Be Good (2012)
As a music fan, few things conjure up excitement like the release of a new recording by an artist who scored big with his or her previous project. This artist put out a CD you kept on repeat for months, maybe even a couple of years. You couldn’t go a day without playing that record, […]
Where I Should Be
Soul singer Ward Brown is from Chicago. However, he is not a household name on the order of R Kelly – another Windy City based R&B romancer. One reason is that the latter makes music that appeals to the youth oriented, hip-hop influenced R&B market that places a premium on lyrics that are often explicit […]
Knew You Were Waiting: The Best of Aretha Franklin 1980-1998
“Think.” “Call Me.” “Respect.” “Day Dreaming.” “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman.” Long before I witnessed a live performance and met her backstage in 2008, I’ve recognized and celebrated the magnificence of Aretha Franklin. Thanks to my Baby Boomer parents, those dusky, dulcet pipes filled our home on Sunday mornings, Saturday nights and […]
Just Glow (EP)
It’s refreshing to hear a new young woman who can truly sing R&B. It feels like we’ve been missing her from the soul scene for a while. Houston-born, Chicago-raised, NYC-based Gloria Ry’ann is a musical descendant of the kind of smooth soul that introduced Faith Evans and Teedra Moses to the industry. On silky sheaths […]
The Soul of Future Worship, Vol. 1
It’s as if the Temptations were backed by Earth Wind & Fire. Right from the start, South Florida’s Sensere grabs the soul and doesn’t let go. Fresh, original, and exceedingly listenable, gospel’s future superstars gleam throughout The Soul of Future Worship, Vol. 1. Their premium musicianship, live instrumentation and skilled, rotating leads are a reminder […]
Recipe 4 Love
Ron Tyson has been a staple in R&B for more than 40 years, both as a vocalist and songwriter. Ron first came on the scene with Love Committee (formerly the Ethics) and later with as the lead tenor/falsetto for the iconic Temptations, making his first appearance with the group on the Motown 25th Anniversary television […]
Galaxy (2012)
I decided to do a little compare and contrast when I turned my attention to the review of Galaxy, the latest recording by Jeff Lorber Fusion. I reviewed Now Is the Time, JLF’s project from 2010, so I typed Lorber’s name into iTunes search application, which allowed me to zone in on songs in my […]
Walk With Me (Import)
The UK may be delivering a seemingly endless assembly line of female soul singers but the rest of Europe’s dominating soul stars are predominately male, singing from a decidedly masculine point of view. Whether it’s Nyr in France, Tuomo in Finland, Stephen Simmonds in Sweden, Alain Clark in Holland, and here with Jarle Bernhoft in […]
The Essential Kirk Franklin
Thanks to his fiery approach and flamboyant execution, Kirk Franklin has restyled, if not entirely revolutionized, contemporary gospel music. Long before his recent transformation into an author, executive producer and co-host (of BET’s Sunday Best), the singer, songwriter and performer earned seven Grammys, thirteen Dove Awards and produced multiple million-selling CDs by expanding the reach […]
Let It Be Roberta: Roberta Flack Sings the Beatles (2012)
When an artist of Robert Flack’s caliber and legacy announces that she is re-imagining The Beatles songbook, hopes run high, perhaps dangerously so. This is particularly true when no less than Yoko Ono has reportedly given the much-anticipated project her blessing and stated that “”With this collection, Roberta is adding a woman’s voice of fun […]
