Video of the Month: Heidi Tann and Kinsman Dazz Band warm us on “Island Summer”
Heidi Tann is a singer who is difficult to box in. Her music touches R&B, jazz, bossa nova and pop. And she has performed it all over the world, from her childhood in the Philippines to extensive travel performing for audiences everywhere. “My cultural heritage and my experience make me different. Even when I sing […]
Jeffrey Osborne, Kenny Lattimore head 2024 R&B Hall of Fame class
Detroit, MI- August 16, 2024 – The National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame proudly announces its all-star class of inductees for the 2024 ceremony, including celebrated artists Jeffrey Osbone, Kenny Lattimore, Candi Staton, Ginuwine, Regina Belle, Rose Marie McCoy, Buddy Miles, Terry Stewart, William Bell, Ken Hawkins, and the influential Boddie Recording Company. Additionally, special […]
Texas “Summer Soul Affair” a hit
(July 20, 2024) The Summer Soul Affair Outdoor Music Festival marked a triumphant debut in Waxahachie, TX, drawing over 2000+ attendees for its first-ever outdoor soul festival at the picturesque Railyard Park. Created and curated by K.Avett Music Group LLC and partnering with the City of Waxahachie, this enchanting evening under the stars delighted guests with a […]
Song of the Month: Acantha Lang reimagines Bill Withers classic
SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award winner Acantha Lang is a storyteller who also happens to be one of the most exciting soul singers in the world. In a time when music seems to be getting smaller and smaller, Lang has consistently brought her big vision of full-bodied, horn-filled, Southern-fried soul music to a starving world. That expansive view continues […]
Lost Gem: KANO had a big moment with “Can’t Hold Back (Your Loving)”
KANO was an Italian band heavily influenced by a blend of German Keyboard and American Sounds. Despite having two solid hits on their debut album one year earlier with the Keyboard-based and VERY Kraftwerk + Disco + Hip-Hop tracks “I’m Ready” and “Its A War”, the band recruited soul vocalist and fellow Black European by […]
Video of the Month: Helen Bruner and Terry Jones shine again
Let us start by saying we can never get enough of the Grammy-nominated production, songwriting and performing duo Helen Bruner and Terry Jones. Separately, they have worked with a who’s who of popular performers, but together they are something even more special. Their most recent album, 2nd Overture, has received universal acclaim (as well as a SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award nomination), […]
First Listen: Billy Brown of Ray Goodman & Brown returns with cool new single
(May 2, 2024) As one-third of The Moments (later known as Ray, Goodman & Brown), Billy Brown’s velvet-lined tones of soul helped craft a definitive vocal blend that solidified eternal R&B classics of the 1970s including “Love on a Two Way Street,” “Look at Me (I’m In Love),” “Sexy Mama,” and “Special Lady.” Although the original line-up […]
Choice Cut: Christian de Mesones and Nes Powers make us want to “Stay”
Jazz/funk bassist Christian de Mesones makes multiple statements by titling his upcoming album You Only Live Twice. de Mesones is a fan of James Bond films and the album’s title is a nod toward the fifth movie in the 007 franchise. However, de Mesones also had some deeply personal reasons for selecting You Only Live Twice. The title serves as […]
First Listen: Nicolay from The Foreign Exchange wants to “Roll Up”
(April 19, 2024) If someone had told the people who started celebrating 420 back in the 1970s and 80s that people would be able to openly smoke without facing legal repercussions in many American cities, those cannabis pioneers would have thought that person had some really good weed. Well, here we are. Half of the […]
First Listen: Vanessa Williams helps Chris “Big Dog” Davis go “Easy”
(April 16, 2024) Chances are if one looked back at the top of the Billboard Smooth Jazz Charts since 2008, multi-instrumentalist Chris “Big Dog” Davis was a constant presence as production guru for many recognizable urban voices like Maysa and Will Downing. And the Waterbury, Connecticut jazzman formed a long partnership playing keyboards for saxophonist Gerald Albright. […]
