Soul Independence: Liberated (2012)
It’s only been a few months since the debut collection from Soul Independence, and by jove they have returned with the second volume of unsigned independent artists; this time subtitled Liberated. 16 tracks are presented to us for our listening pleasure, and given how good the previous album was I came to the table with […]
The Introduction (2012)
In one sense, Zacardi Cortez needs no introduction. Cortez hails from a Houston based Gospel-singing family, was mentored by John P. Kee, and recorded on albums by the likes of Kurt Carr, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Gregg Patrick and James Fortune. But Cortez is more known inside the Gospel music industry than by casual Gospel […]
Promises (2012)
He is one of the most promising young vocalists on the indie soul scene. With a lush, airy instrument that has clear church influences but moves like jazz, Nicholas Ryan Gant has been making a respectable name for himself over the last three years. Introduced to audiences with his 2009 debut, Border Breaks, Gant joined […]
24/7 (2012)
Two different musicians, multiple mixes of genres and endless hours spent perfecting it all. After decades of camaraderie and professional overlap due to solo projects and collaborations with the heavy-hitters of pop, jazz and soul, Gerald Albright and Grammy winner Norman Brown have finally joined creative forces on 24/7, a synergistic and spirited collection that […]
The Essential Mariah Carey (2012)
The definition of “essential” is interpreted in several different ways, one being “necessary” or “very important.” In 1991, Legacy Recordings, in conjunction with the Sony Records family of labels, began a series capturing artists that have made an important impact to the music industry. Now joining this distinguished list that includes modern jazz pioneer Miles […]
Seven Shades Darker (2012)
If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times: Those British singers are the only ones making decent soul music these days. I can refute that statement by identifying the deep bench of indie soul singers from the states. I’ll just say that Gregory Porter, Sy Smith, et. al., beg to differ and […]
Deep Soul Chants & Hollers (2012)
Mwalim takes full advantage of his status as an independent artist. If he had been affiliated with a label, he’d probably be pressured to make something akin to Sketches of a Neighborhood, the 2008 record he made as a part of the Bass Mint Brothers. If Mwalim had decided to make an album that embodied […]
He Said, She Said (2012)
It becomes nearly impossible to count the ways we love UK singer/songwriter Vula Malinga and multi-instrumentalist Ben Jones. The duo that forms the electronic soul and dance outfit better known as DivaGeek delivers a debut that makes us stand-up and take notice. This is what we thought J*Davey would sound like, but didn’t. Fluid, dynamic […]
Simply a Vessel, Vol. 3: Surrender All (2012)
Since Sean C. Johnson entered the independent music scene in 2006 with his Simply a Vessel series, he has continued to provide a refreshing perspective to the gospel neo-soul market. Though this genre has been making waves for some time thanks to vocalists like Lisa McClendon and Adrianne Archie, Johnson adds another dimension with smooth, […]
Go Get It (2012)
Erica and Tina Campbell, a.k.a. Mary Mary, are practically unstoppable these days, reveling in the success of their marriages, motherhood, and ministering to the masses with a hybrid of holiness and hip-hop soul. Thanks to a new niece/daughter (for Tina and Erica, respectively), upcoming Essence Music Fest dates and a just-renewed WeTV reality show, there’s […]
