I Win (2012)
Marvin Sapp has been through a lot in the last few years. Gospel music fans know that MaLinda Sapp, the pastor and gospel artist’s wife of 18 years, died of cancer in 2010. That probably means that the Sapp family confronted the illness when Sapp was making records that spoke about God’s power to bring […]
I Missed Us (2012)
Years before Destiny’s Child bemoaned their cash-flow-deficient boyfriends and shortly after TLC declared they weren’t too proud to beg, there were the Sisters With Voices, a.k.a. SWV. A trio that met in school and cultivated their harmonies in a church sanctuary, Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George and Cheryl “Coko” Clemons expanded those gospel-flecked serenades […]
Hidden Gems (2012)
Thanks to his understated elegance, impeccable phrasing and sophisticated style of delivering soul music, it’s hard to believe that anyone can say they’ve never heard, or heard of, Luther Vandross. Before he passed in 2005, the 54-year-old singer/songwriter/producer, who once scraped by singing commercial jingles and background vocals, had amassed a quarter century’s worth of […]
Surreal (2012)
A band that’s been around for a while creates a body of work and a sound. That sound becomes something of security blanket for long time fans. The listener hears the opening bars of any tune and discernment can be seen in smiles and nodding heads that mark the return of friend. And then there […]
Drop Your Mask (2012)
The year was 1986 when Gregory Abbott burst onto the R&B music scene, essentially out of nowhere. The only tidbit of note about Abbott back then was that he was once wed to Freda Payne, and he had a strong academic background. But that changed quickly. With his suave, sophisticated demeanor, classic good looks and […]
Let’s Get to What’s Real (2012)
There is a price to pay for achieving your initial fame on American Idol: for a period of time, your career is not your own. Becoming a finalist on that show typically comes with strings that include both some Idol control over your initial post-show recordings as well as an inherited audience that also directs […]
Lovestry (2012)
Despite his obvious youthfulness, Jonathan Winstead’s approach to the music hustle is straight-up old school: not only does he have production, arrangement and songwriting acumen, his vocals are airy, elastic and undeniably expressive, and that potent combination is what’s thoroughly explored on his second and latest effort, Lovestry. If Mr. Winstead’s never registered on your […]
The MF Life (2012)
“Melanie, you in danger, girl,” said in my best Whoopi voice. Canadian R&B singer Melanie Fiona is not in danger of not singing well. She generally kills on vocals. She’s not in danger of not being beautiful enough in this video age. She’s a very pretty if, conversely, nondescript woman. She’s not in danger of […]
End of Five (2012)
Avery Stafford ‘s music always makes room for his gospel and his R&B influences. That was the case on his ironically named Undignified, and it is also the case for Stafford’s latest project, End of Five. I called Undignified ironically named because Stafford has the kind of mature voice that adds a level of class […]
Third Coast Kings (2012)
If you’ve watched any basketball on TV this year, you’ve probably seen your share of Blake Griffin. No crime there. He’s a pretty good basketball player and a human highlight reel. He does these monster dunks like the one he put on Kendrick Perkins that had LeBron James about ready to abdicate. Griffin’s team is […]
