(August 29, 2018) Steffen Morrison has a traditional, old school sound. However, his background is anything but traditional for a soul singer. He was born in Suriname and raised in Europe. In a way, that might help explain why Morrison can tear up some soul music, such as “Movin’ On,” the track featured in this SoulTracks First Listen. The sound that Morrison brings to “Movin’ On” and the other tracks heard on his latest project, which is also titled Movin’ On, reveal a deep knowledge and respect for soul music that is often heard in vocalist born and raised far from Detroit, Memphis, New York, New Orleans and Chicago.
“My mom and dad would buy records at any given day from all sorts of different artists. Those I remember most vividly are artists such as Otis Redding, Donny Hathaway, Curtis Mayfield, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald to name a few,” Morrison recalled. So Morrison’s parents sent their son to school with some of the greatest soul, R&B and jazz vocalists serving as his teacher. “Movin’ On,” a funky, up-tempo number that features Memphis style horns and a funkily assertive bass line can be considered Morrison’s vocal test for those new to this artist. And it is a test that Morrison’s powerful baritone drenched in the movements of the church choir stand and the blues house band stands aces with ease. Check it out.
By Howard Dukes
Steffen Morrison – “Movin’ On”