons

http://righteousmusicmedia.com/
http://righteousmusicmedia.com/darien.htm
http://www.myspace.com/Darienonline

Jarrard Anthony - Diary of a Messenger

2008-10-26T05:36:00.000-07:00

Jarrard, Julie Dexter and myself @ISMS2008

Review - This album only available at gigs and by download from the links below. Jarrard's previous albums are both different and diverse, the first (to paraphrase greatly) is more straightforward neo soul, the second being conceptual and off the wall - so his work is always interesting and challenging. And so for a man who carries his guitar all the time and everywhere (or at least pretty much every time I have seen him) and is on standby for any opportunity at any moment, it is probably only right and proper than the next thing would be an acoustic set.

This set therefore allows you to hear Jarrard at his rawest best, uncomplicated, yet strong. A couple of the songs are acoustic versions of songs on the earlier albums but are mostly new (to me, anyway).

These kind of albums tend to not appeal to everyone but they do allow you to get deeper into the artist because it is just him and you, stripped right back, to appreciate the lyrics and the vocals and therefore the talent without all the layering and studio niceties, and it certainly has me looking forward to the next album - what will it be? - due in 2009.

Tracks - What can I do, Stay the night, Right from wrong, Didn't U know, Lovesick
get Over, So Long Farewell

http://www.jarrardanthony.com/
http://www.myspace.com/jarrard

Info:-
What if you could combine Beck and Blackstreet?

Thats the queston Jarrard Anthony dares you to ask when you hear his boundary breaking style that travels over landscapes, through atmospheres, and beyond galaxies of a variety of genres, making stops in Soul, Electronica, Jazz, World, Rock, Pop, and Folk musical constellations. With influences from Earth, Wind, and Fire to Seal and Peter Gabriel, JA creates a complete musical cosmos.

Jarrard Anthony, dubbed by UK webzine Darker Than Blue as “Mr. Independent of R&B”, crooned his way into the independent soul arena in 1999 with the release of “So D-vine” from his debut LP “The Dream”. Substantial radio rotation and popularity throughout the east coast immediately made “So D-vine” an "Underground R&B" classic. In 2000, the project was licensed and released in vinyl format as an EP by the UK based Thermite Records/Stonegroove imprint gaining critical acclaim and the #2 position on UK Urban radio with the title track. With his 2004 release of the LP “Don’t Sleep…Just Dream”, Jarrard Anthony gained a larger US audience and broader international appeal including a UK tour featuring a spot on the Southport Weekender International Music Festival. The music video for ”Sweet Memories”, the first single off the LP, received international airplay and aired on over 200 music video shows throughout the US. Without the support and dollars of a major label, both projects still managed to sell several thousands units via online marketing, independent distributors, multi-song licensing deals and non-stop live performances.

In 2005, while working on a new project, JA met producer, Stico Von Drake and created the sound now known as "Electro-Soul". They quickly began producing and writing what led to JA's latest LP, S.ynergistic E.nergy X.change

With a new acoustic E.P. entitled Diary of a Messenger and a new album on the way for 2009, JA is poised step up from the underground of Urban Soul to the surface of Pop/Soul music culture.

Alex Lattimore- Promise

2008-10-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

I appreciate that this album has been out for a while and has atained some prominence in the UK (plus more to come so I hear, but not sure if this information can be passed on yet!) - but rather than hide this in the Atlanta Review section I thought I ought to give this a place on its own.

It was a bit by chance that I met Alex. I went to a fantastic event with Nikki Wade not knowing that Alex was on the bill. The event called STIR (promoted by main man Cocktails) included art, discussion, food, various 'sales' of art and craft related goods, vote registration, comedy and music. The event is necely captured on photographer Kat Goduco's website - http://katgoduco.com/2008/09/24/pictures-stir-hosted-by-cocktails-91908/

Ozara Ode was on the bill who I knew and it was great to hear her perform, but I was taking a break, having a look around, and then all of a sudden the quality of the performance, very Luther-esque, in the background captured me. I didn't know who it was immediatley but soon found out that it was Alex Lattimore.

Of course I knew many people that Alex would know, through Atlanta artists but particularly Jive, like Rhonda Thomas, Drea and Chanda Leigh, so that enabled introductions to be made and conversations flow.

Well thats just a story and not much of a review, but suffice to say the album is excellent from start to finish which was quite rightly picked up on by the UK Soul crowd. Whether it is the qulaity ballad Promise or the uptempo Keep Risin to the top or the jazzy interludes the album exudes quality.

Click picture to purchase and review -

Tracks - 1 Kissing You 2 Bernadette 3 Lullabye 4 Promise 5 Jazzman Blues
6 Sunlight in My Rain 7 Windows 8 Keep Risin' to the Top 9 A Million Ways
10 In Your Eyes

Info:-
A native of a city known for its great arts scene, Chicago, Illinois, Alex Lattimore is no stranger to the world of music. Serving as the male vocalist in the former Giant Step Records performing group Jiva, led by Khari Simmons (former bass player for India.Arie), Alex has been notably compared to the vocal styling of such artists as Luther Vandross and Will Downing. At the early age of 5, he began his journey with piano and trumpet lessons while also engaging in the youth choir ensemble at his home church. This led him to perform with a host of phenomenal groups such as the Chicago Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Sherwood Conservatory Brass Ensemble, Roosevelt University Jazz Band, and the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra. Alex’s musical journey continued in Atlanta, Georgia, serving as both a horn player (trumpet and flugel) and lead/background vocalist with a number of Atlanta-based acts. This platform allowed him to showcase his countless talents as a songwriter, arranger, instrumentalist, and vocalist.

With his dynamic abilities, Alex was catapulted into opportunities to open for and perform with internationally renowned artists like Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, Michael McDonald, India.Arie, Earl Klugh, The Rippingtons, Groove Collective, Roy Ayers, Kindred The Family Soul, Loose Ends, and Maysa Leak. Alex’s trumpet and vocals have also graced the Julie Dexter and Khari Simmons Brash Music album release of “Moon Bossa”, the Atlanta based group “Jiva” with albums “Sun and Moon’ and “Day Into Night” as well as being a featured vocalist on the beautifully written duet entitled “The Matrimony” from Rhonda Thomas’ album “Breathe New Life” and title track “Once Twice” from the Bugs in The Attic album release “Back in the Dog House.” Alex has also collaborated with D.J. Kemit (formerly of the Grammy award winning group Arrested Development), releasing a single entitled “Rush Hour” (featuring Takana Miyamoto) which found its place on the P-Vine Records compilation “Sol Com Bossa”. Currently Alex is working with the Ananda Project under the direction of Grammy nominated producer Chris Brann. Excerpts from these projects have been widely reviewed leading to a highly anticipated solo release.

Rob Murat - So Much to Say

2008-10-15T10:04:00.000-07:00

Click image to purchase and sample

Review -

The Soul World needs albums like this, in that they are heavily influenced on Soul Music from back in the day, and then bring it to another level that is appropriate for today. This album does this from a number of different angles, it's diversity, it's freshness, it's construction, and very powerful tracks.

Perhaps most powerful in many ways, the emotive content, the lyrics, the delivery of the acoustic Something Magical.

But there are many tracks that are of a high calibre - the Amy/Doris Day styled/sampled Dilemma, the upbeat catchy Daytime High, the uplifting and very accessible Celebrate.

Until its over is a cool ballad including some interesting violins, indeed some interesting instrumentation crops up here and there throughout the album.

The remaining tracks are for the most part varied and interesting with ballads, guests, up and downbeat, fine musicianship.

Whilst not every track hit the spot the whole package hangs together well, and there are lots of good things going on, so in that respect it is highly recommended.

Tracks: - 1 Ladies & Gentlemen 2 Dilemma 3 Ready to Love 4 Mr. Soulman ft. Amanda Diva 5 Daytime High 6 Celebrate 7 Something Magical 8 Until It's Over
9 So Much to Say 10 So Much More ft. J. Ivy 11 One Day ft. Blitz the Ambassador
12 Born Again 13 BONUS: Ricky??? 14 BONUS: Know... (Live)

Links: -
http://www.robmurat.com/
www.myspace.com/robmurat

Info:-
Soul music is back! It’s almost impossible to deny that there’s an ongoing resurrection of the genre made popular by pioneers such as Marvin Gaye, Al Green, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder and numerous others. After a lack-luster hiatus, R&B and Soul is refreshing again… It’s special again... And it definitely feels good again. Among the pack of souldiers leading this recent upsurge is native New Yorker, Rob Murat. The Queens-born Ivy-League graduate emerges as a leader within the resurgence with intense vocals, creative songwriting, and contagious production that holds music-lovers captive.

Singer, songwriter, producer, and grandson of an international music notable; Rob has been surrounded by music ever since birth. With a childhood immersed in a wide array of musical influences, from hip hop, pop, and R&B to Caribbean, jazz and even classical, Rob developed a vigorous passion for music relatively early in life. His musical upbringing coupled with his experiences as a trumpet soloist, self-taught pianist, impressive composer and vocal arranger has translated into the making of a true artist.

Listening to Rob Murat’s music is like traveling back to the future. The freshness of his sound is reminiscent of the icons that paved the way before him, yet it pushes forward with a unique flavor that hints at something never quite heard before. His passionate performances demand your undivided attention upon delivery. Sold out crowds at New York’s Joe’s Pub, The Village Underground, and L.Q., and Philadelphia’s World Live Café among others have all experienced Rob’s captivating execution firsthand. His sound and style lay a foundation that often flirt with rich tones and live instrumentation, yet at the same time display hip hop sensibilities that peak the interest of the urban listener. His songs deal with a range of matters from the heart and mind with a strong presence of vocal textures that serve as pure audio therapy for the soul. Seldom have love and hate, joy and pain, even tears and laughter been bound so tightly together in such a mesmerizing set.

Rob’s recent accolades include collaborations with Grammy Award winning, G.O.O.D. Music producer, Devo Springsteen (Kanye West, John Legend), and Hip Hop group, Kidz in the Hall; appearances on FOX and BET J TV broadcasts, and the Lennon Award in the R&B category of the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest; music placements on a nationwide Verizon Wireless radio ad, and on ESPN and TV One original series. His brand new recording project, So Much to Say, boasts collaborations with emcee/singer, Amanda Diva (Def Poetry Jam, Sirius Radio, MTV2), J. Ivy (Def Poetry Jam, Kanye West’s College Dropout), and rising Hip Hop artist, Blitz the Ambassador .

Yes… Soul music is back! And if Rob Murat has his way, it is here to stay.

Modern Musings………grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

2008-10-14T14:58:00.000-07:00

Bennson Whatever It Is (Part 1) (Soul Tornado Remix) (EU Raw Fusion 12”)

Originating from Australia, and released on Sweden’s finest imprint Raw Fusion, comes this belting 12” from Bennson. Two mixes over the twelve, with the Soul Tornado Remix taking the honours for me, this should blow hot for some time on the quality UK dance floors. A driving beat on the intro is soon joined by some nice electric piano stabs which continue throughout. The accomplished gutsy vocal comes in and we’re away, with organ and brass weaving in and out around the memorable hook, which should ensure some dance floor longevity. It has certainly done the business when I’ve played it out. I believe a full CD is only a matter of weeks away, and word is it’s a winner. Of course, it’s difficult to know whether this 12” remix will be included, so I would grab one anyway if I were you.

Fanatix Most cuts (UK BBE CD/LP “This Thing Of Ours”)

I awaited release of this LP with bated breath (well, actually, I didn’t………..so impatient was I that I downloaded the killer tracks ahead of the official release!). In a world traditionally dominated by our US counterparts, the names Aaron Ross and Neil Pierce shine like a beacon and fly the flag proudly for the UK. This is as an essential purchase as you will find in 2008 if quality soulful dance is your bag. Probably of most interest on the extreme soulful end of the spectrum is the Shaun Escoffrey sung “Can’t Let Go”, which I believe is good enough to finally see “Days Like This” and “Music In Me” confined back into the racks of the scenes DJ’s!! Requiring a little more penchant for dance music are the equally good “Ray Of Light” featuring Kadija Kamara and “Higher” with one of my favourite house diva’s Lady Alma (Horton) on vocal chores. Loads of good grooves on here…….Fanatix, Richard Earnshaw, Joey Negro…….big up the UK y’all!!

Neo Smile (UK HCS Records 12”)

This tune has been causing a stir since it was first played at Cleethorpes Weekender in 2007 as Gil Scott-Heron (not sure of the merits of the secrecy!!). It turns out to be French keyboard player Neo, featuring the vocals of Rudy Wilburn, and has been available for some time via Traxsource as an MP3 download, a package which includes a Yukihiro Fukutomi remix not included on the vinyl. However, there is an extended original on the 12” which was not available digitally. Confused yet?? Anyway, this has a good up tempo beat, and like the Bennson 12” has a hook you could hang your hat on (and similarly nice work on the piano/organ). It’s a good record and it’s clear to see why it has such appeal on the UK soul scene. I just wish some of the less obvious house cuts that come through week-in and week-out would get some needle/laser time, as many are just as deserving, if not so instant. And finally, I have to say that the secrecy/cover up malarkey on new releases does more to turn me off a sound than it does to attract me to it, which is a shame when the tune is decent like this one!

Phil Perry Most cuts (US Shanachie CD “Ready For Love”)

So to the issues really good news, and the fact that the man who could sing the Yellow Pages and hold your attention, is back with an album of new material, after his recent preference for cover versions. Yes, the former lead voice behind the Montclair’s is back with a new album for Shanachie records. Do you need it? You bet you do! Opening with the bright, bubbly “Desire” you immediately know you’re in the presence of true brilliance. This is followed by the sumptuous ballad “Ready For Love” on which Perry’s ability really shines, showing that he can still hold a note or two. “Shine On Me” is a likely candidate for the dance floor, adding to Phil’s impressive catalogue of dancers from various albums…..a DJ’s delight is Phil, delivering good proper dancers for grown ups!! “The Shelter Of Your Heart” is more great balladry, opening up with one of Perry’s trade mark whistled accompaniments……..trust me, it works. The mid-tempo “Why, Why, Why” featuring Salena is a further treat and could also work in the nations quality soul clubs (oh how I miss my early sets at Without Boundaries). There are a couple of covers on the back half of the set, including a sublime take on Dionne Warwick’s “Walk On By” which is simply superb, but 8 originals out of 10 tracks is pretty damn good. An absolute must have album.

Adrian Brown & Friends Free (US Nikab CD “Real Life Vol. II”)

Now then, on the gospel tip from the US indie’s, comes this 19 tracker from Adrian Brown and Friends. I’ve got to admit that I’ve only tracked this album once, and whilst I found one or two nice moments therein, it was only when I reached track 19 “Free” that I struck gold (or could that be Frankincense or Myrrh?). This track is worth the price of the album alone, a strutting snare driven, guitar plucked gospel R&B styled dancer of the highest order. The lyrics are great, gospel without being too heavy in the message, as the accomplished female lead declares on the hook that “it feels so good to me, and it feels so good to be free”. Line of the year though comes on a bridge in the shape of “…..like a baby being freed out of it’s mother’s womb, free like Jesus lifting him self out of the tomb”…….love it!! Perhaps you need to hear this to appreciate it. This really is so good yet to the best of my knowledge has had little exposure in the UK modern rooms. File it above some of those huge tunes of the minute in my opinion, but what do I know J

Studio Apartment feat. Kenny Bobien Justifiable (US King Street 12”/CD “The Rising Sun”)

King Street records, so called with reference to King Street, NYC, home of the legendary Paradise Garage club, celebrate 15 years of business this year. Of course, most of you know that Kenny Bobien can do no wrong, and this new cut is available on either the new Studio Apartment CD “The Rising Sun”, or on a 12” album sampler of the same name. If you are a collector of the Studio Apartment 12’s, you’ll already have lots of the good cuts here and may go for the vinyl. If the Japanese production team Studio Apartment are new to you, then the CD is a good bet. Anyway, back to this cut “Justifiable”, and all I can say to fans of Kenny is, think about “Hiya Luv” from the “Keep Hope Alive” CD and you won’t be far out. If you’re not familiar with that, just take my word for it that this is ESSENTIAL!!

A few quick spins then and I can’t sign off without mentioning the new Jeff Floyd CD “Keepin’ It Real”, new for William Bell’s Wilbe set-up, with “Lock My Door” likely to see dance floor action. Also the new “Southern Soul & Blues Party” compilation contains some belters on the Southern Soul tip. The Angie Whitney CD (Little Dizzy Records) is worth checking too. On the 12” front, there’s a brace of goodies from our friends at Especial over in Japan, with the Bakura “Mistaken” EP, and the Hajime Yoshizawa “Japan” album sampler, the latter being one for the jazz-heads. There’s a great new 12” from Jazmina based around the classic Frankie Knuckles’ “Tears”, and on the soul tip, a surprise to me in the shape of “Magic” from Robin Thicke, whom I knew could sing a bit but wasn’t expecting something as tasteful as this from somehow! Out of Europe, do check out the Samuel Sartini & Michael Watford “Real Love” on Glitter…..definitely house music for the soul heads. Readers of these pages especially should check out two new 7” releases by Marc Evans on Defected, a taster of his forthcoming album and well worth a purchase as future collector’s items. For those of particularly eclectic taste, you might like to check out 2000 Black’s “A Next Set A Rockers” on JAP Third Ear (what a label title!). A real mixed bag, with broken beats included, but there’s a superb soul dancer on there…..don’t miss it! Rounding things off with some more US released albums, and on the gospel tip, fans of Donald Lawrence might do well to check the new album form The Murrills “Family Prayer”, featuring the monster dancer “Friend Of Mine”. On a more main stream R&B tip, but with a touch of class for us soul peeps, check out Noel Gourdin’s “After My Time” for Epic. I believe he’s currently causing quite a stir across the pond, and it’s easy to see why.

Mark Randle’s Starpoint Radio playlist for August 2008:

Phil Perry – Walk On By (US Shanachie CD)

Hajime Yoshizawa feat. Navasha Daya – Celebration (JAP Village Again CD)

2000 Black – Simple Sacrifice (JAP Third Ear CD)

Luisito Quintero – Tumbao (Louie Vega Main Mix) (US Vega 12”)

Jenna Burke – The Brightness (US Micah Communications Inc. CD)

Noel Gourdin – Make The Most (US Epic CD)

The Murrills – Friend Of Mine (US Verity/Zomba Gospel CD)

Evelyn “Champagne” King – Standing On The Rock Of Love (US Big Day CD)

Terell House – You’re The One (US La Trebor Records CDS)

Amp Fiddler – Superficial (Amp’s Soul Special) (US Camp Amp Studios CD)

Slique – Got It For Me (Terry Hunter Remix) (US T’s Box MP3)

Bigggshady – My Shero (US Bigggshady/Moses Dailey Music Promo CDS)

Bakura feat. Darien – Mistaken (JAP Especial 12”)

The Soul Children – The 3 Of Us (US JEA Right Now CD)

Ragan Whiteside – Options (US Randis Music CD)

Sheree Brown – Adore U (US The House Of Zion CD)

Jimmy Abney – You Bring Me Joy (US Yoruba CD)

Mark Grant feat. Russoul – It’s Over (9^th Ending) (Original Soul Pass Vocal) (US Blackstone MP3)

Leon Ware – Smoovin’ (US Stax CD)

Stacey Mallory feat. Gerideau – Changes (Fanatix Remix) (US Iwanai MP3)

Phil Perry – Shine On Me (US Shanachie CD)

Dave Hollister – Glow (US Zomba Gospel CD)

Anthony David – Lady (US Universal Republic CD)

SIMPLY SOUL MAIL ORDER HOT TEN SALES

(w/c 25 August 2008)

1. Don-E - Natural (UK Dome CD)

2. Phil Perry - Ready For Love (US Shanachie CD)

3. George Duke - Dukey Treats (US Heads Up CD)

4. Heston - Storyteller (US Worldsoul Music CD)

5. Various - Stereo Sushi Vol 13 (UK Hed Kandi CD)

6. Evelyn 'Champagne' King - Open Book (US Big Day CD)

7. Studio Apartment feat. Kenny Bobien - Justifiable (US King Street 12”)

8. Mixed Feelings - Sha La La (US Soul Cal 12”)

9. Tayvon - From My Heart (US LTPD Record Company CD)

10. Bakura - Mistaken EP (JAP Especial 12”)

Web - www.firstexperiencerecords.com

Tel / Fax - 0116 237 5461

Email - markcoddington@btinternet.com

Cheers……………Mark Randle (September 2008)

Soul:ID - Sex Love and Philosophy

2008-10-14T14:11:00.000-07:00

Review - Well I know that this has been around for a while but its official release date in the UK is 3 November 2008, so this counts as one of the best releases of the year in my view.

Afropean Soul as it has been dubbed by the group gets my vote, and this set pretty much from front to back is quality stuff and highly recommended, and thats from somebody who is not a big fan of European 'Soul', but the blends on this are absolutely spot on.

The group consists of producer and nucleus Urban Deep, Tchai, the songstress, V - singer producer and creative force and Dad'D old school crooner and producer.

The initials tracks set the scene including a passable version of the previously hateful True, before the gem Even Though a wonderful slice of smooth mellowness.

There is an enormous mix of styles, influences, cultures and it all hangs together so well. My Philosophy with a laid back funky electro feel with vocal harmony patterns and a greta lead vocal and a whole bunch more weaving in and out....and if this is their philosophy I like it.

On How Comes the pace is lifted, a heavier more menacing vibe and Love of My Life brings it back down to a neo soul level.

Leaving You, if I had to pick a killer track then this would be it, a track I am featuring heavily on Soul Freedom Soul and Radio. Tender is another track that I like, great male lead - kind of Stevie -ish, but when the accompaniments come in and the harmonies it is beautiful.

Cannot recommend this highly enough.

Tracks -Youth, Believe, True,Even Though, Is This Love?,U Ain't [Extract],My Philosophy,How Comes,Love of My Life,Leaving You,Beauty & Sin,Got Me (Interlude),Oh, Oh, Oh! ,Tender,Last Night's Definition of Touch (Interlude),Whatcha Looking For?, Sex, Love & Philosophy (Outro)

Purchase here -
http://astore.amazon.co.uk/lifeandsoulpromo/detail/B000QUUC6G

Links:-
http://www.soul-id.com/
http://www.myspace.com/soulidmusic
Info:-

Soul:ID’s story begins in Africa where three-quarters of the band originate (Burundi, DR Congo and Rwanda respectively). Their journeys - and fate - brought them together in Brussels, Belgium where after years of working as studio musicians and backing vocalists, they decided it was their time to be in the spotlight.

The group consists of producer Urban Deep, the hip-hop drumming naughty boy and the nucleus of Soul:ID, Tchaï, the beautiful soul-loving songstress with a golden voice, V, the stylish, soul-sensitive singer/producer and creative mad scientist and Dad’D, the old-school crooner/producer who brings a peaceful balance to the group. They traveled different paths - from encountering the dark side of immigration, the constant day-to-day struggle to survive and racism - but they all share a common love for all things soul, proving stronger than any of the hardships they endured. These and other stories are ones told on Soul:ID’s stellar U.S. debut release Sex, Love & Philosophy on ABB Records’ ABB Soul.

Soul:ID is more than just a band, or even a brand which has been made evident through their ever increasing fan base and positive praise received from peers and the media alike. Their unique story has given shape to a concept (and sound) - dubbed "Afropean Soul" by Zap Mama herself - which reflects their own virtues and beliefs. Soul:ID begs to tell a different story about the immigrant experience; the story of today’s African and Afro-Europeans overcoming ethnic, social and economical barriers while promoting positive messages and images of what functioning multiculturalism can achieve. Soul:ID is a product of this African/ European renaissance and recognize the importance of celebrating it.

Originally it was Tchaï and Urban Deep who got the ball rolling. Feeling strongly the time had come to stop working on other people’s projects; they hit the studio and started working on their own. Calling on friends Dad’D and V for creative input, the foursome quickly realized what they were creating was equivalent to musical gold. Those long, inexhaustible days and nights in the studio sparked much artistic synergy and hotly debated topics, which were captured on the record and gave name to the album. Spanning over three years, these sessions resulted in a natural merging of fate and friendship and the harmonious landscape painted by the four is a kaleidoscope of their different experiences, personalities and stories told in a tasty stew of urban sounds.

In the time they’ve been together as a group, Soul:ID has worked with many notable international acts such touring with world-rhythm pioneer Zap Mama throughout Europe, headlined the legendary Jazz Café in London, and individually working with artists like Wyclef Jean, Craig David (UK), Robert Palmer and Youssou N’Dour (Senegal).

The album was exclusively written, produced and recorded by Soul:ID, mainly in Brussels, Belgium. Mixing took place in Los Angeles, USA, where the magic touch of Dylan "3D" Dresdow [Black Eyed Peas/Wu Tang Clan/Tweet] was added, while mastering took place on the other coast at Sony Studios, New York City courtesy of James Cruz [Toni Braxton/Three 6 Mafia/Lil Kim].

Soul:ID take their music seriously. They plan on introducing their infectious sound and eccentric style to audiences in North America with the release of their debut album, Sex, Love & Philosophy on ABB Records, with a nationwide tour later this fall.

Big Brooklyn Red - Answer the call

2008-10-14T10:19:00.000-07:00

Review - This is a very strong album with several standout tracks. In particular there are tracks that I am sure the UK will embrace strongly, starting with Taking it too far, a track based on Mellow Mellow Right On, this track will I am sure go big in Uk Modern Soul Rooms.

Not far behind will be So Inspired which for me is a better track . To illustrate that the album contains many tracks and will make a good purchase the opening track Home to you also hits this midpaced dancefloor vibe.

But it is anything but one dimensional X is some kind of epic, building into the best track on the album.

Sunrays featuring Lady Alma, heavy beats, more of a neo vibe if you have to label it, is also a track that I'm feeling. Give you up, a strong Blues sampling Lattimore probably shows Red at his vocally strongest.

Before I met Brookly Red back in 2007 he was more familiar to me because of some house, on this album there is an upbeat 8 minute percussive version of Sexual Healing, and it is very much a different, and fresh, interpretation and the original is barely recogniseable. Having said that the best 'House' orientated track is Truth.

Real musicians, real music, and having seen Brooklyn Red perform several times over the last couple of years I can attest to the fact that he can do this live as well, in fact that is where he is in his element. great stuff indeed.

Links:-
http://www.bigbrooklynred.com/home.html

Info: -In 1997, when this native Brooklynite moved to Miami and received his name from Mandrill’s guitarist Tommy Trujillo, the die was cast. He realized at that point, by leaving his familiar NYC to conquer new lands, he was stepping into his destiny.

His resume prior to that point was impressive. As a member of The CityKids Foundation’s Repertory Company, and later an alumnus, he was able to hone his craft with performances in high schools, prisons, as well as on Broadway and TV with countless celebrities. He performed his first original composition with jazz legends Herbie Hancock and Branford Marsalis and then again with the late, great Grover Washington Jr. at age 17.

In 1994 he started his first band "eli & the bluesound project" and continued sharpening his performance chops while stretching the boundaries of music on the New York scene. After two years, the band had run its course and Big Brooklyn Red went on to sign a production/management deal. While that particular effort never bore fruit, it gave him the opportunity to work with Ivan Hampden and Paulette McWilliams. Ivan was Luther Vandross’ drummer and Paulette was the linchpin of Luther’s inimitable background vocals. It was a master class. “I was a bad motherfucker before that, but Paulette made me razor sharp.”

Only six months after moving to Miami, Big Brooklyn Red became known as the premier soul singer in South Florida. His trademark freestyles made each performance one of a kind. Born from the difficulty of getting musicians to rehearse, his live performances in Miami were often complete improvisations. “That’s where the magic is for me,” Brooklyn says. “To just open your mouth and listen to what God might have me say. The better I sound, the better the song is, the more humble it makes me.”

“Somewhere along the line somebody with a mind for marketing told me to let the audience in on what was happening,“ Brooklyn adds. “I got tired of people asking where they could buy the song I had just made up.” At a 1999 gig at the Marlin Hotel on South Beach, he asked the audience for a phrase that they wanted to hear in a song. He flipped that phrase, and possibly a thousand more since then.

Every Friday night home game during the 2001/02 NBA season found “Big Brooklyn Red and the Miami Funk All Stars” as the house band for the Miami Heat. They performed the National Anthem, a few time-outs, the halftime show, and the post game party. Big Brooklyn Red was at the top…it was time to leave. Destiny was still calling.

At the end of 2002, with the help of his grandmother, Big Brooklyn Red bought a motor-home; packed up all his worldly possessions, his then girlfriend and his dog, Lulu, and set out on a grassroots tour of the U.S. He used this opportunity to promote the release of his first album Foreword while singing the National Anthem for NFL and NBA games, as well as doing open mics and featured performances in cities along the way. Each stop on the road brought him to venues where he belonged, such as the stage of the world famous Black Lily in Philadelphia. He met artists who were doing Soul music with the same passion and work ethic he himself possessed. Heston in Atlanta, Fertile Ground in Baltimore, W. Ellington Felton, Raheem De Vaughn and K’Alyn in DC.

Upon reaching his destination in Los Angeles, Big Brooklyn Red quickly made his mark. At a weekly showcase called Neo-Soul Unplugged, he rose to the top of a group of up-and-comers. His performances there were so legendary that he was often positioned as the opening act for such headliners as Brian McKnight, Blu Cantrell, Chico DeBarge, Robin Thicke, and Deborah Cox. “At Neo-Soul Unplugged my freestyles would make the headliners change their show…they wanted to be that free.”

Big Brooklyn Red’s time in L.A. was short-lived. Nearly a year after arriving in the City of Angels, he decided to return to Miami Beach. He felt the need to reconnect with the live music scene he’d had a hand in creating.

In 2003, three tracks from Foreword were licensed to the UK compilation Organic Soul Vol.3. “Time” was also licensed to be used on the compilations NY Soul and Soul Lounge Vol.1. At the same time, his second Soulful House track with producer Patrick Green was remixed by Dennis Ferrer and released. In two days, all 2,500 copies of the vinyl pressing were sold out and 1,300 reorders were requested. The track also got radio play on KCRW before the record company folded - making “I Got Sunshine“ a bonafide house music hit, as well as an enigma.

Later that year, Big Brooklyn Red did three dates in England to support Organic Soul Vol.3, and then flew directly to NYC in order to film “Showtime At The Apollo.” His performances made the 2004 season of their Best of Amateur Night show.

In 2006, Deep Haven Records released “He Moves,” a Gospel House track Big Brooklyn Red recorded a year earlier as a one-take freestyle. The record label’s debut release was launched with a performance in Minneapolis at the 7th St. Entrance, part of the 1st Avenue club. “I’m in the club where they shot Purple Rain, in this room that’s packed to the rafters and everybody is singing my lyrics while I’m performing the song! I was worried that I was going to mess it up…I freestyled that song so long ago. It took me weeks to learn the lyrics for that show! It was great,” he laughs.

Big Brooklyn Red is a performance driven artist. Since 2000, he has averaged over 50 shows per year. He continues to connect and build with his fellow soul artists by doing gigs in NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, Philly, New Orleans and D.C. Since the release of Foreword and subsequent recordings, he has balanced the presentation of his recorded material with showcasing his improvisational talent, and the freestyles are easily the most anticipated part of his live show. He won’t repeat a phrase he sang before and he never takes the easy way out.

He explains, “People have an expectation when they spit out a bunch of words for me to sing. I try to make it something they didn’t expect. When it’s pretty good I’m thinking really fast. When it’s really on I’m not even thinking and sometimes I fall flat on my face. That’s the risk of being an artist and being committed to your craft.”

Big Brooklyn Red rarely falls on his face.

In 2007 TruSoul Entertainment released Big Brooklyn Red’s mix tape, Unrehearsed Vol.1. It features freestyle one-take recordings over recognizable tracks. It is the application of Brooklyn’s organic process to Hip-Hop.

His next album, Answer The Call, will be available in stores and on-line in the Summer 2008. Meanwhile he continues to record and perform around the world. He may currently be seen on MTV Italia in DJ Jad’s video for “By My Side.”

Previous album

Soul Unsigned Volume 1

2008-10-08T14:03:00.000-07:00

Review - The first full album from Phil Driver's recommened Soul Unsigned outlet, featuring artists that have previously featured on the previous EP's and a bunch more, from all over the Soul World, and all wrapped in an extremely professional package. This outlet is fast becoming a key place for fresh new soul talent.

The opener - Kre8iV 4ce - She is one of the top tracks being the creation of UK leading DJ Fitzroy da Buzzboy and featuring Noel McKoy on lead.

Al Campos - New York Feeling seems to me to be the track gaining most critical attention, and I can see why in that it has a nice groove, it's kinda nice, perhaps too nice for me. Excellent Gentlemen - No Doubt About It falls into a similar category for me, the plusses are that it has proper instrumentation, a 'proper' band but it is far too formulaic.

Moses Mayes - Intrafusion, notches up the funk ratchet and contains much more funk and youthful exuberance in comparison to the last track, it gets down, and fuses all the influences much better. They also did the best track on EP2.

Mothergroove - Don't Waste Your Time is chilled and moody with excellent instumentation, especially the horns. Life and Soul has been a big supporter of Harambe for a long time, so great to see their inclusion with Lazy a track from their 2003 album.

Dreemtime - Sisco (Gentlemen Players remix) features my girl Maya Azucena - Life and Soul of course was responsible for Maya's first ever European Gig - this remix is persistent, driving and very feelgood.

Kaldera - What The Rhythm's 4 is funky and percussive but isn't really doing much for me.

The next two tracks work well together, creating a vibe, a mood that fits - Yohimbe - Love ESC is a melange of different styles and the result is a mesmeric soulful concoction. The Black Style Mood - Closer is my star pick, as the hook keeps coming in on top of some funky riffs and what a groove - great stuff indeed.

Groove's Back Productions - Gently again is a track I like, neo soul groove complete with more poetic neo soul lyrics, and it still possesses a fairly upbeat feel. Maintain - Shed Some Light starts off sounding as if it's going to be OK, but gets a bit messy for me with all the tempo changes.

Jazz funk from Poland and Japan respectively concludes the set in Majahba - Womanizer, and Kan Sano's Inner Sun. The latter being very fine indeed evoking all that 70's CTI and Kudu era.

On the whole a more than worthwhile release, a few tracks don't do it for me but thats always the case, but the quality is high, fresh and varied. It's also good to see bands that can cut it live, rather than false studio perfection. Soul Unsigned is reaching parts that the 'traditional' labels are leaving behind so Power to them.

Tracks:- 1 Kre8iV 4ce - She 2 Al Campos - New York Feeling 3 Excellent Gentlemen - No Doubt About It 4 Moses Mayes - Intrafusion 5 Mothergroove - Don't Waste Your Time 6 Harambe - Lazy 7 Dreemtime - Sisco (Gentlemen Players remix) 8 Kaldera - What The Rhythm's 4 9 Yohimbe - Love ESC 10 The Black Style Mood - Closer 11 Groove's Back Productions - Gently 12 Maintain - Shed Some Light 13 Majahba - Womanizer 14 Kan Sano - Inner Sun

Click pic to purchase and sample -

Links - http://www.soulunsigned.com/
Info - The "Soul Unsigned" radio shows, which are broadcast in the UK, USA, Sweden, Spain and New Zealand, focus on unsigned and independent soul, funk and jazz artists.

The Soul Unsigned Record label releases compilations of some of the best tracks featured on the shows.

This full-length complation CD picks up where EP:001 and EP:002 left off....introducing 9 new acts from around the world; Kre8iV 4ce and Kaldera from the UK, Al Campos, Dreemtime, Yohimbe and Maintain from the USA, Kan Sano from Japan, Majahba from Poland and The Black Style Mood from Switzerland.

The CD also includes *new* tracks from artists previously featured on EP:001 and EP:002 - Moses Mayes, Excellent Gentlemen, Harambe, Mothergroove and Groove's Back Productions.

A great collection of 14 soulful grooves.

Others from the series to buy

Northern Soul's 200 Greatest Floorfillers

2008-10-06T06:58:00.000-07:00

Review -

Buy here - https://astore.amazon.co.uk/lifeandsoulpromo/detail/B001ECE5ZO

Ian Levine's new 5 Disc Boxed set of Northern Soul Floorfillers, containing 200 videos some new, some considerably cleaned up and modernised (visually). Non stop music of Ian's reworking of Northern Soul Classics.

Ian gets criticism from various angles which I am not particularly interested in, but you have to admire the passion, the single mindedness and the acheivement that this actually is. Whatever way you look at it there are hours and hours of painstaking work not only in production but tracking down these people.

So the piece is a fantastic archive of many, maybe most, of the key names in Northern Soul history, and at that level it surely must be regarded as a triumph whichever way you look at it. Yes you can criticise production in some cases, either audio or visual, but he did what he had to do.

Well I have only seen the check disc at this point of about 40 or so of the tracks, pretty much volume one, not all of it appeals, and there are criticisms I could make. But the bottom line is that I'm better for seeing it (particularly as a good number of the artists are no longer with us), and for that reason I hope it is a great succuss.

A quick run through of some of the tracks will identify some of the plusses and indeed some of the issues, but there is no real constant. Sometimes I might like the improved video, sometimes I might not, sometimes its a refreshing remake, sometimes its not....and so on. I've simply tried to give a brief comment about each track but it is clearly eveident that if there is sufficient on just this one disc to satisfy then there is bound to be even more over 5, though anyone will deserve a medal for getting through the full set in one or even two sittings!

The opener is DOBIE GRAY - OUT ON THE FLOOR which for what it is I can understand its place, but it is not an auspicious start frankly. The original video is shaded by pastels colours across the whole screen which gives a strange complexion to Dobie's skin reminding me of some kind of pantomime character. Musically it is clean but visually it is still impaired.

Contrastingly the next few tracks contain outdoor scenes and fair much better - ALFIE DAVISON - LOVE IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS, JIMMY CONWELL - TOO MUCH, P.P. ARNOLD - EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT and ERMA FRANKLIN - I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING. The gorgeous P.P for me would have made a much better opener, and I really don't care for the vocals on Jimmy Conwell.

THE ARTISTICS - I'M GONNA MISS YOU contains great studio views and already after just 6 tracks in we have already seen a pretty wide view of Northern Soul, male, female, group harmony, older classics and newer ones (on the Northern Soul Timeline).

THE FOUR VANDALS - WRONG SIDE OF TOWN caused contoversy and angst in NS circles but it stands up, indeed sounds fresh in comparison to its peers, particularly if you view it as a piece on its own without making comparisons.

WILLIE HUTCH - LOVE RUNS OUT is a stormer, maybe the best so far. There is a lot going on in the original production in that it has pretty much all of the essential ingredients, but Ian handles his production really well and all the components really work.

Conversely the EDDIE PARKER - LOVE YOU BABY doesn't work, maybe partly because the tune doesn't (for me anyway) anymore - remember at one time this was the number one sound bar none. The video fails much for the same reason as Dobie Gray with the addition that with the effect of trying to make the film look aged it looks like Eddie is on strings!

BOBBY HEBB - YOU WANT TO CHANGE ME shot by the sea is another good one, again visually and aurally.

THE DYNAMICS - YES I LOVE YOU BABY contains some visual effects like Dobie Gray, but no problems here, maybe it's the black background or something but it is absolutely fine.

TOMMY RIDGLEY - MY LOVE GROWS STRONGER is a highlight if only for the fact that he's there, but the piece is really rather nice and I found quite emotional.

RONNIE McNEIR - LUCKY NUMBER, great vocally and bizarrely a track that I would have picked out before as being one of the ones I would have preferred to see but bizzarrel it sounds more dated, given that its one of the later tracks, and one dimensional than some of the older cuts.

JOHNNY MOORE - WALK LIKE A MAN - I'd have to look back on to the previous DVD to see how this fared, but I don't recall this as being standout, but I am loving this mix, for me it actually enhances the track, particularly the backing vocals against an extra gravelly vocal.

THE DELLS sublime RUN FOR COVER excellently puts the live video against the backing track.

DEAN PARRISH - DETERMINATION whilst I don't like the track, nothing to do with this album, is a well constructed piece with cuts from different sessions, the mix is pretty good to. Another track I've never particularly liked although it does have its place in NS history, far to raucous!, but it comes over very strongly is THE VEL-VETS, I GOTTA FIND ME SOMEBODY.

JOE STUBBS - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING and THE APOLLAS - MISTER CREATOR represent barnstorming Northern, particularly like the Apollas video

A great little section contains GENE CHANDLER - I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, - THE LOVETONES - FIRE ALARM and MELVIN DAVIS - FIND A QUIET PLACE, vastly improved on what we've seen before, especially the latter.

YVONNE VERNEE - JUST LIKE YOU DID ME kinda works, again a greatly produced track and the video is made to work, despite some of the same effects i have criticised elsewhere - see I said contradictions!

THE CARSTAIRS - STICK BY ME BABY nicely worked video using excerpts from the live performance in the UK, and a very good piece of music. It's also here where it gets interesting with this and SAUNDRA EDWARDS - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY, versions you wouldn't expect necessarily. The Saundra Edwards vocal certainly adds something, a different perspective to the track, which is nice, not only the obvious difference but the different nuances it allows in production when it doesn't have to necessarily faithfully follow the original.

RONNIE WALKER - YOU GOT TO TRY HARDER works against an old video because of the effortless vocal and once again Ian's production works. SANDRA PHILLIPS - WORLD WITHOUT SUNSHINE also works and whilst I would have put this into the persistent driving typical Northern category there is sufficient going on to waken it up. Similarly I like MARVIN SMITH - HAVE MORE TIME more so on this one because I just like the track, rather than anything being added.

IRMA THOMAS - WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO is just fantastic, bright , breezy and cheerful (and looking good) and just a favourite piece of mine in any event

In the OK category (for me) are KENNY BERNARD's pounding PITY MY FEET, EDDIE HOLMAN straightforward driving N Soul WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR MELODY, EVIE SANDS - PICTURE ME GONE, nice video, bad track, MAXINE BROWN - ONE IN A MILLION bad video, nice track!, and SAM WARD - SISTER LEE

Tracks that don't particularly work for me are THE VONETTES - TOUCH MY HEART, CINDY SCOTT sat in her armchair doing I LOVE YOU BABY, FRANCES NERO - KEEP ON LOVING ME, great track but another one falling down on the imagery, JIMMY THOMAS - WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY, EVELYN THOMAS - DOOMSDAY which I think is just a horrendous video and TONY MIDDLETON, PARIS BLUES

I've grown up through Northern Soul, it is still in me, it is not particularly where my head is at right now. I would, no doubt, have serious differences of opinion with Ian as to where Soul Music now is at, and whether new music should hark back to the old days, or whether it has a place in Soul Music 2008 culturally and philosophically, and whether it hinders progression of the form. That said it can still have a marketplace, more importantly it can still be good and on that level I can still appreciate it, like it even and I would have no hesitation including some of them on my radio shows. I also cannot help but admire the unfailing singlemindedness that drives his passion, to the extent that whether its right or wrong it's gonna be right - I like that!

Listening straight through in one go you start to pick up on similarities in production, and maybe appreciate the original versions as a result, but I fully understand the reasons for this and appreciate that there was no other way. And I wouldn't let that distract me from the intent and the vision of this set. Its also fantastic to have the whole thing in one set, one box set, in one purchase. I wonder though if each disk was sold separately for say a tenner, and released at say 3 monthly intervals, building into a collection, whether that would have been a better marketing strategy - although I have to say the build up on the likes of Youtube and Soul Source has been immense.

As you can see on this romp through 40 tracks, some I like some I don't - you will listen and I would guess that you would feel the same, maybe not the same opinion on specific tracks but overall. Multiply this up by 5 times and this surely becomes an essential purchase.

Links

Buy here - http://astore.amazon.co.uk/lifeandsoulpromo

http://www.wienerworld.com/wworld.php?catnumber=WNRD2452

Info: -
Title: Northern Soul\'s 200 Greatest Floorfillers
Label: Wienerworld Ltd
Cat Number: WNRD2452
Bar Code: 5018755245213
Format: DVD
Price: £29.99
Release Date: 27 October 2008
Duration: 10 hours
Certificate: E

Northern Soul’s 200 Greatest Videos – All Remade, Re-Edited, Re-Built and All Brand New Versions

At a time when a major motion picture is being filmed set against the backdrop of the world of Northern Soul, and when both Amy Winehouse and Duffy have topped the UK pop charts with classic real Northern Soul music, Wienerworld is delighted to present Northern Soul’s 200 Greatest Floorfillers (WNRD2452).

No other Northern Soul DVD in the history of music could ever compare to this. Virtually EVERY classic hit of the era has been filmed and performed, in 95% of the cases by the original artists who made them so beloved of the last forty years.

The majority of these performances have never been seen before and most of them have been digitally re-mastered with excellent DVD quality.

With 200 performances spread across 5 DVDs, this is the ULTIMATE all-time Northern Soul DVD box set package.

Some performances have never been edited before but were filmed ten years ago. Others have been filmed but never edited at all. Some have had faulty sound tracks re-recorded from scratch, whilst others have only ever been seen on YouTube and never been available in DVD quality.

200 Northern Soul songs. All proper performances. All wonderful. All brand new versions. A set to last a lifetime. This is the ‘must-have’ DVD of the century.

Big Time Song Performances include:
Out On The Floor • Do I Love You • Time Will Pass You By • Long After Tonight Is All Over • I Go To Pieces Everytime • I\'ll Do Anything • I\'m On My Way • Blowing My Mind To Pieces • It Really Hurts Me Girl • Hung Up On Your Love • Night Owl • What • I Get The Sweetest Feeling • Everything\'s Gonna Be Alright • You\'re Gonna Make Me Love You • That Beatin\' Rhythm • I\'m Gonna Miss You • Just A Little Misunderstanding
• Baby Reconsider • It\'ll Never Be Over For Me • Sliced Tomatoes • Love On A Mountain Top • Happy • With This Ring • The Drifter • Selfish One • Unsatisfied • Cracking Up Over You
...Plus MANY more!

Region: 0
Colour: Colour
TV System: PAL

Track Listing:
DISC ONE

1 - DOBIE GRAY - OUT ON THE FLOOR
2 - ALFIE DAVSION - LOVE IS A SERIOUS BUSINESS
3 - JIMMY CONWELL - TOO MUCH
4 - P.P. ARNOLD - EVERYTHING\'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT
5 - ERMA FRANKLIN - I GET THE SWEETEST FEELING
6 - THE ARTISTICS - I\'M GONNA MISS YOU
7 - THE FOUR VANDALS - WRONG SIDE OF TOWN
8 - WILLIE HUTCH - LOVE RUNS OUT
9 - EDDIE PARKER - LOVE YOU BABY
10 - BOBBY HEBB - YOU WANT TO CHANGE ME
11 - THE DYNAMICS - YES I LOVE YOU BABY
12 - TOMMY RIDGLEY - MY LOVE GROWS STRONGER
13 - RONNIE McNEIR - LUCKY NUMBER
14 - THE VONETTES - TOUCH MY HEART
15 - CINDY SCOTT - I LOVE YOU BABY
16 - KENNY BERNARD - PITY MY FEET
17 - DEAN PARRISH - DETERMINATION
18 - JOHNNY MOORE - WALK LIKE A MAN
19 - THE VEL-VETS - I GOTTA FIND ME SOMEBODY
20 - THE DELLS - RUN FOR COVER
21 - EDDIE HOLMAN - WHATEVER HAPPENED TO OUR MELODY
22 - FRANCES NERO - KEEP ON LOVING ME
23 - EVIE SANDS - PICTURE ME GONE
24 - MAXINE BROWN - ONE IN A MILLION
25 - JOE STUBBS - JUST A LITTLE MISUNDERSTANDING
26 - THE APOLLAS - MISTER CREATOR
27 - GENE CHANDLER - I CAN TAKE CARE OF MYSELF
28 - THE LOVETONES - FIRE ALARM
29 - MELVIN DAVIS - FIND A QUIET PLACE
30 - JIMMY THOMAS - WHERE THERE\'S A WILL THERE\'S A WAY
31 - SAM WARD - SISTER LEE
32 - EVELYN THOMAS - DOOMSDAY
33 - YVONNE VERNEE - JUST LIKE YOU DID ME
34 - THE CARSTAIRS - STICK BY ME BABY
35 - SAUNDRA EDWARDS - THERE\'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY
36 - TONY MIDDLETON - PARIS BLUES
37 - RONNIE WALKER - YOU GOT TO TRY HARDER
38 - SANDRA PHILLIPS - WORLD WITHOUT SUNSHINE
39 - MARVIN SMITH - HAVE MORE TIME
40 - IRMA THOMAS - WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO

DISC TWO

1 - VENICIA WILSON - THIS TIME I\'M LOVING YOU
2 - DORIS TROY - I\'LL DO ANYTHING
3 - LEON HAYWOOD - BABY RECONSIDER
4 - SIDNEY BARNES - I HURT ON THE OTHER SIDE
5 - THE MONTCLAIRS - HUNG UP ON YOUR LOVE
6 - JO ARMSTEAD - I GOT THE VIBES
7 - THE VOLCANOS - STORM WARNING
8 - ANGELO STARR - STAND ON MY OWN TWO FEET
9 - JIMMY JAMES - A MAN LIKE ME
10 - EDWIN STARR - I HAVE FAITH IN YOU
11 - THE FOUR VANDALS - ONE PICTURE\'S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
12 - PAT LEWIS - IT\'LL NEVER BE OVER FOR ME
13 - THE JUST BROTHERS - SLICED TOMATOES
14 - L.J. JOHNSON - YOUR MAGIC PUT A SPELL ON ME
15 - DEON JACKSON - THAT\'S WHAT YOU DO TO ME
16 - J.J. BARNES - OUR LOVE IS IN THE POCKET
17 - THE THREE DEGREES - CONTACT
18 - SAM DEES - LONELY FOR YOU BABY
19 - EARL VAN DYKE - SIX BY SIX
20 - THE UNITED FOUR - SHE\'S PUTTING YOU ON
21 - THE SHIRELLES - LAST MINUTE MIRACLE
22 - THE VELOURS - I\'M GONNA CHANGE
23 - BETTYE LAVETTE - LET ME DOWN EASY
24 - DEAN COURTNEY - I\'LL ALWAYS NEED YOU
25 - RICHARD TEMPLE - THAT BEATIN\' RHYTHM
26 - LEE ANDREWS & THE HEARTS - NEVERTHELESS
27 - GWEN OWENS - YOU BETTER WATCH OUT
28 - BOBBY SHEEN - DOCTOR LOVE
29 - SISTERS LOVE - I\'M LEARNING TO TRUST MY MAN
30 - TAMMI LAVETTE - KISS MY LOVE GOODBYE
31 - BOBBY PARIS - NIGHT OWL
32 - BOBBY HUTTON - LEND A HAND
33 - BEVERLY ANN - YOU GOT YOUR MIND ON OTHER THINGS
34 - THE DRAMATICS - INKY DINKY WANG DANG DOO
35 - EVELYN THOMAS - MY HEAD\'S IN THE STARS
36 - FRANK WILSON - JANICE DON\'T BE SO BLIND TO LOVE
37 - THE SAPPHIRES - GOTTA HAVE YOUR LOVE
38 - THE SEQUINS - A CASE OF LOVE
39 - HERBERT HUNTER - I WAS SENT TO LOVE YOU
40 - LORRAINE CHANDLER - I CAN\'T HOLD ON

DISC THREE

1 - FRANK WILSON - DO I LOVE YOU (Indeed I Do)
2 - ROBERT KNIGHT - LOVE ON A MOUNTAIN TOP
3 - TAHIRA JUMAH - REACHING FOR THE BEST
4 - BOBBY HEBB - LOVE LOVE LOVE
5 - BUNNY SIGLER - GIRL DON\'T MAKE ME WAIT
6 - EVELYN THOMAS - WEAK SPOT
7 - BARBARA LYNN - YOU\'RE LOSING ME
8 - BARBARA PENNINGTON - TWENTY FOUR HOURS A DAY
9 - WILLIAM BELL - HAPPY
10 - RICHARD POPCORN WYLIE - ROSEMARY WHAT HAPPENED
11 - CHUCK JACKSON - ALL OVER THE WORLD
12 - BOBBY HUTTON - COME SEE WHAT\'S LEFT OF ME
13 - DEAN PARRISH - I\'M ON MY WAY
14 - WINSTON WARD - LONG AFTER TONIGHT IS ALL OVER
15 - PAT LEWIS - NO ONE TO LOVE
16 - TOBI LARK - HAPPINESS IS HERE
17 - ROSE BATTISTE - HIT AND RUN
18 - THE FOUR VANDALS - WITHOUT THE MUSIC
19 - BOB BRADY - MORE MORE MORE OF YOUR LOVE
20 - NOEL McKOY - DETERMINED MAN
21 - SHEILA FERGUSON - HEARTBROKEN MEMORIES
22 - FRANK WILSON - MY SUGAR BABY
23 - MARY LOVE - YOU TURNED MY BITTER INTO SWEET
24 - BILLY HARNER - WHAT ABOUT THE MUSIC
25 - THE VALADIERS - NO COMPETITION
26 - CARL CARLTON - COMPETITION AIN\'T NOTHING
27 - C.P. SPENCER - THIS MAN NEEDS YOU
28 - THE ROYAL JOKERS - LOVE GAME FROM A TO Z
29 - TOMMY HUNT - CRACKING UP OVER YOU
30 - JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS - LOOKS LIKE LOVE IS HERE TO STAY
31 - THE OLYMPICS - BABY DO THE PHILLY DOG
32 - J.J. BARNES - TALK OF THE GRAPEVINE
33 - THE FLIRTATIONS - STRONGER THAN HER LOVE
34 - JAMES FOUNTAIN - SEVEN DAY LOVER
35 - BARBARA MILLS - QUEEN OF FOOLS
36 - PAT LEWIS - FUNNY HOW WE CHANGED PLACES
37 - FREDDY BUTLER - THAT\'S WHAN I NEED YOU
38 - JIMMY BURNS - I REALLY LOVE YOU
39 - THERESA LINDSAY - I\'LL BET YOU
40 - KEN WILLIAMS - COME BACK

DISC FOUR

1 - THE CARSTAIRS - IT REALLY HURTS ME GIRL
2 - EDDIE PARKER - I\'M GONE
3 - BOB RELF - BLOWING MY MIND TO PIECES
4 - THE ELGINS - DON\'T WAIT AROUND
5 - THE PLATTERS - WITH THIS RING
6 - NAT AUGUSTIN - LOVE IS MY SANCTUARY
7 - THE GEMS - I\'LL BE THERE
8 - THE BLOSSOMS - THAT\'S WHEN THE TEARS START
9 - EDWIN STARR - BACK STREET
10 - PAT LEWIS - CAN\'T SHAKE IT LOOSE
11 - THE TYMES - THE LOVE THAT YOU\'RE LOOKING FOR
12 - RAY POLLARD - THE DRIFTER
13 - P.P. ARNOLD - I GO TO PIECES EVERYTIME
14 - JERRY WILLIAMS - IF YOU ASK ME
15 - JO ARMSTEAD - I FEEL AN URGE COMING ON
16 - BOB BRADY - EVERYBODY\'S GOING TO A LOVE IN
17 - ROBERT BANKS - A MIGHTY GOOD WAY
18 - MAXINE BROWN - LET ME GIVE YOU MY LOVING
19 - KIM WESTON - YOU HIT ME RIGHT WHERE IT HURT ME
20 - J.J. BARNES - PLEASE LET ME IN
21 - NOEL McKOY - MY CLAIM TO FAME
22 - WILLIE KENDRICK - CHANGE YOUR WAYS
23 - JACKIE ROSS - SELFISH ONE
24 - BOBBY PARIS - I WALKED AWAY
25 - JACKIE DAY - BEFORE IT\'S TOO LATE
26 - JIMMY THOMAS - THE BEAUTIFUL NIGHT
27 - LEE ANDREWS & THE HEARTS - I\'VE HAD IT
28 - VANESSA HAYNES - LEAVING THE SCENE OF THE CRIME
29 - JAY AND THE TECHNIQUES - ARE YOU READY FOR THIS
30 - ANGELO STARR - BABY I\'M STILL THE SAME MAN
31 - THE VALADIERS - WHAT\'S WRONG WITH ME BABY
32 - HOLLY HARRISON - BRIGHT LIGHTS OF THE CITY
33 - THE CARSTAIRS - HE WHO PICKS A ROSE
34 - BEVERLY ANN - HE\'S COMING HOME
35 - EVELYN THOMAS - HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME
36 - LORRAINE CHANDLER - I CAN\'T CHANGE
37 - JIMMY JAMES & THE VAGABONDS - OTHER SIDE OF THE STREET
38 - VENICIA WILSON - FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD
39 - THE ARTISTICS - HOPE WE HAVE
40 - THE FOUR LARKS - GROOVING AT THE GO-GO

DISC FIVE

1 - TOBI LEGEND - TIME WILL PASS YOU BY
2 - ALEXANDER PATTON - A LITTLE LOVIN\' SOMETIMES
3 - GARLAND GREEN - AIN\'T THAT GOOD ENOUGH
4 - GWEN OWENS - JUST SAY YOU\'RE WANTED AND NEEDED
5 - BARBARA LEWIS - THE STARS
6 - SANDI SHELDON - YOU\'RE GONNA MAKE ME LOVE YOU
7 - LOU JOHNSON - UNSATISFIED
8 - THE GYPSIES - IT\'S A WOMAN\'S WORLD
9 - THE FOUR VANDALS - BIG STRONG LOVE IN MY HEART
10 - BRENDA HOLLOWAY - RECONSIDER
11 - LOUISE THOMAS - HE\'S SO IRREPLACEABLE
12 - THE TYMES - WHAT WOULD I DO
13 - JACKIE ROSS - KEEP YOUR CHIN UP
14 - THE VOLCANOS - IT\'S AGAINST THE LAWS OF LOVE
15 - TAMMI LAVETTE - TAKE A CHANCE ON LOVE
16 - ROSE BATTISTE - I MISS MY BABY
17 - J.J. BARNES - SWEET SHERRY
18 - CLIFFORD CURRY - I CAN\'T GET HOLD OF MYSELF
19 - VENICIA WILSON - I CAN\'T ERASE THE THOUGHTS OF YOU
20 - DIANE LEWIS - KEEP A HOLD ON ME
21 - GEROD HARRIS - HEADACHES AND HEARTACHES
22 - THE TEMPOS - COUNTDOWN HERE I COME
23 - MARVIN COTTERELL - TRY WALKING IN MY SHOES
24 - JIMMY THOMAS - DANCING ON THE EDGE OF A DREAM
25 - TAHIRA JUMAH - WHAT
26 - MARY LOVE - LAY THIS BURDEN DOWN
27 - LITTLE ANN - WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO FOOL
28 - TOMMY HUNT - LOVING ON THE LOSING SIDE
29 - NOEL McKOY AND EBONY ALLEYNE - SPECIAL DELIVERY
30 - BILLY BUTLER - THE RIGHT TRACK
31 - KENI BURKE of The FIVE STAIRSTEPS - STAY CLOSE TO ME
32 - SHENTON DIXON - I\'LL MOVE A MOUNTAIN
33 - EMANUEL LASKY - LUCKY TO BE LOVED BY YOU
34 - THE ORLONS - SPINNING TOP
35 - VERNA FRANCIS - BECAUSE OF YOU
36 - BOBBY PARIS - PERSONALLY
37 - CARL CARLTON - NOTHING NO SWEETER THAN LOVE
38 - KIM WESTON - HELPLESS
39 - PAT LEWIS - DON\'T YOU WORRY BABY THE BEST IS YET TO COME
40 - DEE DEE SHARP - WHAT KIND OF LADY

Soul Summit Artists

2008-09-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

Just a quick run through of some material I brought back from the International Soul Summit in Atlanta - it's not necessarily new but mostly new to me

Collette - CD Single- You Don't know

Click picture to preview album and purchase

myspace.com/experiencecollette

Also had the pleaseure of seeing Collette showcase at Strictly Social.
The single has an R'n'B feel, as does the album but Collette's voice is sweet and Crystal clear, certainly better than a lot of those in the R'n'B arena. Very nice and a strong album as well.

Trace Ellington - Let Love In - CD single
Trace Ellington - Let Love in - Album

CD single with Let Love in and No Money from the Let Love in , complete with Club Remixes. the club mixe of 'love' is quite stripped down and worth a listen.

The album from last year is well worth a visit/revisit as it contains several memorable tracks like the upbeat Let Love in and No Money. Soul Music is a feelgood stepper.

A very strong indie album. I particularly like th emidtemo Never Givin Up.

Speaking to Trace briefly he tells me that he has now moved to Atlanta

(Info - Trace Ellington, a younger branch of the Ellington (Duke) dynasty, breathes life into the soul of music, resurrecting sounds comparable to Sly and The Family Stone, Curtis Mayfield, and Jimi Hendrix.

As a branch of the Ellington family tree, Trace is blessed with a diverse heritage that serves as a strong foundation for his music. His multi-talents as a singer, songwriter, and producer only enhances his unique compilations. In addition, Trace’s commanding stage presence is supported by his mastery of various instruments including keyboard, drum, guitar and bass.

In California, Trace ran into MC Hammer’s manager and Adrian Gregory (producer of Digital Underground, JJ Fad, World Class Wrecking Crew (with Dr. Dre), which gave Trace another opportunity to break into the music industry. Prior to this, Trace was producing Dangerous Dame (Bay Area Hit “I Call Your Name”). Trace recorded Tupac’s early recordings and also the Sex Packet album of Digital Underground.

Trace started his own record company, Mood Indigo Records (now Mood Indigo Recordings, Inc.), in 1988. He worked with artists such as Too Short, the Hughes Brothers, Ritchie Rich, Dru Down, Rappin Forte. Trace’s company was an entertainment complex offering multiple services, production, housing, and rehearsal space.

At 30, Trace worked with artists from the group, Chicago, rap group, Crucial Conflict, Death Row, Danny Boy, doing production and shooting music videos. While in Chicago, Trace worked with Dennis Rodman, singing in his club. Trace founded Mood Café, which originally started as a recording studio, but his vision blossomed to opening the ‘hot spot’ coffee shop, a Chicago-known showcase for artists and creatives.

Trace later moved to Los Angeles, California, working with Jamie Foxx, artists on the dirty south Universal label, Aaron Carter (NSync), Suga T (E-40’s sister), and Larry Dunn (Earth, Wing & Fire). Trace took time to re-focus and work on himself, taking a spiritual journey and ended up completing his album “Let Love In”. The current single, Let Love In, is playing in the UK on the Soul Brothers label. Trace is currently performing at various venues in the Bay Area, soon to expand to Southern California, Seattle, Chicago and Washington, DC. He is also producing local Bay Area talent."

TN'T Trish & Tom - BET your $

From the album Something Good and likely to be released as a single due to demand, given an upbeat club remix.

9 Anos Despues - A Yoruba Records Compilation

www.yorubarecords.com

Excellent compilation from the cream of Yoruba - 9 years on. Jimmy Abney, Gabrielle Poso, Nomumbah, Quetzal Guerrero, Osunslade, Djinji Brown, Afefe Iku, Santos, Mellow Madness and Nadirah Shakoor.

A fine relaxing chilled worldly album, the standouts being a great piece by Nomumbah - Song for Mi Parade, Jimmy Abney's More of You, Djinji Brown's percussive Marta's House and Afefe Iku's Afrobeat Mirror Dance.

Strangely the track I expected to like most was the one I didn't and that was the freestylig Osunslade.

"Info -Yoruba Records is the record label of artists, Osunlade, Nadirah Shakoor, Erro, Djinji Brown, Santos, Piscean Group, Afefe Iku, Jimmy Abney, Quetzal Guerrero, Boddhi Savtva, Nomumbah, Suntzu Sound, Zoetic, Spyro, KB and Frank-I.

The label is owned and operated in Greece by founder and CEO Osunlade. Known for its deep house music, the label has in recent years contributed to a more diverse world music approach.

With it's signature dance music, Yoruba still holds as one of the most influential independent labels around today."

Abby Dobson - Sleeping Beauty - you are the one you have been waiting on - Sampler

I also covered this here - http://lifeandsoulreviews.blogspot.com/2008/05/abby-dobson-sleeping-beauty-you-are-one.html

Included here are some extra tracks, Deeply, Fly, Castle and Forgive Me.

Deeply is a great track, mellow funky vibe, but it is the powerful vocals that standout. The more I play these the more I like it, great stuff.

Having known Abby for some time now and seen her perform several times I hope that this release when it comes will give her the recognition not only that she deserves but her hard work demands.

Tony Rich Project - Exist - Hidden Beach (sampler)

http://www.hiddenbeach.com/

Just a taster from the very nice and very strong Tony Rich Project. Jordon being my pick

Rasheeda Wallace - Street Soul

http://www.myspace.com/rasheedawallacequeenofstreetsol
http://www.reverbnation.com/thequeenofstreetsoulrasheedawallace

A couple of showcases at the Soul Summit and Rasheeda showed a hard edged raunchy colourful side of Soul. Her vocal style comes across best in my view on the slower bluesier tracks like My Drug and Whatever you want. That said the uptemp numbers both live and on the album allow her positivity and character to come through. Like the vibe on Make me sick , probably my best cut.

"Info - Bio Edgy, Soulful & Classic are three words that can be used to describe the sounds of one of the most gifted and talented singers and songwriters in music history. Just like all the greats before her, ie. Ella, Patti, Chaka, Turner and Blige, Rasheeda Wallace has mastered and honed the ability, to tap into the collective conciousness of the masses and deliver a message through song. Whether that message is of love, joy or pain, or perhaps a combination of all three, her music has become food for the soul, for all those who seek to be uplifted, rejuvenated and healed. As a result of this divine capability, Rasheeda Wallace has been deemed, "The Queen of Street Soul"". Her lyrics, vocals and musical arrangements leaves each listener feeling a sense of self empowerment, in which we are always in need of and can use, time and time again. Developing her vocal abilities since the age of two, "The Queen of Street Soul" draws the majority of her vocal tenacity from her mother, who was also an aspiring singer from the Bronx, NY and who not only had a featured performance at The Cotton Club, but also performed in Vegas as well. Rasheeda remembers how her mother would not only sing her to sleep, but would also sing to her when she woke up in the morning. In addition Rasheeda's mother would always have music industry legends such as The Pointer Sisters, Chaka Khan, Dinah Washington, Oleta Adams, Al Jareau, Al Green and Anita Baker, to name a few, playing throughout the Wallace household at any given moment. Naturally there she was with her microphone singing with them all. In 1995, Rasheeda performed at the world reownked, Apollo Theater and captivated the not always easy to please audience to their feet three times in a row with standing ovations. She also had the privilege to perform on FOX 5's Good Day New York. As a result of these appearances, Rasheeda has been sought after by some of the music industries finest to not only perform with them, but to write and arrange music for them as well. From Chaka Khan to the Roc-a-fella records camp, Kymani Marley and the Pussycat Dolls, to name a few, it is quite evident the level of respect and honor that her peers in the industry have for her. As a supporter of Sanctuary House, a shelter for women who are victims of Domestic Violence, her tireless dedication and service to raising awareness and funding for the Anti-Domestic Violence Campaign, she received a Proclamation from the City of New York, by the Lieutenant Governor-David Patterson himself. With a continuously growing diverse fan base, it is inevitable that she will become a household name. “The Queen of Street Soul” .... Rasheeda Wallace"

Raphael Saadiq - The Way I see it
It was great that Raphael Saadiq turned up at the conference, as I would still put him into the genius category, but this set does absolutely nothing for me. As I have said elsewher before I see no point in replicating what has happened before- influences and history should be used to enhance, and this is where this falls short.

As compared to say Heston as an example, he quite freely uses a Marvin Gaye influence and uses it to enhance and build on the genre so you get advancement in the music. This motown-esque pastiche is no more than that- indeed it is very flat and one dimensional. I'd go so far as to say that it is harmful rather than progressive.

Heston - Storyteller

Only picked up the full album here but have given the previous EP a great deal of prominence and radio play since the previous summit some 15 months or more before.

Aside from being a great guy this is also a great album, and, compare the review above, is exactly where contemporary soul music should be - utilising old skool influences, using it and blending it, to make something fresh and progressive.

A fantastic album that desrves a whole lot, the key tracks like Distant Lover are top notch. Heston is at the forefront of the new soul age and rightly so. He works hard at it and I hope the rewards are forthcoming

Click picture to sample and buy

Info - Your favorite artist. Your favorite song. Your favorite place. The way that makes you fee...

Finally here comes an artist who is capable of bringing those feelings back. STORYTELLER, the debut album by Heston is an exceptionally well composed body of work.. Heston's got one of those instant classic voices, confidently sensuous and informed by the best side of mellow 70's soul. Nostalgic, yet very much his own.

With an equal talent for song writing and producing, his debut album release STORYTELLER, is timeless. Born on the island of Dominica, singer-songwriter Heston grew up with music all around him.. being surrounded by reggae, pop, classical, soul R&B and rock, music was commonplace and it is no surprise that radio along with a collection of his father's old records, would open the key to his soul and love for all types of music.. From Barbara Streisand to Aretha Franklin, The Bee Gees, Marvin Gaye, Elton John, Beres Hammond, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson(to name a few) each musician looped a thread into his soul and after listening to his music it is clear that he has been influenced by the best.

With a career in music that began in Atlanta, Ga, launched by a self-titled EP, he has defined his journey as a full-time musician, composer, songwriter and producer.. "Creating timeless music has always been my ultimate goal" says Heston with a poised yet humble demeanor. " I want to leave the world with music that can be played for a lifetime."

A pleasant, easygoing vocal manner coupled with sexy stage presence has consistently yielded a ground swelling of fans and lovers of his music. Heston's first single "Brand new You" of his debut album STORYTELLER is currently in rotation on Music Choice's R&B channel... His song "IF" is the theme song on BET"s ground breaking half-hour reality television show, Real Life Divas. "If" from his self titled EP became popular on SX satellite trough Airtran airways entertainment and such compilation as 'The Soul Lounge Vol. 1, Uk, This is Soul 2005, "IF" was also once listed as on of the most downloaded independent soul singles on ITunes.. "Angel" also from the self-titled EP closed the year 2003 as on the DJ Richard Searling's year end top 50 most played at Smoot FM Manchester UK.

Accompanied by a full band with foundational rhythms that stem back to his island and R&B soul roots, comprised of percussion, horns acoustic and electric guitars, his current independent album release, STORYTELLER, pull out all the stops.. Wit fifteen brilliantly composed tracks, tunes like "Brand New You" "Distant Lover and "Easy" lead the album and is expected to capture audiences with its slinky lover's groover and feel good music..Fifteen grooves. Fifteen Stories. Fifteen repeats.. Fifteen Classics.. Ladies and gentlemen... HESTON

More to come........................................

CD Baby Links - click picture to buy

2008-09-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

La Sonya Gunter - CrazyBeautiful

2008-08-27T10:02:00.000-07:00

Review - Click picture below to preview and purchase

I have had some conversations with people, La Sonya may have been one of them, about concept albums and the effect of iTunes and the like on them. Are concept albums dead because people can select and buy only particular tracks? Or if an album has a concept or a message will peope miss it because of new age purchasing methods?

This album is not a ‘concept’ album as such but it is very deep and personal.It’s strength lies in the fact that it is written about personal experiences, its effect, the despair and the hope, the highs and the lows. So in an underlying way it is conceptual.

This album is La Sonya, she follows no other path other than her own, she doesn’t follow any trend or style – it would be so easy to do that, it is not Urban, or Neo Soul, or whatever, it is La Sonya. For that reason she must command respect for laying this down. I’m sure some people will look for the ‘dancefloor’ track, the ‘neo’ track, the ‘hiphop’ track, but that’s not the way this album works – it is La Sonya laying her Soul bare. Crazy yes Beautiful yes.

Go has a Spanish acoustic feel, fast paced with lilting sax, with strong passionate heartfelt vocals, setting the scene. Sitting here is funkier, pondering on the actions taken in the relationship.

The art of writing whether it is in fiction, in song or even in comedy, is the ability to give the reader or the listener a picture, an image, a feeling, an empathy, Sweet surrender ft Chester Gregory describes perfectly the depths of, the subconscious or unconscious things that one submits to in a relationship.

Musically Everything but you doesn’t do much for me in that it is a drivng rock orientated song but it does add another nuance and continue the storyline. Are you ready ft Hanifah Watilda musically changes genres to an Urban funky sound as we move into the phase where it’s not all about him, its about me to, culminating in Ode to the playa telling it like it is.

Crazybeautiful starts of in a Georgio Moroder stylee but actually evolves into a spoken word.

Tears is interesting in that it is intense and sorrowful, yet the track is light and uplifting. Mm hmm is an upbeat track, possibly the most instant and the one that sticks in your head as you hum along to it.

Doubt of love summarises the confusion of it all. Sometimes contains lots of influences, as does the whole album really, electro, hip hop, string samples, lots going on.

Here in NYC raises the questions, what next, why am I here, do I need to be here, things have changed – La Sonya didn’t we talk about this, just before I left last time I saw you! Ha!

This is how we living The Remix ft John Gordon concludes with a funky remix of a track from the BlakGerl album which is astonishingly 8 years old.

I know the effort and the sacrifices that have been made in getting this album completed and on to the streets. It is well produced and well structured and stands together as a great piece. La Sonya has opened up and created a work to be proud of, which will appeal on that level. What I have described as being a great strength – the concept and individualness - however may sadly be its achilles heal, in that it doesn’t have the ‘big’ track that gets latched on to that helps sell the album. I hope not because it deserves to be heard.

Tracks: -1 - Intro2 - go 3- sitting here 4 - sweet surrender 5 - everything but you 6 - are you ready ft Hanifah Watilda 7 - ode to the playa 8 - crazybeautiful 9 - tears 10- mmm hmm 11 - doubt of love 12 - sometimes 13 - here in NYC 14 - The Remix

Links -
http://www.lasonyagunter.com/index.htm
http://www.myspace.com/lasonyagunter

Cdbaby.com/lasonyagunter
Zoomoozik.com/lasonyagunter

Bio:-

For LaSonya Gunter, art does not merely imitate life, it feeds it. She sings of the questions we have all pondered like "Where is my place in this world?" and "How do I cope with life’s struggles?" Though the questions may be pointed, Gunter’s jazzy alto takes the edge off while beckoning us to explore the answers with her.

Detroit native always knew that music was her destiny. At age three she began displaying her vocal gift by standing and singing on the kitchen table. Later, like many great vocalists, she found inspiration in the church. Growing up during the 80’s her biggest influences were soul and jazz legends like Donny Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman, and Sarah Vaughn. She recalls, "I t was the emotional depth of the vocals in soul and jazz that stirred me. I wanted to be a part of this."

As an only child Gunter’s most fervent ally was her grandfather, Jesse Gunter, who always encouraged her musical talents. A period of exploration led her to study fashion at renowned FIT in New York City. Yet, a string of disappointments including the untimely death of her grandfather, urged Gunter to rethink her choices. It was this catharsis that not only drew her back to music, but also lent itself the creative backbone of Blak Gerl, her debut project.

The journey to Blak Gerl was an uphill one. Gunter believes that "God helps those who help themselves" and understands the courage and sacrifice required to crystallize one’s dream. Blak Gerl was released independently on Gunter’s on Blak Dol Recordings in conjunction with Regular Records. She and executive producer, Jessie Khan, work arduously in promoting and exposing the album. Gunter emphasizes the importance of support from loved ones. "You must surround yourself with people who genuinely take your best interest to heart. No one does this alone."

A musical composite of soul and jazz with a folk sensibility, Blak Gerl, showcases Gunter’s vocals as well as her writing and arranging abilities. Going beyond its title, the album offers much for any listener who has loved, struggled, dreamt, and pondered.

Fatima Thomas.
Press Release

For Immediate Release
"CRAZYBEAUTIFUL"

LaSonya Gunter

LaSonya Gunter has been generating quite a buzz in the independent music scene.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, LaSonya brings the urban female persona to new heights with a soulful blend of rock, pop, classical and hip/hop mixed with jazz influences. La Sonya’s deep, smoky vocals have been described as a cross between Sade, Des’ree and Sarah Vaughn. Ms. Gunter’s music has also been described as “A funky socio- soul experience.

La Sonya Gunter’s new CD “CRAZYBEAUTIFUL”, her sophomore project, is an eclectic, yet funky blend of soul, poetry, hip/hop, rock and operatic self-expression. ”There is something for e veryone on this CD”. “This project is special to me because it is more personal and emotional”, says La Sonya “I have had some turning points in my life and in my career”. “This compelled me to open up write about those things and bring them out into the world”. ” Each song has strong lyrical content and tells a story about love, life and pursuing your dreams”.” I write the way I sing, from my heart and soul”.” I also had the pleasure of working with some phenomenal producers, musicians and other talented artists.”

Performing throughout New York City and nationwide, La Sonya has had the opportunity to work with some talented forces in the industry such as Herbie Hancock, Brian McKnight and Bruce Willis. Her latest venture was singing background for Gloria Gaynor.

For More Information and for song previews, please visit:
www.zoomoozik.com/lasonyagunter

Press inquiries please contact Rory Rogers at pr@zoomoozik.com for more information.
PR@ZOOMOOZIK.COM

Nhojj

2008-08-03T08:30:00.001-07:00

tbc

Mose Stovall - Groove U

2008-08-03T08:29:00.001-07:00

click link to preview or purchase

Links: -
http://soul1st.com/
http://www.soulchoonz.com/Featured_Artists/Mose_Stovall.html

Info:-
The Mose storySoul1st Records is proud to introduce the next big soul music star. One of the South's premiere voices. This is a very energetic singer full of soul. There is fun happening on stage in every song. When you come out to hear Mose Stovall and, your feet will be tapping and fingers will be snapping from the smooth sounds of Mose Stovall. Be it old school or new school this artist and his band Pharcyde does music tunes like no other! Mose has joined the Soul1st music family and has released his first LP entitled, Groove U Baby” which can be purchased at www.soul1st.com; www.cdbaby.com/mosestovall2 and record stores everywhere. Mose’s band has a five member instrumental panel with two lead vocalist. They have an exceptional ability to pull off any song they do. So keep your eyes and ears open. From choppy down home blues to smooth melodic ballads. You'll get what you came for and more. R&B soul artist Mose Stovall is a sure crowd pleaser. His original songs sound great the first time you hear them, because he really delivers. Welcome to the next big thing in soul music: Mose Stovall

Kamal Supreme

2008-08-03T08:27:00.003-07:00

tbc

Beverley Walker

2008-08-03T08:27:00.001-07:00

TBC

Omar Cunningham - Time Served

2008-08-03T08:26:00.001-07:00

click pic to preview and purchase
Links: -
http://soul1st.com/home.html
http://www.soulchoonz.com/Album_Reviews/Omar_Cunningham.html

Info
Omar Cunningham has a style that is uniquely his own. His lyrics are coated with his smooth voice and his stage presence is mesmerizing. Having up close and personal contact with his fans is all a part of Omar Cunningham’s style. He likes to shake his fans hands and get close while performing so they know they are truly appreciated. To see Omar Cunningham perform is a pure delight and one you won’t forget any time soon. In late 2007, Omar signed a new recording contract with upstart label Soul 1st Records headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama. Soul 1st owner, Attorney Reginald McDaniel and Omar Cunningham have known each other for 20 years and a production company of McDaniel’s, was the first to record Omar as a solo artist in the late nineties before Omar decided to enter a career in law enforcement. “He had some great songs then and a lot of interest from record labels, even then”, McDaniel says. “But his new album, “Time Served” will break new ground for Omar and Southern Soul music. “We are fortunate to have him on Soul 1st Records.” Omar’s new CD “Time Served “produced by Soul1st Records is flavored with songs such as the lead single, “My Life” which tells of how he made it through hard times growing up in Gadsden, Alabama to become the artist and man he is today with strong maternal family support. “The Right Woman”, which is one of Omar’s favorites, tells of a man finally finding that right lady. “Same Soap” is definitely a song men and women will relate to if they have experienced creeping on the low and having to go home after such encounters. Omar does an update of his 2003 monster hit “Check to Check” with “Check to Check 2008”which adds a new funkier soul track produced by R&B veteran producer Robert Harris that will have the clubs jumping. “This Old Music” is a fun party track reminiscing about the good old days of soul m music and a sure hit to come. On the personal side, Omar belts out the soulful ballads “Ain’t Nothing Changed” and “Beauty Shop”, both chronicling the ups and downs of relationships from inside and outside of the relationship. “If You Want Me” will take fans back to the days of Marvin Gaye as Omar croons for his woman to tell him what she wants. Omar brings it home with the inspirational “Where Would I Be” in which he gives praise to the man above for bringing him through the trials and tribulations of life. Each track on this CD is a standout on its own merit, including the danceable “That My Jam”; the heart-tugging ballad, “By My Side” and up tempo masterpiece “Could You Be”. Omar teams mostly with Robert Harris to produce most of the tracks, but really made this album one with his personal touch of songs that will keep his legion of Southern Soul fans happy and open the door to R&B fans across the board. “Time Served” is well served for the fans. Omar says he has worked hard to bring a fresh sound to the soul and blues world, a sound that blends soul and gospel with honest situations and playful lyrics. Omar stated in an interview with JSU: “Everybody has, at one point in time, had the blues, so if you make if through the blues you’ve got to be thankful to God that He brought you from one point to another. So, I sing blues but I’ve got to say that my first love is gospel music and everything that I’m able to do comes from God. In my songs, I’m just telling some of the hardships that I’ve been through and some hardships that my friends have been through, and I’m thankful to God that I made it.”Now a member of the Soul 1st Music Entertainment family Omar has blended these two sounds and worlds beautifully. When asked about how he feels joining the “Soul 1st Music family he has this to say: “I feel like I’m free to be the artist I am and grow because I am home with Soul 1st. These guys are some of the people who helped give me my start in this business and now I can help them build a new label that can grow into a major force in the music industry. I strongly believe we will grow into one of the most respected labels anywhere.”Omar has enjoyed the success of three albums, “Hell At The House” which was released on the On Top imprint in 2003 and featured artistic input from Sir Charles Jones amongst others, and his self-entitled CD Omar Cunningham and Worth The Wait released on the EndZone Entertainment record label in 2004 and 2005, respectfully. All of Omar’s CD’s have yielded number 1 and number 2 singles, on the soul and blues chart, and Omar Cunningham has been nominated for several Jackson Music Awards in his short but exciting career including Entertainer of the Year in 2007.Billboard Magazine also listed Omar Cunningham’s first album released on the On Top imprint in 2003 titled Hell At The House, at number 80. Billboard also stated that Omar Cunningham is the first black artist whose first blues CD has made its national chart. They also listed his CD in its Top 20 Blues category.One of Omar Cunningham’s biggest moments in his career to date was being able to perform on the finale night of the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival with Alicia Keys in Montego Bay. Other performers were: India Arie, Nancy Wilson, Kenny Rogers, Michael McDonald, Bobby Womack, and Cassandra Wilson. While Omar was the only one in the show who hasn’t received a Grammy, he was honored to be able to share the stage with these phenomenonal entertainers. Omar has also had the pleasure of performing and touring with Bobby Bland, Willie Clayton, The Manhattans, Shirley Brown, Mel Waiters, Theodis Ealey, Calvin Richardson and others. As he embarks on the New Year with his new release for 2008, Omar is looking to expand his touring to more parts of the United States and abroad while continuing to write for other artists. Keep an eye out for Mr. Omar Cunningham as wonderful things are happening for him and he is surely one of the most promising stars on the rise to greatness. Visit www.soul1st.com.

Steve Wallace

2008-08-03T08:25:00.003-07:00

TBC

http://www.myspace.com/stevewallacemusic

http://www.stevewallacemusic.com/

Sophia Nelson

2008-08-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

TBC

VenueConnection- Madrid Boogie

2008-08-03T08:24:00.003-07:00

http://www.soulchoonz.com/Album_Reviews/Madrid_Boogie.html

Interesting album with lots of World influences, but principally funk.

Madrid Boogie is funky and upbeat. Cool Vanilla is laid back and funky.

Stay at home is the top cut for me, latin kind of groove, great horns and very much dancefloor orientated, certainly the track I have been focussing on both out and on the radio.

Ashanti Munir - Balance

2008-08-03T08:24:00.001-07:00

Click link to preview and purchase

Links
http://www.soulchoonz.com/Album_Reviews/Ashanti_Munir.html

A strong album with several key tracks like I'm staying home tonight which is getting big club plays, I'll be there and Lovers and friends

Info:-
Ashanti Munir was blessed with a one of kind voice. Kay Bourne from the Boston Banner newspaper once wrote, “Ashanti Munir’s pure and powerful voice brought emotional sunshine to the cloudy day.” In 1992 Ashanti won the historical .Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater in NYC. “It was the biggest musical highlight of my life!” she said flashing her million-dollar smile. Ashanti was nominated for a 2006 New England Urban Music Award. She sang background vocals on “Doo Wah Diddy” and “Girl You Know” on Leon Beal, Jr.’s Cd titled “Romantic Groove.” On March 30, 2008 Ashanti sang the national anthem for the Harlem Globetrotters at the TDBanknorth Garden in Boston. (Home of the World Champion Boston Celtics!) She followed that up by singing background vocals for Michael Buble at the Verizon Center in Manchester, NH. She is a passionate performer and has been doing so for over twenty years. She often leaves her audiences in awe wondering how they’ve never heard of this supremely talented lady before. Her musical influences are Whitney Houston, Erykah Badu, Anita Baker, Nancy Wilson, Gladys Knight and Regina Belle.

July 26, 2008 will mark 5 months since Ashanti Munir’s debut CD titled Balance was introduced to the world. The 9-track set was released via the internet (CDBaby.com) on February 26, 2008. Ashanti has gone from being an unknown artist to being known internationally in just 5 months! From the very beginning DJs around England were playing several tracks simultaneously. “Lovers And Friends”, “Follow Your Heart” and the title track “Balance” all received equal airplay. On March 21, 2008 the leadoff single “I’m Staying Home Tonight” was introduced via the Soul Heaven Show on Starpoint Radio in England. As of today it is still going strong on Solar Radio in London as well as stations all around the world! It looks like the “Steppers” in England will keep it going throughout the summer of ’08! The CD “Balance” remained at #4 on the Solar Radio charts from May 19, 2008 until June 24, 2008 and in the Top 10 until June 26, 2008! Ashanti was recently interviewed live on air on June 16, 2008 by Gary Spence at Solar Radio.

The CD “Balance” is receiving rave reviews internationally! Barry Towler of Soulchoonz Promotions in London said “If you love Lalah Hathaway as a vocalist then Ashanti Munir is for you!” Gordon Stone from England’s “Soulwalking” said “I have placed the woman's new set along with the probable album of 2008!” Jorg Michael Schmitt of Sonic Soul in Germany and Sergio Scarpelli of JazzMasters in Brazil also wrote glowing reviews about Balance!

The Allstars Collective - All about the music

2008-08-03T08:22:00.001-07:00

TBC

Sam Bostic - Soul Supreme

2008-08-03T08:21:00.001-07:00

TBC

The Birmingham Sound - The Soul of Neal Hemphill Vol 2

2008-08-03T08:20:00.000-07:00

tbc

Curtis Michael - Silence the violence

2008-08-03T08:19:00.001-07:00

TBC

Pheel - A mothers prayer

2008-08-03T08:18:00.002-07:00

TBC

Razzberry - Be Yourself

2008-08-03T08:18:00.001-07:00

TBC

Wiley and the Checkmates - We call it soul

2008-08-03T08:17:00.000-07:00

TBC

Stephanie McKay - Tell it like it is

2008-08-03T08:15:00.000-07:00

TBC

Myself - Protest in Disguise

2008-07-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Review - One for the more broad minded, as this contains an array of different styles, and rather than getting lost in the melange, it pushes barriers, is expansive and broadens outlooks.

That said Baby... You Drive Me Crazy is too rock orientated for my liking. Aside from that though the mix of jazz, blues, reggae, funk, soul and hip hop with a punky edge is organic, dynamic and fresh.

Lyrically too the album is full of consciousness, local and wordly, covering global issues, inequalities and injustices, as well as family life and US politicisms.

God Is So Funky/ Goddess So Funky is moody, mellow hip hop with amusing yet thoughtful lyrics, funky in a Pfunk , Bootsy kind of way. The DJ Moosaka Chung King Remix is also worth checking out.

Keep the Fire Burnin' is the standout track for me, with jazzy funky horns, and a pace bordering on Drum and Bass until it mellows out.

Where We Going? is reggae influenced, haunting melody, with some rock and African thrown in for good measure. Only thing I got is a very nice laid back reggae Dub.

Rude Boy is a fast paced ska track, musically it's Good but vocally a bit messy.

A complex and wide raging mix of styles.

Tracks: - 1 Keep the Fire Burnin' 2 Easy Come 3 God Is So Funky/ Goddess So Funky 4 Baby... You Drive Me Crazy 5 A Woman Named Nina 6 Black Mama
7 Katrina 8 Where We Going? 9 Get Up! 10 Rude Boy 11 Movement
12 Stereotype 13 Still Aint Ready (Dedicated to James Brown & J. Dilla) 14 Be That Way (Live in Concert - Bonus Protest Song)

Click pictures to purchase and preview.

Info: - MTV Jams & Billboard Magazine featured artist MYSELF drops his latest album project "Protest in Disguise". The critically acclaimed artist MYSELF is being hailed as the SAVIOUR of HIP HOP ROCK music .ushering in an innovative style of his own we call it P

MYSELF is working with music icon Nile Rodgers on this project. MYSELF has toured and/or collaborated with Grammy Winning Platinum artists The Roots,Dead
Prez,Arrested Development and Public Enemy. Below is MYSELF links,fan
sites,music samples,pics,bio and recent press/media clips. Marketing of
the album project is being handled by GIANT STEP.

MYSELF
Protest In Disguise DJ Promo Sampler
http://www.giantstep.net/newsletter/080512_Myself
www.giantstep.net/releases/1832
www.myspace.com/couturemusicwearinc
www.cdbaby.com/myself3

Official Press Release:
RECORDING ARTIST:MYSELF
Couture Music Wear/Sumthing Distribution/Giant Step

"PUNK RAP" is a style of MYSELF's own, mixing alternative rock with classic organic hip hop!!!

(Bio)The man behind the microphone known as MYSELF will release his new critical acclaimed album "Protest in Disguise" bonus tracks on (Couture Music Wear/Sumthing Distribution). New Orleans native & New York city transplant MYSELF pushes the creative envelope to the outer limits on his new album. The record was recorded at The Legendary Chung King Studios NYC (Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Run-DMC, Nas & many many others). "Protest in Disguise" combines the social/political-conscious energy of a Public Enemy / Rage Against The Machine record. The album starts off with a blazing hot funky street anthem "Keep the fire burnin'" and half way through it blends roots rock, hip hop, soul, and jazz like not too many albums been able to accomplish!!

The album is receiving heavy airplay on college,alternative & internet/satellite radio stations. A summer/ fall Protest Tour is in the works. MYSELF has worked, toured and collaborated with industry notables such as DJ Logic, Dead Prez, Nile Rodgers,The Meters, Public Enemy,Rebirth Brass Band, Incubus, Arrested Development, Dr.Israel and a slew of other great artists!! The new album was released on June 17th.

Giant Step the global brand will be handling the Alternative/ New Media- Lifestyle Marketing for MYSELF's album campaign. Kevin Connal
( President of EMG Management ) will be representing the artist MYSELF. Kevin has worked with Jay- Z,Fergie,Gwen Stefani,Beyonce',Red Hot Chilli Peppers,Outkast,Ludacris,Audioslave and Pharell Williams,Heidi Klum and SEAL.

For more info,booking, press/ media inquires,tour dates,exclusives contact:
Couture Music Wear,Inc.
646.280.6003
myself@thecouturelabel.com
pr@thecouturelabel.com
Video:-

Rachel Brown - Love Life & Relationships

2008-07-15T12:15:00.000-07:00

Review - If we need to classify this album probably falls more into a 'classic' soul category rather than 'neo' or 'urban' soul but thats not a bad thing. The whole project, especially considering independent budgets, is very strong, the quality of the songs, the quality of the performance and the production is exceptional.

The first song hits you real hard, Rise Again, is dynamic, powerful and soulful. Learn To Love Me follows it with pleading heartfelt lyrics with 'string' samples adding to the dynamism.

Also lending on classic soul is a fine version of Don't Ask My Neighbor.

Weekend is funkier and more upbeat, lighter lyrically and good fun. In fact the quality and the pace never lets up - the whole package is very consistent so even on random play you're gonna get something good.

Spend The Night is a bit poppy for my personal taste but can still see it appealing to people. Where Did We Go Wrong has an Urban bump to it

Let's Fall In Love Again changes tempos and style again, a nice little stepper, maybe a UK kind of track! Do What You Do has a real nice vibe and is my kind of track with a catchy mello-funky bassline to it.

Make It Official, I like to, it is sparcer, kind of funky, but that allows the vocal to stand strong , though the 'scratchy bits'! could be just a tad lower in the mix I feel.

Continuing the love theme is a fairly typical love duet with Reno Walker Promise Of Love.

Moving away from a love theme is Something To Think About (My Child Intro) and My Child, and concludes with a remix of Let's Fall In Love Again (Izzy Iz Dance Remix)

All in a very strong and worthwhile album.

Tracks 1 Thank You (Intro) 2 Rise Again 3 Learn To Love Me 4 Don't Ask My Neighbor 5 Weekend 6 Spend The Night 7 Where Did We Go Wrong 8 Let's Fall In Love Again 9 Do What You Do 10 Just A Girl 11 Make It Official 12 Promise Of Love 13 Something To Think About (My Child Intro) 14 My Child 15 Let's Fall In Love Again (Izzy Iz Dance Remix)

Links -
http://www.rachelbrownlive.com/
http://www.myspace.com/rachelbrownlive

Click picture to purchase and preview

Info:- On her debut CD "Love, Life & Relationships," Urban Music Group recording artist Rachel Brown introduces a new and exciting R&B sound. With powerful vocals and insightful lyrics, Rachel delicately blends urban dance grooves, love ballads and inspirational messages as she explores the deepest emotions within our heart and soul.

Rachel's vocal textures are smooth, sultry and soulful. With every note, her vocal timbres grab you and lead you on a fulfilling journey of personal rediscovery.

"Love, Life, & Relationships" is a breath of fresh air and fills a much needed gap in the R&B marketplace. Rachel oozes with class, style, excitement and sheet urban elegance. Her love and respect for R&B music is evident in every lyric and beat.

Rachel's beauty is undeniable, and her music will empower the spirit and nourish the soul. Once arraive in Rachel's world, you will want to linger. So bring your passport, hold on tight, and get ready for an incredible ride.

Modern Musings………grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

2008-07-03T05:47:00.000-07:00

Modern Musings………grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

The Sunburst Band Most cuts (UK Z Records CD “Moving With The Shakers”)

The live performance from the Sunburst Band at the recent Southport Weekender was a fitting finale to a superb weekend. Cuts like “Everyday”, Twinkle” and “Fly Away” from the last long player are still finding favour on the UK modern scene, and here we have some more great material to add to that strong back-catalogue. Unless you’ve been living in a cave you’ll be familiar with the lead single “Rough Times”, released a couple of months ago on 12”. A killer dancer featuring vocals from Yolanda Wynns. You may also be familiar with the cut “We Can Live Forever”, which I amongst others have been giving some exposure to, being available in shortened form on the last “Lust” CD compilation put together by the brains behind Sunburst Band, Joey Negro. This is a super uplifting semi-vocal with a rousing hook complete with strings and things. Anyway, the good news is it appears hear in it’s entirety for us to really get lost in. “Our Lives Are Shaped” is probably the killer of the new cuts on the CD, featuring the great vocals of Mr Pete Simpson. How I wish the title cut were a full length vocal effort, as it’s a sublime piece of mid-tempo soul. Damn it!

The Chestnut Brothers Whole Lotta You In Me (Grown & Sexy Mix)/Come To Me (US Abdent CDS)

Well, what a pleasant surprise when this dropped on the mat a few weeks ago. One of the classic cuts of the 90’s gets a super re-work for 2008, giving this tune a whole new lease of life and making it so right for today. It has to be said that, though I love it, the production values of the original sound harsh with the passing of time, and that is most definitely addressed with this new mix. This should do big business on the dance floors when it becomes more widely available. The other cut is completely new to me, being a ballad of great merit.

Incognito Most cuts (UK Dome CD “Tales From The Beach”)

Bluey and cohorts return with their latest full-length offering, originally released in Japan, as a two-disk package with DVD, and now available at a sensible price in the UK through our friends at Dome records. If you’re a fan of Incognito you’ll know what to expect, and if you’re not, have a listen to what you’re missing. The usual vocalists are in full effect: Maysa Leak, Imaani, Joy Rose, Tony Momrelle. Maysa appears on one of my picks, the delightful dancer “I’ve Been Waiting”, which trips along nicely with great brass stabs in and out. Taking the pace down a touch, Tony Momrelle handles lead on “When The Sun Comes Down”, with uncanny similarity to the legendary Stevie Wonder. Joy Rose takes lead on the urgent, percussion led and therefore slightly funky “Step Aside”. Brilliant! “N.O.T.” rides a wicked bass line with a nice shuffling feel provided by choppy cymbal work. Cool! There’s the great jazz-funk of “Never Look Back”, with nice scat vocals from Maysa. There are a couple of mellow moments to make this a well rounded album. If you dig Incognito then you’ll sure dig “Tales From The Beach”. Purchase essential!

The Embers Most cuts (US Bluewater Recordings CD “The Show Must Go On”)

The Embers may be a familiar name to many of you reading this, and here they deliver a solid CD for Bluewater Recordings out of the USA. Listeners to my Starpoint Radio show (plug, plug!!) will be familiar with the lead single “The Last Time I’m Saying Goodbye”, which served as a pretty good taster of what’s on here. Other picks for me are “You’re The Reason” is a nice free-flowing mid-tempo number, and the easier, melodic “Makin’ Love Too You”. “You Mean The World To Me Baby”, though a little twee, has a certain charm, but for more traditional soul fans this is an unmissable set from these veterans, and apparent movers and shakers of the US Beach Music scene.

Duane Williams Yes, My Love Is Real (UK Soul Junction 7”)

Despite the threat of extinction of vinyl releases posed by the MP3 world we live in, it seems that there is a real resurgence of interest in the vinyl 7” single, albeit for the specialist markets. Here we have a nice mid-tempo affair from one half of duo Beverly & Duane, released on John Anderson’s new Soul Junction imprint. If you’re not familiar with this guy, then I would liken his vocal style to that of ex Soul Children man J. Blackfoot. I’m not sure when this bass-heavy number was actually recorded, but I can imagine it having appeal to both the traditionalists amongst you, whilst not being dismissed by the new release merchants.

The Rhythm All-Stars Hold Me/What You Won’t Do For Love (US Jomar CD “The Rhythm All-Stars”)

Lot’s of noise being made at present about this album, and it sure has its moments, in the main appealing to the “real soul” brigade rather than the “nu soul” cats. As you know, in this column it matters little what the style is, as we just prefer to sort the good from the bad. Lead vocals for this 6-piece outfit are handled by one Geoff McBride, whom I assume is the same Geoff McBride that brought us the “Do You Remember Love” LP for Arista in the early 90’s. Anyway, a fine rasping voice he has, which I feel is best demonstrated, as is the band and production, on the down tempo numbers. “Hold Me” is just a breathtaking piece of lilting soul with great vocal phrasing. This could feature highly in my 2008 year end chart. “Come Back Home”, another ballad, runs this a close second: rim shots, acoustic guitar and piano providing a simple yet effective accompaniment. For me, many of the more up tempo numbers, despite Geoff’s vocal performance, are either too bluesy for my taste, or spoilt by the dreaded synth. For that reason, unfortunately the best dance floor moment comes in the shape of a cover. That said if you’re going to do a cover, best make it a goody. Here it’s Bobby Caldwell’s “What You Won’t Do For Love” that gets the treatment, a great mid-tempo stepper that manages to stay on the right side of the synth-o-meter………………just. Most definitely worthy of a purchase.

The Bamboos feat. Kylie Auldist I Don’t Wanna Stop (Marc Mac Grown Soul Mix) (UK Tru Thoughts 12”)

Quite a big buzz on this record recently and understandably so. Whilst I think the album version is more organic in feel, Marc (4 Hero) Mac’s mix introduces a more contemporary sound, whilst retaining an earthy feel through Kylie Audlist’s vocal style. This trips along nicely for the dance floor and is one of those records which once heard will have the hook running round in your head for days. Trust me if you hear this at the local dance you’ll wake up next morning singing the hook, which I guess is what a good record is all about in the end. Good stuff and I’ll be interested to hear the full album.

A few quickies then (oh er missus!)………..on the vinyl front, there’s the great 12” from US King Street featuring the Kerri Chandler mix of one of my favourites of last year “Found Him” by Studio Apartment feat. Monique Bingham.

Also on vinyl from the same stable is the great “Life Time” by DJ Roland Clark/Urban Soul, with the Doll’s Combers Mix the one to go for. “Merry Go Round” from Kimara Lovelace on UK Newlite Muzik 12 has been floating my boat for a couple of months now, and on the ultra soulful tip, Ken Scott feat. Jimmie Wilson “Down In My Soul” is great, released on US White Lotus Club. Again on the ultra soulful tip, check out Gregory Del Piero feat. Kenny Bobien “Don’t You Ever Get” on Raisani 12” out of Europe, for the Kings of Deep soulful remix. Staying with the house, but on the CD tip, if compilations are your thing you could do worse than to invest in the latest in the Stereo Sushi range, namely Vol #12, as it contains some recent 12” gems plus a few tasty unreleased numbers. Oh, on 7” vinyl, look out for an obscure looking release from cult hero Amp Fiddler, with a full vocal live version of “I’m Doin’ Fine”…….cooler than cool, and I nearly forgot that one!

Out of Japan, the Jaheim CD is worth the extra coin for bonus cut “Roster”. Big R&B for the dance floors. Again from the land of the rising sun is the Richard Earnshaw CD; great stuff therein from one of the UK’s finest remixers/producers. Look out for cool new US indie CD’s from Alex Lattimore, the voice of Jiva, and his set “Promise”, sounding uncannily like the great Will Downing. Toni Redd delivers what I believe to be her second long player, and great it is for lovers of the late, great Phyllis Hyman. On the southern soul tip, the “Bruce Billups Re-Loaded Southern Soul Mix” CD is essential if only for the Lebrado dancer “Beautiful”. Then there’s the Omar Cunningham (“Time Served”), Maurice (“How Can You Say You Love Me”) and Rue Davis (“Return of A Legend”) CD’s. The new Clifton Dyson “Songs Of Inspiration” CD is worth a punt, with guest vocals from one Marc Staggers. On the jazzy tip, don’t judge a book by its cover and dismiss the Vladimir Cetkar CD “We Will Never End” out of hand. Some wicked jazz/fusion lies within!!

Mark Randle’s Starpoint Radio playlist for May 2007:

Alex Lattimore – Kissing You (US Alex JDot Productions CD) The Sunburst Band – Our Lives Are Shaped (UK Z Records CD)
Gina Green – Dreamin’ (US Gico Music CD) Chieko Kinbara feat. Dee 7 – Live Your Life Today (JAP Grand Gallery CD)
Mary’s Mine – Marvin (Rob’s Seductive Soul Vibe) (EU Sundae Soul MP3) Tortured Soul – Special Lady (US Tortured Soul CDS)
Studio Apartment feat. Monique Bingham – Found Him Clifton Dyson – Come Journey With Me (US PGF Records CD)
(Kerri Chandler Bigga Vocal Mix) (US King Street MP3) Rue Davis – Tell Me, When Was The Last Time (US Boomtown Records CD)
Reel People feat. Darien – Upside (Bugz Upside Mix) (UK Papa 12”) Duane Williams – Yes, My Love Is Real (UK Soul Junction 7”)
Incognito – I’ve Been Waiting (JAP Handcuts Records CD) A.T. Jones Jr. – Your Love Is The Feeling (US Soulful Sally Productions CD)
Toni Redd – Love Is Gone (US Real Redd Music CD) Angela Johnson feat. Rahsaan Patterson – Dream Flight (UK Dome CD)
Mint Condition – Nothing Left To Say (US CagedBird Records CD) Tamara Wellons – Like Rain (Movement Soul Mix) (US Ocha MP3)
Pirahnahead – TimeLoveLIFE (Main Mix) (US Whasdat? MP3) Cynthia Jones – Take Me Back (US Kingdom Records CD)
The Rhythm All-Stars – Hold Me (US Jomar CD)

SIMPLY SOUL MAIL ORDER HOT TEN SALES
(w/c 26 May 2008)

1. Sunburst Band - Moving With The Shakers (UK Z Records CD)
2. Lalah Hathaway - Self Portrait (JAP Stax CD)
3. Ledisi - In The Morning (Remix) (US Restricted Access 12”)
4. Gina Foster - B Side Of Love (UK Expansion 7”)
5. Al Green - Lay It Down (US Bluenote CD)
6. Incognito - Tales From The Beach (UK Dome CD)
7. Nikita Germaine - Just Kita (US Family Tree CD)
8. Alex Lattimore - Promise (US Alex JDot CD)
9. Toni Redd - N The Key Of Redd (US Real Redd CD)
10. Rhythm All-Stars - Rhythm All-Stars (US Jomar CD)

Keep it soulful! Mark Randle (May 2008)

Peter Hadar - Painted

2008-07-03T05:38:00.001-07:00

Angie Whitney - Thats what love is all about

2008-07-02T14:14:00.000-07:00

Angie Whitney's debut CD "That's What Love Is All About" is a delicate, yet powerful blend of sophisticated smooth jazz/ urban AC vocals and sultry saxophone, layered with perfect harmonies and strings. Like an expensive Merlot, it draws you in slow and easy with the tracks "Don't Tease Me Now" and "Love Me By Name" then finishes with the lighter upbeat "Sweet Love Affair." Angie Whitney began singing at an early age in church, and continued after high school touring with The Spinners.

For fans of : Phyllis Hyman, Deniece Williams, Rachelle Ferrell
Streaming Tracks

Don't Tease Me:
http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/angie/dont-tease-me-angie-whitney.wma

Love Me By Name:
http://wms7.streamhoster.com/elemental/angie/love-me-by-name-angie-whitney.wma

http://www.littledizzyrecords.com/

Jonas - Sweet Dreams Guaranteed

2008-07-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

Jonas - Sweet Dreams Guaranteed - soul music at MobileundergroundJonas started playing music at an early age- initially banging on pots and pans but quickly moving on to guitar, bass, drums and a bit of piano. The greatest revelation to Jonas though, was when he discovered Stevie Wonder’s album “Songs In The Key Of Life” in his fathers record shelves. Stevie landed on the recordplayer and ignited Jonas’ passion for singing. This passion has stayed with Jonas to great success ever since.

After having played in numerous bands during his teenage years, Jonas formed the soul band Jonz with 4 other talented musicians. After only 3 gigs, the band got signed to a worldwide deal with Sony Music. This lead to a tight working relationship with manager Keith Harris (Stevie Wonder, Omar, Lynden David Hall) and producer Pete Smith (Randy Crawford, Joe Cocker, Sting) making the critically acclaimed debut album “Where It’s At”. The single “Sleeping” was #1 on the national danish airplay chart, and made waves in various parts of the world. Even Stevie Wonder was caught humming one of Jonas’ songs, and said “when can I get my copy of the album?”

After a couple of years Jonas parted ways with Jonz, and has since then been working on his own solo material. Besides this, he has been involved in countless projects on the side with other musicians, producers and songwriters all over the world including writing songs with the late Lynden David Hall; co-fronting the 17 piece soul collective Nu Soul Connexion; working as vocal-producer on many danish albums. The latest addition to collaborations is an EP and a full length album the hip hop and soul project SWEATSHOP (www.myspace.com/sweatshopdk) entitled “The Hustle”.

The last several years Jonas has been touring Europe extensively as backing singer and support act with the multi-ethnic hip hop group Outlandish. On the tour Jonas have received a hugely positive response everywhere. As a result of the Outlandish tour and Jonas’ undeniable talent, the music industry all over the globe started to take notice of his music. Jonas was acknowledged Unsigned artist of the month at www.vibinmusic.co.uk, and Essential Album in Blues & Soul Magazine. Many of the the album’s songs enjoying extensive airplay on radios from Nuuk to NYC…

Jonas debut album “Sweet Dreams Guaranteed” has been created with songwriters, musicians and producers from Copenhagen, New York, Milwaukee and London. Jonas spent time in the studio in USA with George Nash Jr and Demonté Posey - the main guys behind American soul icon Eric Benét. The time was used writing, recording and producing, which a.o. gave birth to the song “Things Gotta Change”, which features bass legend Pino Palladino and brass innovator Roy Hargrove. Both Pino and Roy are known for putting their magic touches to albums by the biggest icons in the genre, so this surely was a dream come true to Jonas.

Jonas’ music is a modern interpretation of soul. Inspiration comes mainly from the old soul classics, but also draws lines to jazz and hip hop. What shines through is the way Jonas succeeds in developing a sound that is completely his own. A warm gentle expressive voice and sound, combined with thoughtful, humorous and poetic lyrics, all adds up to a mixture that is super sexy and simply irresistible.

“Sweet Dreams Guaranteed” is an album that creeps under your skin and keeps growing and growing.

Catch Jonas on tour with Outlandish in June:
June, 18 2008 at ONUTSS - Jonas Listening Party @ Billie’s Black Bar Lounge , New York NY
June, 21 2008 at Heritage Forum•Los Angeles • CA •USA
June, 22 2008 at The Majestic Theater• Dallas, Texas • USA

Contemporary Soul

2008-06-25T00:35:00.001-07:00

Soul as a concept has both sociopolitical and cultural functions and meanings.
Since the 60's may changes have ocurred in African American communities which in turn have produced new attitudes and interpretations about the concept of Soul.
Soul embraces a philosophy, behaviour, symbols, cultural products and cultural style.

Portia Maultsby (adapted), Soul - Black Power, Politics & Power

To be modern is to live a life of paradox and contradiction. It is to be overpowered by the immense bureaucratic organisations that have the power to control and often destroy all communities, values, lives: and yet to be undeterred in our determination to face these forces, to fight to change their world and make it our own

Marshall Berman, All that is solid melts into air

The spirit, character and/or elements of soul, nevertheless, provided the foundation for the 80's and 90's forms of Black musical expression, marketed as R'n'B and neo soul, these genres illustrate how contemporary African American musical expressions represent a blending and re-working of past traditions. They also exemplify how the concept of Soul remains relevant in the production of Black culture.

Portia Maultsby - African American Music

There is a lot of music being made now that is reminiscent of or made in the style of old Soul Music, particularly 60's Soul or 70's Funk. This music is coming at us from a number of different angles, including from Major labels with their latest 'big name', or Funk outfits copying a particular style.

Contemporary Soul music, is different from soul music of 1998, is different from 1988 and so on right the way back through to its origins. (For me) Soul music is organic and has to be contemporary, progressive and represent what is coming out of (predominantly) independent Black America right now.

So when music is made to sound like a previous era then it is no more than pastiche, looking back not forward. This is equally so whether its 2008 made to sound like 1978, or 70's music sounding like 60's. It is the difference between absorbing influences and copying. Regressive not progressive.

I am not necessarily saying that the pastiche is not good music or musically, well meaning or well produced. Indeed I quite like some of it for what it is and do from time to time incorporate it in my shows (either on radio, or as a club DJ), where I adopt an all round holistic approach where my personal views and preferences are adapted to or for the listener or dancer. However, in terms of where my head is at and what I would and do promote, my main focus has to be new, and invariably live, which is where I believe the strength and focus lies.

It doubtless has a place, people do like it. What I am saying is that it is not Soul Music in the overall sense, it is simply 'in the style of'. It adds nothing to the genre or the progression of the music style, particularly in it's cultural context. For me whilst can I fully appreciate the musicianship, the love, the professionalism and so on of, for example, the new breed funk outfits I have difficulties with the overall concept for the reasons stated. It is what it is. Furthermore when it is taken up by the major labels and the marketeers and they start to influence (new)artists to go down a particular path for 'profit' purposes it does irrepairable harm.

Soul music is organic, it has to be new and it has to reflect principally Black America now – in the same way as we moved on from My Girl to Ball Of Confusion and so on and so forth Soul Music is now different but it is still out there in its own form and is today every bit as potent as it always was.

There is a whole movement out there forming, shaping and promoting (new) Soul Music for now and for the years ahead. We need to look forward and not back, it's going to be different but to say it is any the less meaningful, or potent, or soulful is at best narrowminded and at worst just wrong.

Kloud 9

2008-06-21T06:08:00.001-07:00

New album forthcoming in 2008, previewed tracks and interviewed Kendal & Kelvis Duffie on Radio Cardiff Spring 2008,

Jean Baylor - Testimony, My Life Story

2008-06-21T06:07:00.002-07:00

links: -
http://www.jeanbaylor.com/home.html
http://www.myspace.com/jeanbaylor

Info: - Jean Baylor, formerly of Zhane', returns with her first solo effort, Testimony: my life story. As one-half of the duo that gave us some of the most memorable R&B hits of the nineties, Baylor experienced enormous success with smash hits including "Hey Mr. DJ," "Groove Thang," and "Sending My Love." Now with an incredible new body of work and a voice that seemed to only get better with time, Jean comes into her own, delivering a compassionate anthology filled with hope, inspiration and gratitude. This album is a compelling collection of songs remarkably blended in elements of hip-hop, pop and R&B/Soul. Testimony: my life story is a personal soundtrack of Baylor's life that takes you through her journeys of love, pain and spiritual growth. Simply put...Jean brings a sincere tenderness to music that is not only refreshing...but powerful. With her purpose at heart and music in hand, this album is sure to be one of the highest regarded R&B albums of the year.

Jean Baylor (formerly of Zhane) Acoustic Experience

Ra-Re Valverde

2008-06-21T06:07:00.001-07:00

Review - To Come
Tracks - 1 Outside the Box
2 Love Will F/ Peter Hadar
3 Superhero
4 May B I'm the 1
5 In This Love
6 Til U Come Home
7 RV Intermission
8 B With U
9 Girlfriend
10 Complicated
11 All the Things F/ Joe Webb
12 Do I (4 Daddy)
13 Them Eyes
14 Abm Outro

Links - http://www.myspace.com/rarefootagemusic

To Purchase or sample click the pic

Calvin Richardson - When love comes

2008-06-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.myspace.com/calvinrichardson
http://www.iamcalvinrichardson.com/

Info :-

You know you're in for something different the moment you hear "Sang No More" the catchy, provocative lead single from Calvin Richardson's new album, When Love Comes. Over a Fifties-style doo-wop ballad pulse, Calvin sings frankly about the hard choices a singer must make given the trade-offs between being an artist, a star, and an authentic human being. His choice? If fame and fortune means forgetting what's important love and the core values of life; then he doesn't want to sing anymore, doesn't want to be successful. The price would be too high. Spoken like a true soul man, which is what Calvin Richardson is - a contemporary, hip-hop generation version of a classic soul singer. Richardson, who grew up with K-Ci and Jo-Jo, sang alongside fellow soul crooners Angie Stone and Raphael Saddiq and appeared on numerous soundtracks including "Bringing Down the House" starring Queen Latifah and Steve Martin, demonstrates why he is one of the best singers to emerge in R&B in years on his new Shanachie Entertainment/NuMo Records CD, When Love Comes, to be released May 27, 2008. Affectionately known as "The New Prince of Soul", Calvin Richardson demonstrates that he is a worthy heir to the tradition of Sam Cooke, Bobby Womack and Marvin Gaye.

With When Love Comes Calvin had a vision of embracing the essence of classic soul. To achieve that vision, he wrote and produced all the tracks himself. "I wanted to highlight the vintage soul sound and reconnect with the Curtis Mayfield sound, the Betty Wright sound and put it into a contemporary context," Calvin explains. "I had done that before but this time I wanted to try to make it a more coherent statement than previously when different producers were bringing me tracks. A lot of the songs were inspired by samples, digging in the crates and listening to old music that put me in the mood to create this album. It helped me to take a sample and build off of that. When I hear that music it speaks to me in a way that just having some musicians sitting around trying ideas does not. It's sort of a road map back to the way things used to be. I took it to another level."

When Love Comes is notable for its wide-ranging lyrical themes. Tracks such as "Fire In The Attic," "Nobody's Gonna Love You" and "When Love Comes" are sure to become classic love anthems suitable to set the mood for any late-night rendezvous. Then there are the songs with a more subtle message, such as "Daddy To My Kids," in which Calvin sings of a man's simple desire for a strong, positive relationship with his children, or "She's Hurtin",? a sensitive portrait of a lonely woman looking for love in the midst of the party atmosphere of a club.

The songs highlighted on When Love Comes are personal to Calvin, who explains the story behind "Daddy To My Kids." "I'm really, really close with my kids but I'm not with any of the mothers and it's tough sometimes when others are controlling the situation. The overall desire is just to be there without the restraints of the mother in the way. A lot of guys deal with that. A lot of guys could be great dads if the situation let them."

""She's Hurting" was inspired by a real situation. I was with a friend of mine and she had just gotten out of a relationship. We were talking and I recognized her pain. A lot of women when they break up become vulnerable and guys prey on that. I'm letting some guys know maybe that's not the best thing." At the same time, he?s not afraid to celebrate a woman's sexuality on the booty bumping "Give It To Me," which is one of several tracks that reinforce Calvin?s image as a "ladies man. "I don't have a problem with that. I'm not a one-dimensional guy. I'm somewhat of a ladies man. I like women. I love whatever they bring to the table and I can match whatever they bring to the table."

The variety of lyrical themes is matched by the variety of the grooves. The fresh conga-driven groove of ?Give It To Me? is miles away from the intimate, acoustic textures of "Make Friends With Love" or the lush textures of "Fire In The Attic." Most impressive is the fact that Calvin wrote or co-wrote all the tunes. The centrality of finger-picked or strummed guitar, often acoustic, reflects the fact that Calvin plays the instrument, writes with it and can go into a radio station and accompany himself for an impromptu performance if need be. It's all held together by Calvin's impressive vocalizing, an ability that is all-too-rare these days. He can move from the guttural growls of a Bobby Womack to the joyous arpeggios of Sam Cooke. He can sing hard, sweet, rough or tender. He's not a copyist though; he has absorbed his influences and delivers an authentic rooted soul voice with a contemporary sensibility.

Calvin Richardson came by his soulful style honestly. Born in Monroe, North Carolina, the first of nine children, Calvin had a strong musical upbringing. His mother sang in the local gospel group, The Willing Wonders, and he sang with them as a youth. But he was able to listen to secular soul music and funk and was particularly inspired by Bobby Womack, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Donny Hathaway. Singing on the gospel circuit he met and became friends with Cedric "K-Ci" Hailey and Joel "Jo Jo" Hailey, who went on to form the hit-making group Jodeci in the early Nineties and later as K-Ci and JoJo scored numerous hits. Calvin was encouraged by their success to form the urban contemporary vocal group, Undacova, whose song "Love Slave" was included in the New Jersey Drive soundtrack in 1995. When Undacova folded, Calvin launched a solo career that resulted in his debut solo album Country Boy on Uptown/Universal Records in 1999. Despite strong material, including a great cover of Bobby Womack's "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much," the album failed to sell, despite notable guests such as Chico DeBarge, Monifah and K-Ci, possibly due to confusion occasioned by the album title. While Calvin was working on his follow-up, Angie Stone heard a demo of his song "More Than A Woman" and invited him to duet with her on a version of the song for her album Mahogany Soul. A second album for Universal was shelved before release but Calvin's second album release 2:35, named after the time one of his children was born, was released by Hollywood Records in 2003. The album went on to sell more than 250,000 copies and generated significant adult urban radio play. Though lumped in with the rising crop of new-soul singers, 2:35PM revealed Calvin as an authentic soul singer bringing a classic vocal style to a contemporary production sound. With When Love Comes, Calvin Richardson delivers at last an unfettered musical vision, a compelling statement of his true artistic identity.

"Working on this album before I got a new label deal was an opportunity to express myself, to let my voice be heard without hearing too many opinions about what the music was," Calvin says. "Sometimes it takes you a while to discover your voice and your soul. I had found my way before but sometimes it can be hard when there's a lot of people with opinions. So that was the great part for me this time around. I was able to just do me without any pressure."

KiKi Hawkins

2008-06-21T06:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.myspace.com/kikimusic

info;-Keyontia “Ki Ki” Hawkins, originally from Baltimore, Maryland attended The Baltimore School for the Arts where she expanded vocally from gospel, R&B, jazz, rock, into classical. This classically trained prodigy further continued her education at The Juilliard School of Music. Ki Ki then began her performing career by touring with notable artists such as Amel Larrieux; Kelis; Nona Hendryx; and Angelique Kidjo. As an established writer, Ki Ki has written and performed lead and backing vocals on dance singles, “You Don’t Tell Me Anymore,” “Get Up,” “Thank You,” “Keep It Movin,” and “Give You What You Need,” for Wakko Records with singles released in the UK, and the US. She has been invited to lend her vocal stylings to many studio sessions, including Raheem DeVaugh’s “Love Experience” album, Q-Tip’s “Kamaal the Abstract,” and is the featured vocalist on his newest 2007 single “Work it Out.” Ki Ki: A brand new sound of alternative rock, funk, infused into one, adding a unique blend of soulful sounds enriched with breathtaking warm yet powerful vocals.

ViceLounge

2008-06-21T05:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.mobileunderground.com/artist/vicelounge
http://www.myspace.com/thevl

Pillows by ViceLounge

info:-

Once labels used to hit us with the cassette tape, and often in this fashion: midtempo banger ("Deep Inside"); fast tune for the clubs ("Cause Of Love") and then slow jam ("Never Fall Away") to "sleep" to. RBM and Vicelounge are bringing it back, futuristic soul music.The maxi-single features the production and vocals of Craig Knight, Dee Ferguson and our favorite producer Joaquin. All under the craziness and guidance of the Vicelounge: Jonn Nubian + Tai.Vicelounge: the soundtrack for stylish and dangerous lifestyle."Drum stabs, merge into dissonant echoes of wandering chants portraying the true darkness of an urban landscape. Vicelounge once again captures what real soul heads seek, a true melting pot of emotions where we can dream freely."-- Mike Adasko (Mike Steady on "Cause Of Love")"Zero7 meets MF Doom"-- Mr. Len (Company Flow, Smacks Records)"Thanks for the tunes my friend - I am digging them right now - perfect for today with my window open and a little breeze."--Toshi Reagon (indie rocker, righteous babe)

Tomas Doncker - Inside Out

2008-06-18T14:45:00.000-07:00

Review - To Come

Tracks: - 1 Faith And Trust 2 Don't Throw Our Love Away 3 Learn To Cry
4 Bring Me Your Sweetness 5 Another Thing Comin 6 I'm So Tired 7 Peace Train 8 Somebody already Broke My Heart 9 We Should Be Lovers

Links:- http://www.myspace.com/tomasdoncker

Click album cover to purchase or preview:-

Info:- Producer, Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist Tomas Doncker has been a mainstay on the New York music scene for over twenty years. He cut his teeth hanging out downtown in the fertile punk-funk explosion of the 1980s. Quickly, he found himself among the ranks of New Yorks groundbreaking musical elite, and in such groups as:James Chance & The Contortions, James White & The Blacks, Defunkt, Latin-groove-meisters Konk and New Yorks absolute 1st hip hop group, J. Walter Negro & The Loose Joints (featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Arturo OFarrill). During these formative years in NY, Tomas played several gigs with his upstairs neighbor, a then-unknown singer named Madonna. Tomas amassed performance and recording credits with a diverse list of musical luminaries including: Bootsy Collins, Ivan Neville, Yoko Ono, Amp Fiddler, Bonnie Raitt, folk-pop-diva Morley, Japanese saxophonist Sadao Watanabe, Grammy winner Prince Charles Alexanders City Beat Band & spoken word / hip-hop pioneers Sonya Sanchez & Toni Blackman. The result of Tomas' passion for production and artist development, can be heard on several upcoming releases: kyra gaunt's"be the true revolution", Nick Martin's "Lonesome Time" & A collection of works with poet Hermine Pinson titled "Change the Change". Tomas is also busy working on a collection of new songs with pulitzer-prize winning poet Yussef Komonyaka titled " the mercy suite." Currently residing in Brooklyn New York. Tomas records and performs with his trio, and is finishing his highly anticipated "acoustic/soul" CD. The album is being co-produced by Ethan Ryman at garden of Ethan studios, and of course, the production team of hollins Steele@ The Steele Factory Brooklyn, NY!!!www.TheSteeleFactory.com

Kamal Imani - Spoken Soul Dedications to the Sistas

2008-06-18T14:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not really too sure how popular spoken word is amongst my readership. It isn't too popular in the UK save for in a niche artistic way but my readership is only about 20% UK anyway.

Well Kamal Imani, Kamal Supreme would be a good place to start, conscious lyrically and drawing from Soul, Jazz, Reggae, Blues, Drum and bass, traditional and contemporary forms which all serve to give the music accessibility and listenability. And the messages are evocative, provocative, thoughtful and strong and there is an underlying vibe permeates through the music and the word.

Check the videos on myspace or youtube

Tracks:-
1 Ms. Melanin 2 Lovin her nappy nappy 3 Revolutionary Diva 4 lets Jump the Broom

Links:-
myspace.com/kamalsupreme

Other Product - Click pic to buy and sample

Info:-

Kamal Imani was born in Harlem NY and grew up in the Bronx NY and moved to Bergen County New Jersey at the age of 9 where he was inspired by the emerging Sugarhill Records and underground New York City Hip Hop. He was introduced to poetry from the poetry anthologies that his grandmother would give him at the age of 7.

Kamal Imani represents the best in spoken word and hip hop fusion. Kamal brings the revolutionary spirit of the Last Poets ,Amiri Baraka together with artist like Rakim, Public Enemy and Brand Nubian. He also brings a positive Common and Kanye West vibe while maintaining his own unique character, versatility and raspy voice.

Kamal has performed at venues such as the Nuyorican, Bowery Poetry Club, Nells, Princeton University, Farleigh Dickinson University and Medgar Evers College and Hampton University to name a few. He also performed at The NJ Nets halftime show as one of NJ's most talented. His songs are featured in http://www.rbgworld.com films “Goldigger Killer” and “Holla” in which he has cameo appearances in. He has also acted in the play by Gloria Williams “The Greatest is Love”. He has shared stages with the likes of Buju Banton,Julie Dexter,Ragan Whiteside,The Last Poets, Cassidy, Doug E. Fresh and more.

He has over 25 years of experience as a talent showcase promoter, cable television producer and host, recording studio and artist manager.

Crowd favorites are "Copped a New Whip", “Blast Off”, "Armchair Revolutionary" and "Ms. Melanin".

See his video "Armchair Revolutionary" at
http://www.myspace.com/kamalsupreme

His new wedding CD "Jump The Broom Maxi Single" is at http://cdbaby.com/cd/kamalimani2

To contact Kamal for bookings email cipherkam@yahoo.com 201-964-6275, cipherkam@gmail.com http://www.myspace.com/kamalsupreme

Chandlar - Finally got my Swagga Back

2008-06-16T14:53:00.000-07:00

Myself with Chandlar and Steve Wallace backstage at SOB's where Chandlar was on BV's for Amanda Diva March 2008

Review - To come

Links - www.iamchandlar.com
www.quartermanagement.com

Info:- CHANDLAR… The name sounds familiar?
Maybe you've caught one of his performances at SOBs Sol Village, Joe's Pub Eclectic Ride or perhaps you were watching BET's 106 & Park? No, you heard him and a slamming band at Webster Hall the other week? You scratch your head trying to figure out if his latest ballad "Lay Down B-Side You" was that tune you heard playing at your friend's last soirée? Let's face it, he's hot! Chandlar is a bonafide musical triple threat with flawless vocals, sizzling production, insightful lyrics and let's not forget to mention a live stage show that will have even the most seasoned vets asking, "When is somebody gonna sign this guy?"

He hails from Chicago, Illinois or "chi-town" as the natives refer to it. A city with a rich tradition of Soul music dating back to the days of record labels like Chess, Capital and Cur-Tom. A city that has been immortalized in music and videos by Hip-Hop icons Kanye West and Common. Chicago, the city known for dance moves so smooth that even R. Kelly sung about it!

Born and raised on Chicago's West Side, Chandlar was entrenched in Classic R&B from the womb. His parents had a band in which his mom was the lead singer and his dad was the bandleader. They covered Classic Soul artists such as Chaka Khan, Minnie Ripperton and Mother's Finest. His uncle Kermit Chandler was the guitarist for The Sheppards, an R&B group formed in 1959. The Sheppards were best known for taking the intricate, pure harmonies of Doo-Wop and merging them with instrumentation and progressive vocal styling that would later reign supreme during the Funk era. Kermit was also a guitarist/producer for such noteworthy talent as Earth, Wind and Fire, Curtis Mayfield and Chaka Khan. Coming from a musically gifted family, Chandlar was schooled from a very early age on the significance of knowing his musical history and embarked on a journey that would eventually elevate the musical legacy of the Chandler family to another level and another coast.

In 2000 Chandlar made the bold, but necessary move to New York. He understood that this relocation would put him in the hub of the Industry and expose him to experiences that would truly test not only his talent, but his fortitude and commitment to pursuing his passion for music. He made the "required" rounds—performed at the hottest open mics, attended Industry parties, networked—all of the things that are part of paying your dues in New York City. Then one day it all came together for him in the form of Strong Emotion, his debut CD. It didn't take long before the word spread about his talent. This notoriety helped build his reputation not only as a dynamic performer, but as a sincere person who is always willing to help out a fellow artist by contributing production, songs or even background vocals to their projects!

Chandlar is a selfless artist who gives his all to his craft and the people who support him.
As a singer, songwriter and producer, Chandlar has the unique advantage of being able to oversee his projects from conception to completion. Chandlar's music is a flavorful blend of classic Soul and Contemporary R&B: Funky bass lines, lushly layered harmonies and thrusting drum arrangements that solidly support well-articulated, delicately delivered lead vocals. On Strong Emotion, Chandlar's debut release, the artist transitions with finesse from a full-bodied tenor to a sweet falsetto. Lyrically, Chandlar is not afraid to speak the truth. He says what men want to say to their women and what every woman wants to hear from her man.

A self-managed, self-taught, self-contained independent artist, Chandlar has amassed some impressive credentials in the Industry. He has opened for many of the hottest acts including Aaliyah, R. Kelly, Twista, 112 Donnie, Donell Jones, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Freddie Jackson, Meli'sa Morgan, Ashford and Simpson, Boyz II Men, Cisco, Allison Williams and DMC of Run DMC. A gifted producer and engineer, Chandlar was a staff producer/engineer for CWA/Atlantic, Kid Capri's TML Management, Blunt/TVT recording artist LaTanya, Def Jam recording artist Montell Jordan, Erick Sermon's Def Squad Records and engineered sessions for Rappolot Records recording artists Do or Die. Chandlar is currently putting the finishing touches on his sophomore release entitled Keep Doing Me Like That. It's safe to assume that whatever it is he's doing, will be something you'll want done again, and again, and again.

Drea - Album, Love Affair - Single, Cold

2008-06-16T14:45:00.000-07:00

Drea and I - New York, March 2008

Review - To Come

Click on Album Cover to purchase or hear tracks

Links http://www.myspace.com/sounddoc2

Info:-This Sybil of musical creativity, known as Drea, is one of the hottest up and coming singer, songwriter, producers on the east coast. While her years on this earth are few, the directions in which her life has traveled are many aiding in her ability to possess her varying musical personalities.

“My life today is much different than I envisioned it to be while living home in Troy (AL). After becoming a music director at a church, I would have thought that would have been it. I wanted more, and I thought my relocation to Fayetteville (NC) and playing at a mega church would have satisfied what I was longing to accomplish, but I then moved to NY and God has continued to bless me in all that I do by expanding my exposure to life and music.”

Music has always been the driving force for this young musician; from the age of 14 Drea has been accompanying her first artist, her dad in her home state of Alabama. The church prepared her in her gift of songwriting, performing, and production as she has worked with countless choirs, groups, and independent gospel artists. While her dad, Artis Baxter remains to be her favorite singer to work with, Drea has played for Grammy nominated gospel songwriter Becky White, Dorothy Norwood, Kennedy Atkinson former MD of Arrested Development, and many others. While the lyrics may be different from what you hear today, Drea brings along her gospel jazz chords which will always be her signature.

Looking to diversify her style Drea began playing with a rock band after arriving to Long Island, NY in 2004. She then took things a step further and continued her education for the first time formally studying music, at the prestigious Boston University School of Music to achieve her Doctorate in Music Education.

“I had never formerly studied music that is theory so it was a gamble applying to BU (Boston University) with a B.S. in Marketing from UA (University of Alabama), and a Masters of Education from AIU (American Intercontinental University). Here was this young student with no formal studies in the mix with music professors from around the world. That is what I call blessed!”

Needing to get closer to her roots Drea took a leap of faith and discovered an artist to bring to life songs she had written over 5 years prior. This then lead to her forming a performance duo with Barbie Mignot, now called Café con Leche. Progressions of Love E.P. is the title of the project and while the scheduled release is in the fall of 2007, already they have had rave reviews and fans looking to purchase the project prior to the release date. Her style has been likened to that of the multitude of artists that have influenced her throughout her career; Kim Burrell, Stevie Wonder, Missy Elliot, and Sergio Mendez just to name a few. No matter what the project is, all of Drea’s productions have been described as being, “what true music sounds like and you getting a heavy dose of it” Austin Jeter, Urban Mainstream Magazine

Balancing the many projects Drea is involved in, her solo career, and the creation of her independent label SoundDoc Entertainment, founded in the summer of 2007 continues to give this producer the inspiration and drive to make her mark on music history.

Ome - So Real

2008-06-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

Review - Earlier this year I had the pleaseure to see Ome perform at the infamous Sunday Night Open Mic night at the Village Underground in New York. Quite frankly he blew away everyone else and it was a night of high calibre, a consistent high calibre that I had not witnessd before - usually there are a few artists that don't cut it.

So had a chat with Ome afterwords and sorry that its taken so long to get this up.

Ome's vocals and performance that night were excellent, the album however is a little formulaic. It's OK but fairly straightforward R'n'b. Tracks like TBG's and Blue, for me, come over best, mellower and where the vocal performance is of higher importance. Lyrically also it is fairly predictable, but it all goes with the marketplace and the image I guess.

there is nothing on this selection that vocally takes it to the heights that I have seen than Ome is capable of. However it is alright and I confidently predict that as he matures as an artist we will see a lot more of him.

Links:-
http://www.myspace.com/ome7
Info: -
It's easy to imagine OME on stage in front of thousands of adoring and eager to listen fans. What's harder to imagine is the unbeleavable but truthful stories about his road to success. Stuggling times from sleeping on the subway in New York City, to swinging it out at Cage Fighting Events to pay for his recording costs. At first glance, in person, one might feel slightly intimidated by the 6 foot 4 inch tattooed silouette of OME. However, after a few words, you'll quickly realize that he is one of the most humble people you'll ever meet. So much so that he'll probably say thank you to you just for taking time to talk with him. With ten plus years as a singer, songwriter, producer, and seasoned performer, he is hardly a freshman in the game of the music business. Born and raised in Kansas City, MO is where it all started. Acting as his own Manager, Booking Agent, PR rep, and worst critic is what raises his own expectations of what he should achieve as a musician. Performing with some of the best in the busines such as Nelly, Lyfe Jennings, Huey, D4L, SWV, Case, JonB, Joe Torry, Kindred the Family Soul, and the Shop Boyz, are a few of the names that round off his stage credibility. Although OME's not turning the wheel of a Bentley quite yet, he is sure to make his own mark in the entertainment business, not only in the U.S. , but around the world. OME will stand among the greats and sing his songs of life and inspiration. He believes that what GOD has for him, it is for him. Simply put, nothing and no one will stand in his way to accomplish what was given to him at birth. A true gift of which OME will share with the world.

Daptone Records Remixed

2008-06-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

Some very interesting remixes which brings something to the Soul Music genre. For me whilst I fully appreciate the musicianship, the love, the professionalism and so on of the Daptone (and their like with varying degrees) people, I believe Soul Music has to be current, organic, representative of its Culture and so on. Therefore I have difficulties with pastiche material as it doesn't tick these boxes. So attempts such as these, or some of these, bring the music forward to a current level.

That said I still love some of the 'original' product from this label for its grit and drive but for what it is.

Scion CD Volume 19

Tracklisting CD1 - Daptone Remixes :
01. The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon (The Washington Sq. Lads Remix) feat. Wale*
02. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Keep On Looking (Kenny Dope Remix)
03. The Daktaris - Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti (Mad Professor Remix)
04. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Stranded In Your Love (Cool Calm Pete - Sweet Nothing Mix)
05. The Sugarman Three & Co. - Take It As It Come feat. Charles Bradley (Afrodisiac Soundsystem Remix)
06. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - How Long Do I Have To Wait For You? (Ticklah Remix)
07. The Budos Band - T.I.B.W.F. (Hank Shocklee Remix)
08. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - My Man Is A Mean Man (DJ Spinna Remix)
09. The Sugarman Three & Co. - Boscos Blues (Bull Jun Remix) feat. Large Professor
* Remixed by Mark Ronson

Tracklisting CD2 - Daptone Originals :
01. The Budos Band - Chicago Falcon
02. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Keep On Looking
03. The Daktaris - Eltsuhg Ibal Lasiti
04. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - Stranded In Your Love
05. The Sugarman Three & Co. - Take It As It Come feat. Charles Bradley
06. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - How Long Do I Have To Wait For You?
07. The Budos Band - T.I.B.W.F.
08. Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - My Man Is A Mean Man
09. The Sugarman Three & Co. - Boscos Blues feat. Large Professor

Links
www.daptonerecords.com
www.scion.com/SAV

Joni Neh Rita - A Fine Time

2008-05-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Review -

Quite a lot of nice stuff coming out of Canada over recent years and this is no exception. The initial indicators that reach you after the first few minutes of How Can It Be are that it is proper musicianship, live feel, punchy, good production and excellent vocals.

The first track whilst setting the scene and giving promise does not blow me away but the second track, Star, mellower and moodier with vocals more upfront and powerful with some fine keyboards and guitar, is a standout track, and one that I have featured on my radio show.

Not That Deep is jazzier, faster paced and more percussive. You Left offers another difference in styles, being funkier, and gets deep down and slow as the vocals take over. Probab,y my favourite cut when all said and done.

How 2 Get Thru stes of at a driving pace, sounding a little 60's orientated and not really doing much for me. On My Way is nice mellow and haunting with a memorable hook.

A Fine Time is a bit of a rock track. Nothing Else Matters again is more my kind of thing, definitely doing more for me on the melower tracks where the vocal come across much stronger. Concluding with a very nice reggae vibe on The Way Of The World.

An accomplished album with several tracks of note. A fine time.

Links: -
http://www.myspace.com/joninehrita

To purchase click picture:-

Info:-
Joni’s music is a bright alternative for those who still like their music served with lyrical substance. She’s got a great set of pipes, but it’s her gift of songwriting that really comes through on her first release. It’s a definite nod to the great soul music of the 70’s and she soars as a vocal arranger with lush harmonies. Every song is its own entity but is distinctly Joni- infectious. soulful. bright.

Kenny Wesley - I'm Sorry

2008-05-29T14:28:00.000-07:00

Review -

Sorry is an excellent midtempo ballad, a bit Stevie Wonder-esque and some fine keyboards. Serenity also is a very nice nice track and one that grows, and lays down a very catchy persistent groove. Both these tracks have the makings of being strong.

Cloudin up was recorded live in Suffolk Va.

A promising EP from Kenny and I look forward to a full album and more material.

Tracks:- Sorry, Serenity, Cloudin' up my view

Links: - http://www.myspace.com/kennywesley

Info: - How many musical artists today can sing and song write in three languages -- fluently, have four-octave ranges, are expert pianists, and dedicate their lives to serving the world through music? He sings with the tenderness of a Luther Vandross, and in the same breath, with the agility and freedom of a Stevie Wonder. Kenny Wesley is the young new face of contemporary and jazz music.

Originally from Jacksonville, North Carolina, Kenny is part of a rich music heritage. “My mother and almost all of her side of the family are incredible musicians, so it seemed natural for me to be a musician.” He was barely a toddler when he started singing and by age 9 he had already created his first compositions for voice and piano. His love for music and other cultures has taken him around the world where he has performed before presidents, dignitaries, heads of state, and high-profile celebrities. Kenny has shared the stage with several national recording artists such as Yolanda Adams and Jean Carne. His songs have been featured on national television: in 2004, his song “Epiphany”, co-written by Timothy Buther, was featured on ABC’s The View.
The world has not yet seen all the greatness that will emerge out of Kenny's life. Don't worry though: He hasn't stopped dreaming. In the world of Kenny Wesley, all things are possible.

Trav Williams - The Trickle Down

2008-05-29T14:18:00.000-07:00

Trav Williams- "The Trickle Down" (2008)

Production by:
1. Walk Wit Me (Skidmatik)
2. Say it Loud (DJ Skinny)
3. The Anthem (Keenan)
4. Cuzzo (Keenan)
5. Something New (20 Keys)
6. Tag-a-long (Distinguished Gents)
7. Laughing Matter (Skidmatik)
8. Pressure (Keenan)
9. Shut it Down featuring Pee Duble (Distinguished Gents)
10.Moment (Mozaic)
11.Night at the Roxbury (Keenan)

Review - To Come

Links
http://www.myspace.com/thewilliamsproject

Sir Piers - Sirvival

2008-05-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

Review - 3 Track sampler from Bigger at urbanessentials.co.uk and already received a couple of plays on Soul Freedom on radio cardiff .Troubled Man has been my preferred track for radio play, upbeat infectious and more accessible and obvious Marvin Gaye connotations.

World is burning is also upbeat and indicative of a house background, but echoes of disco in there.

My personal preference is for Bright Lights with a guest female vocalist - Monique Bingham?, more neo soul I guess, a georgeous track and more in tune with where nu soul is heading I would suggest.

With the guests on the album this promises to be a solid album and I look forward to hearing the whole thing.

Links
http://www.myspace.com/sirpiers
Info:-
A multi-talented DJ, producer, songwriter and musician, Sir Piers needs little introduction these days as he continues to evolve as one of the most consistent dj/producers in the UK. So far, best known for a long line of timeless house and dance floor masterpieces over the last 8 years. The best is yet to come as he prepares to release an incredible first album - ’Sirvival’ - including co-writes with Level 42 among others! Below, we update you on his flourishing DJ career as well as a fountain of music to look forward to… Consistently, his songs, productions and remixes travel in the record bags of the best in the business: from diverse examples such as Todd Terry, MAW, Tony Humphries, Miguel Migs, Bob Sinclar, Martin Solveig, and Joey Negro to Pete Tong, Ben Watt, , Roger Sanchez, Simon Dunmore, Dj Spinna and Seb Fontaine. Just a few champions of his sound and, whether producing as Sir Piers or under his Tarantulaz, SummerHeadz or DirtDiggers monikers, Piers has carved a niche for himself in underground house circles, as well as, in dance scenes across genres as an artist of exceptional ability and promise. 2008 sees his highly respected curious label look forward to a wealthy release schedule. Those he has worked with and remixed reads like a ‘who’s who’ of today’s scene. Roy Ayers, Groove Armada, Todd Terry, A Tribe Called Quest, Jocelyn Brown, Ananda Project, Lauryn Hill, Kings of Tomorrow and Basement Boys have all received the Sir Piers touch, as have Snoop Dogg, Pharrell, Beyonce & Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, A Tribe Called Quest, Alicia Keys, Angie Stone, Gwen Stefani, Jill Scott and Lionel Richie, reinforcing Piers’ ability to transcend genres whilst maintaining the soulful edge he has become renowned for. While his memorable releases on labels like Sony, Jive, Mn2s, Soulfuric, King Street and Purple Music have received widespread critical acclaim, it has been Piers’ singles released on his home-grown imprint Curious that have really set tongues wagging. Club smashes, such as, ‘Don’t You Love Me’ and ‘Fool’s Got Nothin’’ featuring Monique Bingham have both enjoyed worldwide success, while his new collaboration with the sultry songbird – ‘They Forgot It’ – gained huge support globally on San Francisco’s OM Records complete with remixes by Marques Wyatt. Yet another example of Piers’ quality writing skills and his unique outlook for a catchy yet credible song. Look out for more news on their eagerly awaited debut Tarantulaz album, also coming this year! 2008 holds the biggest surprise yet for his loyal fans as Piers puts the finishing touches on his hugely- anticipated artist album which will include some mind-blowing collaborations with Level 42, Frank Mcomb, Monique Bingham, Shaun Escoffery, Robert Owens, Los Amigos Invisibles and other brilliant like-minded talent from around the world. Watch this space, for Sir Piers is just getting started...

Abby Dobson - Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You Have Been Waiting On

2008-05-05T08:59:00.000-07:00

Review - Abby is someone who I have been in touch with for a while now, we have hung together and she is a ggo supporter of the indie soul mixer, attending this year when she was not at all well. Anyway I am glad she did as she gave me some preview tracks from her forthcoming album, which i have been anticipating since we first met.

Her official independent debut album to be released in Summer 2008. This recording project, tentatively titled, “Sleeping Beauty: You Are the One You Have Been Waiting On," is recorded live to analog tape primarily at the lengendary studio, Sear Sound. The album features many accomplished recording, touring and session musicians including: Shelton Garner, Christian Ver Halen, Robert Glasper, Nate Jones, Wes Mingu, Gerald Menke, Marvin Sewell, Lonnie Plaxico, Lafayette Harris Jr. and Mary Wooten.

I have 6 tracks, some of which can be previewed on Abby's Myspace page, Born 2 Luv U, Cool rain, Unconditionally, I'm Drownin, Wasteland and Not this Girl

Born 2 Luv U is a strong slow and deep ballad both lyrically and in performance, against a guitar intro (Shelton?) but builds into a powerful climax with a hook that retains in your head.

Cool rain is minimal and allows Abby's voive to meander and extend in almost operatic direction, lovely.

Unconditionally, another ballad and my preferred one of the three so far, vocally containing elements from both the previous tracks, but Abby really lets go as it reaches its finally. Some fine piano work also which would guess is Rob Glasper.

I'm Drownin is more upbeat and funkier, and what should be said also is that this album has proper musicians! I like this track in the way that the vocals interplay with the instrumentation.

Wasteland brings the Jamaica out, where soul meets reggae, and its good to hear such a strong (female) vocal against this kind of backdrop.

Not this Girl is an acoustic ballad which serves to accentuate the power of Abby's vocal.

Can't wait for the album to drop.

Links
http://www.abby-dobson.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abby_Dobson
http://www.myspace.com/abbydobsonmusic

Montalfish - "Bare, Trippin thu Electro Soul"

2008-05-05T08:11:00.000-07:00

Colleen has been one of my longstanding contacts and friends on my visits to New York and she and Chris have always welcomed me into their studio to check out where they are at. Well they are always moving artistically and no two visits are the same. However I am pleased to say that they have now locked it down, after two and half years and over 50 tracks they have settled down on the tracks that will feature on their album.

Chris and Colleen as a unit are solid, adding different inflections but still working from the same page, such a tight collaboration is hard to find.

The album I have to say is a little out of my comfort zone in that it is experimental and progressive, pushing boundaries within genre. Indeed that is where the appeal lies in that it has no fixed genre, and that it is progressive.

The influences and inflections that come into your mind are wide and diverse, sometimes surprising. In the studio just running through the tracks one minute we were saying oh there's a bit of Kylie (Yes!) or Madonna, or Sade, next minute it was Marvin Gaye, or Victor Duplaix, or Funk, House or Soul....and Folk.

So at the very least it is interesting and challenging. It won't tick the boxes if you're looking for or at say a neo soul album, or for that matter a full on house record. Fit it does not but I hope that people will embrace its expansiveness.

My own preferences are for the downtempo items and there is a very interesting folky soul ballad, which i think will gain some attention in view of its quirkiness. There are tracks that will get plays in house venues, and i'm sure Chris and Colleen will add some remix packages, indeed they are always tweaking and various mixes exists anyway. There is one very commercial track with tinges of old school disco

Links
http://www.myspace.com/montalfish

Info:- Colleen Max Fisher and Christian Montalbano

The music of Colleen Max Fisher & Christian Montalbano represents a ten year culmination of vast music styling and expressions.

COLLEEN: Blue Jean from legendary Indie label Eight Ball Records, Love is the Message "Storm Orion" featuring Colleen Max Fisher produced by Easy Street records and remixed by John Ciafone for Moods 2 Swing. Her debut album Maximum Pleasure, the single "Innocent" appeared on the New Used & Absurd compilation on Instinct Records.

CHRISTIAN: SnoCone: "Stay at Home Rock Star", and Proteen: "Prog Rock Super Star" were released nationwide and distributed by Navarre. Soundprops: (he and Colleen); remixed War’s "Tobacco Road" for BMG’s release "Grooves and Messages" along side such luminaries as Armond Van Helden and Ganja Kru. SoundProps: Microsoft’s X-Box.

COLLEEN AND CHRISTIAN: jingles: TV Series "Superstars". Pringles, Bacardi, Pantene, Nissan, Pokemon film and television series, original theme for BET’s "106th and Park".

After moving on from his own label Christian and Colleen formed a new partnership, "Sonic Soulmates". Through this partnership they produced "Soul Conscience" their first debut album as a duo.

The newest incarnation of this duo is Montalfish, a thought-provoking venture taking you through the highs and lows of humanity. Their newest release "Bare-Trippin thru Electro Soul " which features the lead singles "Outta the Blue" and "Whatever You Do" is slated for a late spring release.

Colleen & Christian bring you Montalfish to dance and stimulate your soul.

Soul Unsigned EP001

2008-04-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

4 track EP put together by Phil Driver @ www.soulunsigned.com, www.myspace.com/soulunsignedmusic

Excellent
Gentlemen
Felix
Groove's Back
Productions
Harambe

Four tracks by the above named outfits in this excellent initiative. Harambe have been featured on teh pages of Life and Soul Promotions for some years of course with their brand of UK Funk.

The pick track for me is Felix, lazy groove, catchy sample, sultry and soulful.

Excellent Gentlemans Tonight Alright is also a funky thing with good live sounding instrumentation with an old skool disco groove. Groove's Back Productions features AmariM is another UK Soul offering.

More to come from this outlet so lets get behind it

Information from info@soulunsigned.com

Gavin Gregory - First Time Around

2008-04-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

Review: - I had not long arrives in New York and I received a call from Gavin who had been given my info from George Littlejohn who suggested that Gavin and I should meet. Gavin was unable to come to my mixer so we hastily arranged a meet at Billie's Black before he left town - from where the picture above was taken (ignore the date!)

We had a good chat about his roles on Broadway and working with the likes of Chaka Khan. Also received a copy of the CD which has subsequently featured on my radio show, and also Paul Alexander and Steve Ashby's Soul Train show as they were also with us at the time.

The first track Money On Your Finger is the one I have featured most as it is smooth and accessible, catchy and slick with across the board appeal.

Close That Door is maybe a bit more R'n'b so we can always see a variety of styles. Edge Of The Bed is a track that I keep returning to and has become a bit of a personal favourite, jazzier, touches of latin. Gavin Gavin Gavin, sounds a bit corny and we spoke about this but it works, the track also goes down well live apparently.

The album is a trilogy, broken down into 3 parts -Take Me Under and Gavin, Gavin, Gavin conclude the first part Where is the Love.

Lyrically therefore a lot of thought has gone into this as we move from the hurt of an unsure relationship and into Part II - a new love, and the optimism that that brings and ultimately part III Good Love.

The second part is more upbeat possibly as the subject matter might suggest,
Get Into My Lovin' is funkier but Because of you is the pick of this section

The final section is You're Amazing, Crazy (Without Your), Over & Over (Again) where we get into a full on love zone.

Closing with a bonus track - He's A Millionaire

A very strong album, very professionally put together with sufficiently strong tracks to start to put Gavin on the map, liked this a lot.

Tracks: - 1 Money On Your Finger, 2 Close That Door 3 Edge Of The Bed 4 Take Me Under 5 Gavin, Gavin, Gavin 6 Because Of Love 7 First Time Around
8 Get Into My Lovin' 9 You're Amazing 10 Crazy (Without Your) 11 Over & Over (Again) 12 He's A Millionaire

To purchase and hear clips click picture below:-

Links:- http://gavingregory.com/Gavin_Gregory/Home.html

Info:- Gavin Gregory is not just a singer but also a song stylist and an actor. Raised as a child in Warren, Ohio and born into a man in Atlanta, Georgia, Gavin was accustomed to hearing great soul music as a child with his Mother & Father constantly supplying the household with soul legends like Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, and Marvin Gaye. As he matured his oldest brother, a jazz musician, bought him his first instrument, a trumpet. From there his musical tastes broadened and he was exposed to great jazz vocalists and musicians such as Al Jarreau, Dianne Reeves, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Santana, and Tower Of Power to name a few.

Gavin moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he dealt with aspiring producers but got involved in musical theatre as well, working in some of Atlanta’s most prestige’s theatres’ such as The Alliance Theatre, The Fox, Actors’ Express, and Seven Stages.

He was then cast in Disney’s “The Lion King” and in 2006, a dream came true as he was cast in the Broadway hit, Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple”. Finally he made it to Broadway!

He has just released his first full length CD/Album “First Time Around”. It’s all about life’s situations he’s experienced, broken into three parts. Part 1. Where Is The Love: songs about questionable love, Part 2. A New Love: songs about the courtship of a fresh relationship, and Part 3. Good Love: songs about how love feels when you’re in a great relationship.

Embarking on a career for film, stage, and music, Gavin is primed to be the next big thing in entertainment.

Leonard Julien III - All Cuts - US Modeste CD “Reflections Of Soul”

2008-04-15T13:26:00.000-07:00

Completing a trio of fine albums this issue is this album from Leonard Julien III out of Atlanta, Georgia. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that this was reminiscent of hearing that brilliant Keith Washington debut set for the first time in the early 90’s. It really is that good! In fact the label name is tinged with irony, as if I’d of delivered a set of this calibre, modest(e) is the last thing I would be! I’m not even going to attempt to single out cuts here as there really is no need for the skip button on this. Buy this CD without hesitation. Super soul music for the 21^st century.

OK, not much room left this time, but I just have to point you in the direction of the latest release from our friends at Sundae Soul over in Germany. “Tonight” is perfect modern soul dance floor material and you get the bonus of a fine version of “Thin Line Between Love & Hate” by Donald McCollum on the flip of this 7” vinyl single.

Review first appeared in Soul Up North Magazine in the column:

Modern Musings… grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

replicated here with thanks to Howard Earnshaw of Soul Up North and Mark Randle - Magazine can be obtained from SOULUPNORTHHFE@aol.com

Sir Wick - Most cuts - US Sir Wick Ent. CD “An Interpretation Of A Universal Language”

2008-04-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Released out of Detroit, here we have another fine album to get 2008 underway. Very much a jazz slanted set, there are 3 or 4 top cuts on here to interest the soul fraternity. ”Thank You Lord” has a funky kind of wah, wah guitar going on in there and trips along nicely for the dance floor with nice female vocal. “I Can’t Wait” is a super cool semi-vocal jazzy dancer with some great solo instrumental work (keys/trumpet etc) in the mix, all propelled along by a driving bass line. “You Are My Everything” is another uptempo dance floor winner again with female vocals, this one more dominated by the percussion, but again with some great horn blowing. “Seal My Heart” is perhaps, of the four cuts mentioned, that which most strongly demonstrates those jazzy tendencies I mentioned earlier. All vocals on the highlighted cuts come from either Sarah D’Angelo or Sedalia Marie, and are not dissimilar in style to that of the great Teena Marie. A top, top set which once again indicates just what is actually achievable on an indie budget. Don’t miss this!

Review first appeared in Soul Up North Magazine in the column:

Modern Musings… grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

replicated here with thanks to Howard Earnshaw of Soul Up North and Mark Randle - Magazine can be obtained from SOULUPNORTHHFE@aol.com

Reel People - Amazing - UK Papa 12”

2008-04-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

Doing big business since the turn of the year, when it first appeared on a JAP CD (“Seven Ways To Wonder”), is this new cut from the Reel People which features vocalists Tony Momrelle and Imaani. Now available on 12” plastic complete with house mixes, it’s the original version, here called the Radio Edit, which will be of most interest to most of you guys. This and some of the cuts from the recent Pete Simpson CD (see last column), are fine examples of a significant amount of music around at the moment which is heavily 80’s influenced, in the nicest possible sense, which makes it interesting putting a DJ set together as these sit perfectly next to some classic 80’s dancers. Oh, and am I the only one who can hear elements of “Georgy Porgy” in here??

Review first appeared in Soul Up North Magazine in the column:

Modern Musings… grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

replicated here with thanks to Howard Earnshaw of Soul Up North and Mark Randle - Magazine can be obtained from SOULUPNORTHHFE@aol.com

Angela Johnson - A Womans Touch Vol 1 - Dome

2008-04-15T13:13:00.000-07:00

(pic Angela Johnson with Pam & Detrell of ONUTSS and Mike Ashley at Mike's Indie Soul Mixer March 2008 @ Billies Black in Harlem)

Several really good albums to tell you about from early 2008, and none better than this new set from Angela Johnson. Angela will I’m sure be familiar to most as a performer, but here she turns writer/producer, overseeing a fine set of tunes involving lots of big names providing the vocals. The album kicks off with a fine jazzy dancer from Rahsaan Patterson entitled “Dream Flight”, where we find our man getting all political on us. Another great mid-paced dancer with a bit of a reggae twist comes from prolific newcomer Gordon Chambers on the brilliant “Get Away”, and further dance floor delight is delivered by Angela herself on “Should’ve Been There”, this being the only cut featuring Angela as lead vocalist. More great cuts are delivered from the likes of Claude McKnight (Take 6), Maysa, Frank McComb and Marlon Saunders on this super album which is another feather in the cap of UK based Dome records.

Review first appeared in Soul Up North Magazine in the column:

Modern Musings… grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle

replicated here with thanks to Howard Earnshaw of Soul Up North and Mark Randle - Magazine can be obtained from SOULUPNORTHHFE@aol.com

Water Seed - Wonder Love

2008-04-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Review -

Big delay on this one as well, sorry guys! Only three tracks available to me right now Ain't Nobody, It won't be me and I'm trying

But as a taster for the album these tracks are great, good mellow, soulful music, and real music to with excellent production and musicianship. I'm trying particularly is one hot track with a cool vibe ansd easing into a fantastic sax/keys break and the vocals are sublime.

New Orleans neo funk and soul is what it is - great stuff

Lou Hill-Founder,Drummer; Ryan Johnson-Lead Singer; J Sharp-Keys; Cinese-Flutist; Marius Tilton-Bass

Links:- waterseedmusic.com
myspace.com/waterseed

Info:-

Water Seed(knowledge and growth): The rebirth of the classic soul funk band.

There is a smoldering fire in Atlanta and its name is Water Seed. Water Seed is a band dedicated to recreating the true American soul/funk band. In the tradition of Earth, Wind and Fire, Commodores, Rufus and Chaka, and Maze, Water Seed has the marketability to open the doors to a sound that everyone will soon be after.

In August 2006 Water Seed let loose with their first EP, Two Words. Independently released, the seven track EP has generated a ground swelling buzz to the tune of a 6,500 units sold in the first 6 months. This co-ed ensemble possesses a brotherly and sisterly love that vibrates through each and every one of their songs. They have been referred to as "the group of brother/sister love", "A band that represents harmony in a way that most bands try to achieve", and the band to keep an eye on". Water Seed has a live show like no other. You can take the musician out of New Orleans, but you can't take New Orleans out of the musician. It is no wonder this band is always in high demand. There has never been a show performed by Water Seed without the band breaking into those New Orleans street beats that we all love. Crowds can't get enough of Water Seed's live energy. Water Seed was changed by Hurricane Katrina and through this change they will reach the masses. Maybe Water Seed is on the fast track to stardom. Maybe Water Seed is just gaining momentum, but one thing is for sure; Water Seed is just getting started.

A J Rawls Presentation - The Liquid Crystal Project

2008-04-07T13:59:00.001-07:00

Review - Going back a bit for this one to late 2006 and still worth a mention as it is a very interesting set where Hip Hop and beats meets jazz. It's probably not groundbereaking in terms of jazz performance, but the addition of the hip hop beats gives it an eclectic quality and meaningful qualities to todays audience, with old skool hip hop tendencies.

having seen J Rawls do a DJ set I have seen where he is coming from and this album encapsulates it.

An album that i can't pick out any higlight tracks, because there aren't any, its just on of those thaings that you can just drop and vibe to when the moment is right.

1. Liquid Intro	Listen	Listen
2. The D E Effect	Listen	Listen
3. Heart Throb	Listen	Listen
4. Infancy	Listen	Listen
5. A Tribute to Dilla	Listen	Listen
6. Remember When	Listen	Listen
7. Simple Game Plan	Listen	Listen
8. So Fly	Listen	Listen
9. Still Taking It EZ	Listen	Listen
10. A Tribute to Bobby	Listen	Listen
11. Running	Listen	Listen
12. Cao	Listen	Listen
13. A Tribute to Troy	Listen	Listen
14. Crystal Outro	Listen	Listen

Links:- www.grooveattack.com

Info:-

About the Artist
The Liquid Crystal Project is J.Rawls (Beats / Concepts / Direction), B-Jazz (Pianos / Keyboards / Concepts / Direction), Shaun Scott (Drums),B- Chapman (Guitar) and Selah (Keyboards)

Product Description
J.Rawls follows the footsteps of Madlib's Yesterdays New Quintet and Marc Mac's Visioneers with an album of original Hip Hop-Jazz compositions and tributes to some of the greatest in Hip Hop and Jazz!

Foresight::Urban

2008-04-07T13:33:00.000-07:00

A Download Only compilation from Casual Records, available at the link under.
A bunch of tracks, European artists in the Urban arena, and there are some excellent tracks on show, none more so than the excellent ballad, Truth Of The Matter - Lloyd de Meza ft Dubbledge, very strong indeed.

I also like, and have indeed played on the radio, Gimme Ur Love - Darwood ft Sly Marvin and Mayfield, which gives a big clue as to what its all about.

Another good R'n'B slow jam is Take Some Time by E.C. ft Shay, as is Seulja's Chill and Get High.

And Soul Man Omar gets an outing as the featured vocalist on Black Britanyaa's Libation.

On a pure hip hop tip then I'd go for Bigger Than Us by The Heard and Instinct's Time. Slightly more menacing and dark is Wait a Minute by Artcha, but the best is As For I Have - Mr. Hectic

A varied and commended set

Tracklisting:
Gimme Ur Love - Darwood
Somewhere 2 Go - Miss Camille
Bigger Than Us - The Heard
Truth Of The Matter - Lloyd de Meza ft Dubbledge
Time - Instinct
Take Some Time - E.C. ft Shay
Immigrant - Bubbz a.k.a. Chief
Run Da Carnival - Duane Flames ft Liberty
Wait a Minute - Artcha
As For I Have - Mr. Hectic
Chill and Get High - Seulja
Bounce Your Head - Sohpie Johnson-Hill
Libation - Black Britanyaa ft Omar

Links to purchase:-
http://www.cantaloupegroup.co.uk/shop/

Info: -

Casual Records anticipated next release is here! ‘Foresight’ is the latest project on Casual, featuring an array of brand spanking new artists.

Following the same A&R nous they proved when signing Lady Sovereign, Casual now unearth more gems, presented on this refreshingly well-produced compilation.

For Casual Records, ‘Foresight’ is the development of a brand that is instantly recognisable and associated with none other than high quality, up and coming, grass roots music. ‘Foresight’ is a go to point for A&R’s, industry enthusiasts, tastemakers, DJ’s and artists alike; that are keen to stay ‘one step ahead’ when it comes to listening out for potential stars of the future.

This edition of ‘Foresight’ focuses on urban music. Although mostly homegrown, there are contributions from the urban scene in Belgium and Holland.

This compilation has been structured to help artists get the most out of their deal with us. We have agreed on a 50/50 split with each artist and kept costs to a minimum. ‘Foresight’ is about elevation not exploitation

Peace

2008-04-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Review - Once again many apologies for the delay in getting this up - its been many months since i had the pleasure of meeting Peace and receiving a promo of this album.

Peace mixes together hip hop, soul, spoken word with her own acoustic musicianship, and she is an excellent wordsmith.

I think I kinda like the mellowy hip hop spoken word pieces and in particular What's Peace? thoughtful provocative lyrical questionning over a string (sample).

The next couple of tracks It's Time and Girl Lost, unless they were remixed on the final version, I find vocally a bit weak in places but melodically and lyrically they are strong.

A much better feel and vibe on a more upbeat Fix It (God Can), acoustic guitar prominent but a jazzy vibe. It's Love moves lyrically into the love arena and is a very nice harmonic mellow ballad.

Euphoria has different styling, more of a neo soul style, percussive and weaving between singing and spoken word. More variety with Survive, an acoustic reggae tune a genre which Peace fits into quite well.

Hip Hop is what it says I guess complete with scratching and stuff. Closing with the title track, Expand.

Peace's lyrics are very strong and appealing but I have to say that my preference is when she portrays this in Hip Hop or spoken word, just works best for me there.

Tracks - 1 World: Intro 2 What's Peace? 3 It's Time 4 Girl Lost 5 Fix It (God Can) 6 Love In Your Eyes 7 Interlude 8 It's Love 9 Euphoria 10 Without You
11 Survive 12 Hip Hop 13 Expand

Click Picture to preview tracks and purchase

Links - http://www.peacemusiconline.com/
http://www.myspace.com/peacemusiconline

Info:-

Music is the medicine of the mind, and peace is the medicine of the soul; with both, life is a beautiful thing. In an industry where musicianship is often compromised for the latest gimmick, some may wonder if there is still room for a true artist to rejuvenate and heal the state of music. Peace is the answer!

Born Angela Hunter, Peace, a South Carolina native, not only exudes the definition of her name, but also professes the same on the microphone. Influenced by legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jimi Hendrix, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, and a host of others, Peace writes 100% of her lyrics. She is a guitarist, arranger, composer, lyricist, and vocalist.

The 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina is not only a talented musician, but also a well accomplished athlete. The four-year varsity basketball scholarship recipient received her bachelor's degree in Sport and Entertainment Management, and now plans to pursue her passion of music. With an eclectic blend of Hip-Hop, Soul, and spoken word, Peace has a style that is versatile, unique, and filled with substance. Peace's presence lights up any stage. Switching from spoken rhyme to melodic rhythms on her guitar, Peace captivates every audience by letting her inner light glow with every word she articulates. After hearing her voice, one will surely feel Peace through her music!

Just Mart - Promo

2008-04-01T14:23:00.000-07:00

Apology time again - I first met Just Mart in Atlanta back in the summer and he kindly gave me a promo CD. Such has been the pressure I still have not got round to giving him any sort of mention - my apologies Mart. Met him again recently in New York where he is temporarily resident and still working at finishing his first CD, and getting a foothold in the industry.

The sampler I have contains 7 tracks, some of which can be previewed on the Myspace link under.

The style in broadly acoustic, in demo form at least, with strong warm vocals. The melodies and the lyrics are strong and enticing. I hope it wont be long before Mart has some product that is on the streets and I wish him well in the future, he is a great guy and is working extremely hard to learn his craft and making himself known amongst his peers in the indie soul community.

Links:- www.myspace.com/justbmart

Info:- About Just Mart Hi everyone! I'll keep the bio brief... I'm working on my first album, after years on the road with several bands. Let me tell you more later... Finalist: Song Of The Year world contest, september's round (with the song: My Love Is True) view Just Mart's sonicbids EPK, http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.asp?epk_id=123336

Mart

Rahbi - RAW

2008-03-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Review:-
What better way to showcase the outrageous, innovative and glamorous Rahbi than on a live album! Having see Rahbi live I can value and appreciate this album and assure you that it encapsulates his performance as well as a live album can........but I would urge you to go and see the performanece yourself.

Laden with showmanship, innuendo and subtle comments throughout. Not only is Rahbi an exceptional performer he is perceptive as far as the industry goes and his independence shows through.

Great fun throughout and very good quality for a live album, all sorts of influences in there from Prince, MJ, Rick James through to the theatrical side of pop.

Tracks: - 1 He's Here, 2 Bitter Sweet Dreams, 3 Sistas and Brothas , 4 Another Chance- Give It to Me Baby , 5 Never Hurt You , 6 Superstar , 7 Edge of My Life
8 Giving Up , 9 Take You 2 a Dream

Click picture to purchase and hear clips

Links:-
http://www.myspace.com/rahbi

Info:-
Answer Me This…
Has RAHBI been singing since the age of 3?
-YES

Was he signed to LaFace Records by LA Reid at 14?
-THAT’S RIGHT BABY

Did he tour the world as a background singer for Donnie?
-SURE DID

Has he shared the stage with Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Eric Roberson, India.Arie,Rahsaan Patterson and many more amazing artists?
-MY, HOW THE LIST GOES ON AND ON

Was RAHBI The E.P. his first Independently Major project?
-CORRECT

Did his live shows spark the attention of thousands around the world and eventually gain him the title of BEST R&B/ SOUL ARTIST IN ATLANTA by Creative Loafing Magazine?
-YES SIR

Is that why he released RAHBI-RAW this year?
-YOU’RE RIGHT

WOW!! What is he doing now?
-HAVING A BLAST BEING THE PRINCE OF GLAM SOUL & BRINGING TRUE ARTISTRY BACK TO THE FOREFRONT!! WE CAN’T HAVE EVERYONE PERFORMING ON STAGE WITH THEIR CELLPHONES.

IT’S TIME TO GIVE THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WHAT THEY PAY FOR...
ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!

GOD, Prince, Madonna, Rick James, Annie Lennox, Michael Jackson, Vanity, David Bowie are all my teachers.. -RAHBI

Carmen Chiles - Soulution

2008-03-26T14:34:00.000-07:00

Review:-

Very different and interesting for me, acoustic and rocky folky, but in a good way with jazz and soul influences. Carmen is very much carving out a niche in a different direction to the others but this should stand her in good stead.

The songs are accessible yet strong either backed by acoustic guitar or piano, the album is well produced. One or two of the tracks are slightly too rock orientated for my personal taste, for example It's over.

However when it's stripped back to just vocals and acoustics it wins me over with the hypnotic free and What I mean being the pick.

Has been picked up for distribution and available at all the good download sites.

Links
http://www.myspace.com/carmenchilesbandmusic
http://www.isound.com/carmen_chiles

Info:-
About:

Singer/guitarist/songwriter Carmen Chiles smoothly blends elements from rock, jazz and back to soul creating a sound so unique it demands a genre of its own. When her music falls on virgin ears, it instantly launches one into a realm where such a strong and welcoming passion is rarely experienced in today's music.

Inspiration:

She has an equal love of life and music and finds that the two are inseparable. Carmens unique personality and exuberance for her work was best explained when she said, Life is love, love is life; nothing else really matters. I try to express this concept within every song that I write thus creating the evolution of my soul.

Music:

Carmens songs strive to tell the tales of the unsung heroes in society; the everyman that works hard but never gets acknowledged. She also looks to her friends and the conversations she has with them as inspiration. Inspiration can strike anywhere for Carmen, always with stunning results. But, she doesnt rely on just luck to find interesting things to write about. Carmen works hard to maintain and reinvent her lush, soulful sound. She says, I play my guitar everyday and write music on a regular basis. It is her dedication to music that has taken her this far and what will allow her to surpass what she has done before.

Album Release:

Currently, Carmen is recording her first full length solo album entitled SOULution which will be released March 2007. The album produced by executive producer Nink and producer/engineer J. Wicks, will feature several special guests, including legendary platinum recording artist Troop, Heads Up Records Recording Artist Walter Beasley, Blind Pig Recording Artist Billy Perry and bassist Chris Sullivan.

Pete Philly & Perquisite - Mystery Repeats

2008-03-25T13:43:00.000-07:00

Review:- This is very nice indeed, innovative hip hop from the Euro based duo, heavily laced in jazzy vibes. Excellently produced and full of flow, laid back and not in your face, reminiscent of the old school, well the mid school (sic) if there is such a thing, like De La Soul, that kind of thing.

The tracks heavy on the jazz side appeal most (to me), like womb to womb, hectic or Believer, the latter prretty much is a jazzy vocal track rather than being hip hop.

Third degree is a great track, very moody with flute prominent.

Consistent and solid throught out

Tracks:-

1. Clap Kick Flow

2. Womb To Tomb

3. Fish To Fry

4. Hectic

5. Q&A

6. Believer

7. Awake

8. Traveller

9. Last Love Song

10. Freestyle

11. Third Degree

12. Balance

13. Empire

14. High Tide

15. Mystery Repeats

16. Time Flies

Links:-
http://www.myspace.com/petephillyandperquisite
http://www.petephillyandperquisite.com/

Info:- Amsterdam is a cultural magnet. Attracting people for all sorts of reasons. And some of them never leave. With the people who settled here from Africa, South America and Asia,Amsterdam is boosting with multi cultural energy. The energy you find in cities like Barcelona,London, Marseille, Berlin, and San Francisco. An international vibe, where everyone finds a way to communicate with each other. Languages and cultures melt into something new, far away from the old 'nation-state'. The exponent of that vibe is Pete Philly. Born in the Caribbean, he came to The Netherlands at a young age. Grew up in an international environment, it was no wonder he was breathing, dreaming and eventually started rhyming in English. Searching for the right musical direction, he coincidentally ran into Perquisite: an architecture student, who was spending all of his spare time as a producer experimenting with everything ranging from classical music to, jazz, broken beats and hip hop, and at the same time studying the cello and running his own hip hop label, Unexpected Records. Pete Phillyand Perquisite found each other in their quest to widen the boundaries of the hip hop genre, which is dominated by meaningless bling videos, lyrics about boobs and guns, and music deprived from any form of creativity. Pete and Perq phrased their mission "bringing analog sound back in times of plastic." They went back to the meaning and inspiration of the past and generated something new and fresh. It took them nearly 2 years of hard work to perfectionize the sound they could call their own. The result was the 17-tracker 'Mindstate' - which saw the light of day in the Spring of 2005.

Amsterdam, summer 2007. The 2-year route brought the duo from a small upper room 'Mindstate' release party, via gigs in Cape Town, France, Spain, Germany, Scandinavia, Los Angeles, performing with the likes of Kanye West, Saïan Supa Crew and James Brown (RIP), to festivals and sold out shows all over the place. With a suitcase full of new encounters, touring experiences, and new musical inspiration the band traveled to a little house in the North of France to write, and worked night and day in their Amsterdam studio to finish their second full length. The result they named 'Mystery Repeats'. The boundaries of hip hop are being tested even further. Added to their sound of jazz, classical and soul, are influences from all over the globe: flamenco, samba, reggae and afro beat. 'Mystery Repeats' is a sonic document boosting with diversity and ambition. Destined to reveal itself anywhere, anytime.

Eric Stinnett - Chocolate Soul

2008-03-25T13:12:00.000-07:00

Review - I must apologise for the inordinate delay in getting to this, after first making contact with Eric last Summer in connection with the International Soul Summit. However the delay has made me revisit the album and I find it more accessible than I did in the first place.

This EP of 5 tunes showcases and introduces Eric's material. My Life's Breath, the intro has a church feel to it, but essentially is a building ballad, and perfectly fits the key component, which is Eric's voice, which is taken through the ranges against some excellent piano and keys. A very nice track indeed.

Back in Town complete with Old Skool sample (which is so familiar but I can't at this minute put a name to, it'll come to me!) is slightly more R'n'B but still mellow and moody.

Whiplash is the track chosen for prominence by way of ringtones etc. It is jazzier and funkier, and more upbeat.

Constantly whilst it brings it back down, has a very prominent backbeat, a nu soul ballad, again with fine vocals, in the mould of Eric Roberson.

Jack of all trades is stripped right back to acoustic guitar and vocals, and is very much a track that would work live, indeed the whole set has been pretty much laid down live, so what you hear is what you get.

From a UK perspective it is not clear where this might fit in, it is definitely more attuned to the US, as I see it. That said it is bsolutely fine by me, and i particularly like th eopening track.

Links:-
http://www.myspace.com/estinnettmusic

Info:-
Eric Stinnett is a soulful R&B singer born and raised in Dallas, Texas. While his looks may be reminiscent of the R&B singer Joe, he sounds more like his other influences: Brian McKnight, D’Angelo, Anthony Hamilton, Maxwell, Raphael Saadiq and others from the Neo-Soul movement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Like many other great soul singers, he too honed his early musical gifts singing in the church. He excelled at trombone while playing in several jazz groups and ensembles at the high school & collegiate level. It was there where he discovered a love for jazz and began weaving it into his own gospel and soul-inspired vocal style. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- His latest project, "Chocolate Soul", embodies this new sound in his live-recorded EP. The first single, "Whiplash" has been getting rotation on Internet radio and in the UK ever since debuting in the Atlanta International Soul Summit 2007. During the conference, "Whiplash" received accolades from industry professionals such as platinum Singer/Songwriter/Vocal Arranger Kipper Jones and made an impression on many others. Demand Eric Stinnett come to your town next and get your fix!!

Cole Davis - Ferris Wheel

2008-03-03T13:57:00.000-08:00

Review:- Very nice, easy, relaxing and refreshing and instantly likeable. What also stands out is the musicianship and the form. Despite being billed R'nB Folk and being essentially a five piece the experience is considerably enhanced by some sweet strings and some fine sax - the musicianship is exemplary demonstrating Cole's background and training.

When is a great opener, sets the scene, style and tone, and is sooo catchy. Gentleman
features Cole on piano, strong vocals, mellow horns and builds into one of the top tracks.

Some glorious sax breaks turn The Candle You Can't Light into a top track indeed.
His Girl is funkier, again with some fine breaks, and very reminiscent of Joan Armatrading, and one of my top tracks.

Far From The Tree, It Ain't and The Cost are mellow and folky yet soulful, with faultless delivery and production. Better In My Mind is kinda similar yet the vocals are stronger and more upfront

Concludes with the title track Ferris Wheel and on that note I suggest we go round again!

There is such an ease and professionalism exuding from this that I heartily recommend it. It is neither full on punchy gutsy soul music of the old school, nor does it follow any neo trend, but it stands alone but remains soulful and fresh.

Links:-
myspace.com/coledavismusic

Click album cover to purchase and for samples:-

Info:- Cole Davis, a singer, songwriter, pianist, guitarist, violinist, and violist. The only thing more varied than her choice of instrument is her musical style and genre. Classically trained in the violin and viola she traded them in for the piano, the guitar and the pen. Her music is a blend of R&B’s groove and the composition of jazz brought together by a profound lyrical statement.

Ferris Wheel, the inaugural release on her own label (Semaj), solely written and composed by Cole Davis is a musical hybrid of R&B, jazz, folk and soul. All the elements are joined by her perspective on relationships and the world we live in. “Far From The Tree” examines family relationships while “The Cost” ask us all to question our relationship to our world. Lyrics that provoke an inner dialogue yet beg for the truth to be shared with one another. Davis is garnering fans through her expanding tour efforts and the worldwide visibility of the internet.

She is joined by Peter Horvath, Ken Harrill, Dewayne Pate, Billy “Shoes” Johnson and Kenneth Nash, the San Francisco Bay Area’s finest and world renowed for their instrumental stylings. This is the first printing of Ferris Wheel, a limited edition disc for those who are fans from the onset.

Listen to "When", "Far From The Tree", "It Aint" & "Ferris Wheel" at
myspace.com/coledavismusic

Mia Zuniga - Stories such as these

2008-02-19T14:49:00.001-08:00

Review - Mia possesses a voice of the utmost clarity and she and her writing and production team know exactly what fits and what is needed, and the album exudes a professionalism and a comfort.

The writing is consistly strong and the execution is exemplarary. So if acoustic soul is where your at then this is for you, though its also cool when it gets down and funky on say Older Days.

From the opener 6 AM you can see that the musicianship and production is tight and the songs ease and flow through a gamut of emotions.

A standout track is the bluesy Between the Lines, mellow, sultry and moody. Rise featuring Tyson runs it close.

Consistently strong, not a bad track and an album that you can simply run from front to back and relax in teh journey it takes you on.

Links: - www.myspace.com/miazuniga
www.miazuniga.com

Click Album cover to purchase and to hear samples

Info : - Slick, but above all, soulful R&B: polish without pretense, barefoot and pretty, like the girl in the cover photo. Love Music, the name of the Pittsburg native's record label, is a perfect fit, for Stories Such as These is a total pleasure.
tracks

"I've been singing since I was three, but I've loved music since before I can even remember." -Mia Zuniga...At three years old, acoustic-soul songstress Mia Zuniga had already been singing along to tunes on the radio while sitting in the back of her mother's car. By the time she reached the age of nine, she had already begun writing her own songs. A classically trained vocalist, a then seventeen year old Zuniga began training with highly touted voice instructors Silvester Henderson (UC Berkeley) and Pamela Brooks. Despite such an early musical background, it was not until 2002 that the East Bay Area native picked up a guitar, a gift from her uncle, and within three weeks, she became the rhythm guitarist for her christian college group. In 2004 while attending Los Medanos College, she met and began working closely with local songwriter/producers David Tam and Adam Frakes. "We were working on various other projects and asked Mia to come in and help us with backing vocals on a track. Moments into the session, we discovered that Mia was much more than just a session vocalist," says Tam. The chemistry they shared sparked the motivation to begin recording Zuniga's forthcoming solo album debut, STORIES SUCH AS THESE. It is an honest self portrait that reflects Mia Zuniga's thoughts on family, her experiences with love, and her faith in God by blending various musical styles that include Soul, R&B, Rock and Gospel, giving the collection of songs a sound of its own.

Sonya E Henderson - Dimensions of Love

2008-02-19T11:38:00.000-08:00

Review:-

Kicks off with an appealing sultry sexy slow jam, The Juice, which sets a mood a little reminiscent of Adina Howard. The mood and vibe continues on Candy which is nice and easy but I feel it needs to let rip at some point and it doesn't, pleasant enough though.

I Can't Deny It is another mood play with catchy hook and more percussive backbeat. Delicious Kind gets funkier, its not at all hip hop but it reminds me of old skool hip hop for some reason, the harder backbeat, moody trumpet kicking in and persistent hook, nice track.

To this point its pretty good, quite faultless but somehow lacking power. I Like It therefore is welcome, whilst downbeat and acoustic, it actually comes across stronger because of a more powerful vocal. And Good Thang adds further variety.

But the killer cut for me is A Special Love, funky opening, midtempo lilting groove, a hook to die for and a track I would have thought the UK would like. No One is another of my favourite tracks, funky yet predominantly acoustic, touches of trumpet, and an old skool feel. Nothin' More is much heavier especially on the guitar front.

Finishes with a couple of remixes A Special Love (Trance Mix) and Delicious Kind (Funkalicious Mix)

Yes I like this album, pretty solid throughout, several first class tracks and pretty much above average all the way through.

Links: - www.myspace.com/sonyaehenderson

To purchase, hear clips etc click album cover

Info:- Sonya E. Henderson, a native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, made her mark early in her teens as a dominant force in women’s basketball. After a successful four years at North Forsyth High School, she went on to Division One, Wake Forest University, where she earned her place as one of the top players in the Division. Sonya E. earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Communications and Theater Arts in 2002. Sonya E. is founder and President of Ladies Wit Game Corporation founded in 2002. After college, Sonya E. traveled to Europe to play basketball as well as pursuing a career in music. Her first single, “The Atmosphere That Surrounds Me,” was an international hit record that reached the Top Ten in Germany. The European experience served as a base for Sonya E. to develop her musical influences. In 1998 Sonya E. arrived back in the USA to begin her latest music project. This consisted of a rap tune entitled “Ladies With Game.” This song featured Sonya E.’s vast knowledge of basketball put to some of the slickest music productions of today. Producer Roderick Dephat Carter was the creator of the music tracks behind this initial endeavor. Rod’s multi talents are very evident in this project as he uses his experiences as musician (alto sax, keyboards), technician and producer to provide a solid commercial musical format for Sonya E.’s lyrics. Sonya E. has completed a promotional video entitled “Ladies With Game (original and Action Versions),” and four commercials/jingles promoting women’s basketball. Pump Audio of Red Hook, New York is currently using different versions of Sonya E.’s Ladies With Game (Lady Ballers) on MTV and VH1 shows. A major local radio station is also playing Ladies With Game music. Ultimately Sonya E. combined her lyrics and the talents of Angela Pittman, a fellow rapper, who performs her unique lyrical flow on the track. West Coast producer/guitarist Charles Michael Bryant (Moska Sound) also contributes his “Cali” mix to the project. After completing the basketball song, Sonya E. and Charles Michael Bryant combined to write, produce, and record a full-length CD to reestablish Sonya E. as an artist with a new voice that fits into today’s neo-soul format. The finished album has fourteen songs which showcase Sonya E.’s sultry voice with the jazz/R&B styling of Charles Michael Bryant and Roderick Dephat Carter. The CD firmly establishes Sonya E. as a fresh new artist with her own unique and soulful style. Sonya E. combines her talent with the sensual and sassy voice of Shannon Williams, featured artist; Antoinette Bartlett, background harmony coach and vocalist; and Yolande’ Harrison, Sidney Preston, Marvell Redd, Erika Thompson, background vocalists. Roderick Dephat Carter contributed his talents to the production of this project.

Harmony in Life Records - New Releases

2008-02-17T04:38:00.000-08:00

Harmony In Life (HNL) Records

Harmony in Life is a well established outlet for Indepenedent Soul Music based in Atlanta under the guidance of Ron Smith. The live performances at SugarHill are legendary.

Having had the opportunity to meet and talk with Ron about his accomplishments and his visions it is great that he has extended his 'product' into the label.

The first two releases are:-

Dain Harris' debut single, "Open Book"

Dain Harris' debut single, "Open Book" on a DJ Kemit-produced song

DAIN HARRIS is a young R&B singer/songwriter with an old soul. Born & raised in Atlanta, GA, this seasoned 21 year-old performer has shared the stage with India Arie, Keite Young, Chrisette Michelle, Eric Roberson and Anthony David, just to name a few. He now exhibits his vocal and songwriting skills in his EP, FOR THE MOMENT. (Release Date: February 19

If I Had

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Brandon A. Thomas' debut single, "Measure Up" feat. Deonna Martin (HNL Records)

Brandon A. Thomas' debut single, "Measure Up". This song which features vocals by Deonna Martin.

From his corn rows to his cowboy boots, BRANDON THOMAS is a Georgia original.

This Atlanta-born guitarist first learned to play while sitting by a creek in the north Georgia mountains. Today, he not only lends his talents to soul, rock and jazz artists throughout the nation but he has created his own unique sound. That sound is on display on his EP, A SOUL ACOUSTIC.

Zanya Laurence - Soul Theory

2008-01-31T13:55:00.001-08:00

Review:-

Commencing with This Is My Life which is a great opener in that it is easy, accessible, comfortable and leads you to want to hear more and to see how this builds. And there is no disappointment, the tracks come thick and fast, are all different in some respects taking from soul and jazz, new and old.

And it soon becomes clear that whilst there is no full on, smack you in the face, monster track this album is more than competent, the level of consistency is high.

Down & Out is one of the top tracks for me it is punchier, and the vocals are strong and more stretched within Zanya's zone. You feel that she knows her voice, where it fits, the style it fits and all that makes the album thoroughly listenable from start to finish.

A long road is mellow and acoustic with a feelgood touch, Rhythm is moodier and sultry and featuring also Smoke Dawg. A matter of time and the excellent Sunday continue with those sultry tones and qualities.

A very good and consistent album

Links:-
http://www.zanyamusic.com/
Click on album cover for samples and to purchase:-

Info:-
Zanya's sweet, yet moving sound showcases her early influences of urban R&B, and jazzy Soul. Born in Southern California and raised in New Mexico, Zanya began performing at the age of six. From dance to choir, she was clearly a natural. Before honing her songwriting and performance skills, her musical evolution encompassed learning to play the classical guitar at her fathers knee. Influenced and inspired by genres such as R&B, Hip-Hop, Funk, Blues and Jazz, Zanya has incorporated her creative writing and raw emotion into the lyrics found on her independent debut, "Soul Theory", recorded at her privately owned studio, "Soul Spot Music".

She's had 2 songs nominated for recognition in the New Mexico Music Awards in 2004 and 2 more that were nominated in the Rhythm and Blues category for 2007. She now ranks 7 on trakheadz.com worldwide independent artist top 15 list. She stays true to her art and to making music that moves others in a rare way.

Zanya was always involved in music growing up, whether it was playing in band or singing in regional talent competitions, but it wasn't until 1997 that she was introduced to her first studio experience. It was at that point that she realized she had found her niche. With years of struggle and desire, came the sweet proof of an aspiring artist growing toward her prime. Feeling trapped, she knew she had to make a move. It was either New York or California. She found MI, sent her application with her recording and was accepted that very week. So she packed her car and drove off to the place "where dreams come true", but little did she know that LA would be so cluttered with uninspired hopeful's that she might very well get lost in the shuffle.

Nevertheless, she soldiered on emotionally and financially, and recently graduated from the Vocal Institute of Technology at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California with extensive training in theory, performance and music business, while also studying the art and roots of Jazz and Blues. Selected by A&R, she came in first place out of 50 of MI's finest singer/songwriters in the Artist Development Program, earning the respect of her musical peers and instructors alike. She performed the Hollywood area regularly with The Zanya Laurence Band and is currently back in the studio, creating the soulful grooves you love to vibe to.

Although she has been compared to several established artists, her unique style can be heard through her passionate expression, phrasing, and thoughtful delivery. At the end of the day, Zanya's sound is truly one of a kind...

Kendra Ross - New Voice

2008-01-30T13:56:00.000-08:00

Review:-
One of the top independent soul albums of last year, and I was previewing tracks from here at a very early stage probably in teh first half of last year on my Solar slots. And I am still playing the album regularly today.

The album has the enduring quality that each time you listen to it a different track stands out. Right now for me it's the mellow and wonderful I'm So Okay with some lovely keys by Chris Rob.

I have met Kendra several times now and consider her a friend as are many of the people connected with this album like Chris Rob, Skoota Warner and the producer Christian Ver Halen amongst others. That said take my word for it - it is good!

The musicianship is real, the production tight, the material solid and the performance excellent, whether its the funky Real Deal or the wonderful Send Somebody to love or the ability to gain asistance from Talib Kweli or Eric Roberson.

Top notch Independent Real Soul Music

Links:-
www.kendraross.com
To purchase hear samples click album cover

Info:-
Kendra Ross is a truly gifted singer and performer. With her beautifully smooth voice and impressive songwriting talent, she is an artist in high demand. In her short career she has already worked with celebrated artists such as Kanye West, Talib Kweli, Omar, Faith Evans, and many more. She has appeared on NBC’s The Today Show and BET’s 106th and Park and has been featured in O magazine.

Kendra is now celebrating the release of her debut album titled New Voice. The long-awaited project, co-produced with longtime collaborator/music director Christian Ver Halen, is comprised of all original compositions. Many of the best touring and session musicians on the music scene today are featured on the album, including Teodross Avery (Amy Winehouse), Maurice Brown (Ramsey Lewis), Lonnie Plaxico (Cassandra Wilson), Chris Rob (John Legend), Daniel Sadownick (Matisyahu), and Skoota Warner (Santana). The album also features performances by Talib Kweli, Eric Roberson, and more.

Critically-acclaimed hip hop recording artist Talib Kweli wrote of the talented singer/songwriter in the liner notes of his Gold-selling album Quality (on which she wrote and performed): “Kendra’s talented, beautiful, and one of a kind.” Time Out New York has hailed Kendra as “an underground soul singer with a mellifluously fluid voice” and BBC’s Radio 1Xtra declared her to be “...the divine Kendra Ross.”

Fully aware of the iconic legacy associated with her last name by a triple threat performer whom she has admired since childhood, Kendra is set to garner her own respect and attention. Get ready to be introduced to the new Ms. Ross.

Ann Nesby - This is Love

2008-01-30T13:32:00.000-08:00

Review -
Still catching up on last years album's! This one has featured regularly in my DJ spots playing out and on the radio, hence the delay in getting something down in writing. Ann possesses one of the most instantly recognised and powerful voices in the Soul World and none more so than on this album. She also has a presence that commands respect amongst her peers resulting in tangible emotion.

I probably have played I can't explain it more than most as it is a dancefloor essential but personally I prefer the slightly more mellow This could be love. I apologise is also near to being the best track and that is even slower still!

10 tracks in the old days would have seemed sufficient but nowadays it doesn't seem much, but it is all quality making it an essential purchase.

Song Title	Time	Price
	1. I Can't Explain It	4:36	$0.99
	2. I Apologize	5:01	$0.99
	3. This Could Be Love	4:03	$0.99
	4. Special Occasion	3:40	$0.99
	5. Step	3:41	$0.99
	6. Thank God	4:51	$0.99
	7. Tables Turn	4:03	$0.99
	8. Never Forget You Remembered	3:42	$0.99
	9. Its So Easy Lovin' U	6:33	$0.99
	10. See U Cry	4:05	$0.99

Links -
www.annnesby.com
www.shanachie.com
Info:-

ANN NESBY

ANN NESBY is the Grammy-winning original lead singer for the successful Jimmy Jam/Terry Lewis-produced contemporary gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Ann went solo in 1996 and is a 2005 Stella Award nominee for her vocal performance on the latest Sounds Of Blackness recording. She appeared in a feature role in the film "The Fighting Temptations." IN THE SPIRIT is Ann's first full-on gospel album. It includes a sublime version of Stevie Wonder's "Heaven Is 10 Zillion Lightyears Away" and a powerful rendition of Bill Wither's "Grandma's Hands."

G John Martin - Black Ice

2008-01-28T14:04:00.000-08:00

Review:-
Big thanks for Mike Ward for getting me on to this one, some months ago now. However I have been playing this on my radio slots and elsewhere but now have a minute to get something down here.

Several top tracks, one of which If you only knew featured as one of my top tracks of 2007. Instant, harmonic, R'n'B vibe but nonetheless still eminantly soulful.

I kinda get bugged by perceptions that nu soul has to be of the same styles as old soul, when soul, to me at least is organic, and must represent what is actually happening now. This is the kind of album, maybe not all the way through, but certainly the top 4 or so tracks, that i am really feeling right now

The opener Baby Girl sets the format strongly into strong vocalled new mellow R'n'B, a track that I am coming back to more than I did at the outset.

Black Ice, the title track, and sort of tag line, not to keen on personally, catchy though but there's a sort of Bee Gees hook that puts me off! Hey Pretty Girl has some Latin tinges.

Something Special is a pleading relationship ballad. Tick...Tick...Tock is another storytelling R'n'B cut that ranks among the best tracks. V.I.P. is maybe a bit more formulaic, dancehall kind of groove but catchy and OK.

Quiet Time is a fine slow slow ballad. In fact as we get to the back end of the album we firmly into slow jam territory Beg And Plead, and the family orientated, (children perspective) From The Heart and (partner orientated) In Love Again and There's No 'I' In We.

Links:-
http://gjohnmartin.com/
Purchase and hear snippets click album cover:-

Info: -
G John Martin, born in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is without doubt one of America's most talented vocalists. He is an artist who personifies art. His music as well as his being creates unified melodies manifested with balance, life and wisdom. At age seven, G John Martin discovered the Bass Guitar and like a dove from the sky the vision of his life’s destiny was born. By age twelve he found an interest in creating and producing songs of his own, he formed a local band, taught himself several other instruments and studied further the development of his unique sound. Not only did he manage to play the drums, bass and guitar, he realized his voice. Soon it would be clear his personal testimony and the beginning of his musical career. His professional journey began at age eleven during a visit to Hollywood. He quickly caught the ear of performer James Mitchell of the "Detroit Emeralds". Offering him a role in the development of musical pieces for several projects including his first tour. With his encouragement he quickly moved to study music and began what would become a long history of music production, Groups to his name, 7 mile under the Sony label, it wasn’t long before he was afforded many opportunities to master his craft. Within the next ten years, G John Martin felt the pressures and practices of the music business overshadowed his passion of music. Deciding he would no longer work under the influences of corporate ideals and demands, he chose to quiet himself, find spiritual solace and honor his soul. This led him to Japan, a culture based on divination, deriving from a culture of people that was made of order. Black Ice would embark on what is now his dream come true of owning his own company JP Entertainment & Nitram Records.

Glynis says: "My life is music. I was a singer when I was born and remain a singer today." His musical influences include Donny Hathaway, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Maurice White and Stevie Wonder. Glynis' first tour as a bassist and background vocalist was at the age of 11 with the Soul/R&B Group "DETROIT EMERALDS" also having toured throughout the world with the likes of EARL KLUGH/GEORGE BENSON, AFTER 7, CLARK SISTERS, UNV of "THE MADONNA GIRLIE TOUR" and Japan's Speed, Anri, YUKI KOYANAGI and KEN HIRAI, just to name a few. His amazing stage presence is with a love for his music that is best described as a total addiction.

Welcome to the world of G John Martin, whose wonderful style compliments a voice which cuts through the air like a cold knife then melts it's way into your heart like warm butter. Uh Ohhh!...WATCH OUT LADIES!!!!!

Will Preston - Caught In The Act...The LIVE Experience: CD/DVD (All Regions)

2008-01-23T13:52:00.000-08:00

Review: -

An excellently packaged and put together set of CD and DVD of Will Preston Live at Shaftman Performance Hall. The DVD certainly enhances the CD as it is obviously nice to see pictures of the performance - it helps capture the feel of the evening.

Will plays many tracks from his previous album, and a few more in front of a knowing and appreciative audience. Looking at this from the outside and from an era where independent CD's can be put together in various scenarios, from 'performers' who maybe don't have a following or haven't left the confines of their bedroom studio, it is great to see something 'real' - real performance, real musicianship, real craft.

The performance is solid indeed and it is more difficult to pick out select tracks from a live performance but I particularly like Afterplay and the building Second chance with fine support from the background vocalists.

Also a good interpretation of Luther's here and now. The album builds into the undoubtable finale and signature It's My Will and cementing himself as a true contender amongst the new soul performers of today, but there is also the style, poise and respect to the old school.

Links:-
http://www.willpreston.com/index_main.html

Click album cover for soundbites and to purchase:-

Info: -
R&B singer Will Preston boldly re-enters the spotlight with his new release “Caught In The Act...The LIVE Experience”. This double disc CD/DVD combo is the follow-up to his highly successful debut project “It’s My Will”, released in 2005 by West King Entertainment. Recorded during a stop on the It’s My Will tour, “Caught In The Act...The LIVE Experience” captures Will in fine form. As always, his music takes us on an emotional journey but with this live performance he gives us even more. What you get is an artist who is clearly in control of his craft. To witness him live is truly an intimate experience. Like many great R&B singers, Will really comes to life on stage. His delivery is heartfelt, rousing and genuine.

Much of the material on “Caught In The Act…” draws from the “It’s My Will” catalog, but there are a few surprises as well. Will does a masterful take on Luther Vandross’s “Here and Now” and also tackles the R&B staple “Let’s Chill” with relative ease. Fans who loved “It’s My Will” will enjoy the new edge now placed on those original songs. In particular, “Second Chance” is sure to be a pleaser. The new arrangement and addition of the lead guitar gives this Will penned tune a fiery seductive edge. His passionate delivery of “Afterplay” is spellbinding and far exceeds the emotion exhibited on the original. From the intro to the final track, a string laden stirring rendition of “It’s My Will”, Will is noticeably in his element. It’s no wonder that among indie music fans he’s often regarded as “Mr. R&B”. When it’s time to chill and listen to the sounds of “real R&B”, Will is the go-to-man. His style is sophisticated yet hip and he’s been privileged to enjoy success with audiences of all ages.

Will’s talents as a singer/songwriter were revealed with his debut project, but this release gives us a deeper more intimate glimpse into his artistry. His composure and charm on stage rivals that of any veteran artist. He is quick to connect and instantly engaging. It’s hard to decide whether to listen to the CD first or watch the DVD. Needless to say, either order will give instant satisfaction. With this release, Will takes one giant step closer to solidifying his rank as one of the best voices in R&B.

Albright ft Vivian Sessoms - Sunny One Day

2008-01-17T14:13:00.001-08:00

Review:-

This is a bit of a side issue before I get on to the review but last year I went To Joe's Pub principally to see my friend Stephanie McKay at a thing that Roberta Flack was hosting. Top of the bill was Sherrod and Jerry Barnes and their musicianship was exceptional, so on opening this package and seeing that Sherrod featured prominantly I knew the production, feel and musicianship would be good. The album also features Heavy's Casey Benjamin who guested that night as well along with friend of the site Eric Brown of Black-I. Looking at Albright's website there is a picture of Vivian with Roberta Flack, so my guess is that she was there that night and we were very close!, as I have a similar picture that I took of Roberta with Steve Wallace.

Anyway enough about all that but suffice to say this album Albright, Chris Parks instrumentalist and Vivian Sessoms, principally vocals is very strong indeed. Faultless production with fine musicians, well structured compositions and excellent vocals.

The first track that really fired me was Love can turn you around is a stunning ballad which allows the vocals to ooze soulfully above a fairly sparse backing building into a wonderful ending.

It's Alright is just a tad more upbeat on what is essentially a mellow downbeat album, vocals come across huskier and earthier. Oh Baby starts of very harmonically then includes some heavyish guitar work becomes fairly rock orientated.

Sunny One Day, i wouldn't particularly say that being the title track it is the strongest track, but that said it is very nice indeed, with quite a bit going on and a hook that runs around in yor head, and an optimistic lyric.

He Who Knows, is nice, very much structured around the vocals and the story - one of those tracks that you could get lost in when performed live, accompanied by some excellent guitar, and Nicky of Heavy crops up to.

Ghettoland is altogether funkier bass heavy, and harsher vocals and certainly a feature track. Heroin' is another of the 'harder' tracks, strong vocals over a strong stripped down beat, but the song really builds. Faith is a catchy thing which i really quite like.

The version of Tainted Love (called Tainted) is mellowed right down, and has a certain knowingness but personally not too keen but maybe its because the song has been ruined for me (in UK Soul Circles especially) by over exposure (and thats Gloria Jones, and not the excrutiating pop version). The best I can see is that Albright stamp their own mark on it and give it some kind of originality. The closing tracj Fading Out is also a highlight

This is a long album, lots of different styles both musically and lyrically. There is therefore lots to take in, and the excellence of the production means that you will keep revisiting it to take in all the different nuances, and go back to tracks that you might on first hearing have discarded. Recommended.

Links:-
http://www.albrightmusic.com/home.html

Click Picture under for samples and to purchase:-

Vivian's Bio:-

“You have to feel good about what you’re saying if you want anyone else to buy into it,” explains Vivian Sessoms with absolute certainty. “It’s important to me to mean what I say when I’m singing it. It can’t simply be just a collection of words.” For Vivian, years of hard work, and a life surrounded by music have ingrained the passion and power of music in her soul.

Born and raised in Harlem, Vivian, whose mother was a session/jingle-singer, and whose father was a flautist/percussionist who'd played with the likes of James Brown and Gloria Lynne, learned the wonder of music at a young age. Surrounded by nightclubs, churches and regular jam sessions at her family’s home, she was already singing by the time she could talk. “Growing up, there was always music to express the way I was feeling. I viewed music as a kind of backdrop to my life,” she recalls.

By the time she was nine, Vivian had begun work doing television and radio voiceovers. With the help of an agent, she had made the rounds of auditions for various Broadway plays, all while classically training her voice and her skills as a pianist. Around the age of 16, Vivian began composing her own songs, following in the footsteps of her musician parents.

Years later, while on one of her first major tours, performing with pianist/composer Ryuichi Sakamoto (whose film credits include the score for Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Little Buddha, High Heels), Vivian had her eyes and ears opened to an entirely new world of sound and became galvanized. Sakamoto taught Vivian much about song-craft, performance and musicianship. She absorbed as much as she could from the brilliance of his artistry. She found herself surrounded by accomplished, seasoned musicians like drummer Manu Katche (Peter Gabriel, Sting), Victor Bailey (Weather Report, Madonna) and Darryl Jones (Miles Davis, Rolling Stones). Sakamoto expected her to behave on par with those musicians, placing her in the spotlight as a featured vocalist, and teaching her to sing in Japanese. She in turn pushed herself tirelessly towards perfection as both a singer and performer.

Several years of résumé building followed, with Vivian performing, either live or in the studio, with an amazing array of artists including: Michael Jackson, Donna Summer, P. Diddy, Sinead O Connor, and Stevie Wonder. She did a stint with Virgin Music Publishing and then signed on as an artist and staff writer with K.G. of Naughty By Nature, though an album was never released. She even went on to write and perform as a guest artist on a number of Sakamoto’s later releases, but unlike with Sakamoto, none of these situations would touch her the way future partner Chris Parks would.

Chris and Vivian met during a recording session he was producing, where Vivian was again hired as a guest vocalist. Though things were touch and go in the beginning, the pair began recommending one another to other artists in their respective circles. This, in turn, created repeated scenarios for Vivian and Chris to work together numerous times, eventually discovering that in addition to their mutual respect for one another’s talents, they made a formidable team.

Whereas Sakamoto’s influence on Vivian had been more of a mentorship, Chris’ was that of an equal, the two forging a partnership in the truest sense of the word. Combining their talents to write songs for other artists, the two stumbled upon brilliance almost by accident, “It was like being hammered over the head,” exclaims Vivian when recalling their pairing, “I realized I had finally found my niche with Chris!” That was the beginning of their joint production company "Black Cherri" that has since written, produced or remixed songs for a number of artists.

At a music exec’s suggestion, while re-recording songs they had originally written for another artist, Chris, Vivian and a few of the players on the demo’s began reshaping tunes and writing new material. They instantly realized they had stumbled onto something exciting, thus forming the group Albright. The end result is "Sunny One Day", an album recorded over the course of three years at their Suprdupr Sound Studio in Brooklyn. Striving to make the album an entity unto itself, a complete body of work, and not just a collection of songs, the pair fine-tuned until they were satisfied. A unique mixture of soul & jazz, tinged with rock and coupled with stunningly beautiful melodies and lush instrumentation, the duo succeeds where many other artists fail, in creating music that has instant familiarity and warmth.

If there’s any truth to Vivian’s credo that you have to truly believe in what you are saying before anyone else can, and be willing to present a well-thought out idea and stand behind it with passion, then she’s already won half the battle with "Sunny One Day".