Mister Nice Guy (2014)
It’s been eight albums. Usually by the eighth album a fan knows all of his or her favorite artist’s tricks, gimmicks, affectations, strengths and weaknesses—fresh surprises are the least expected. So, by this time in an artist’s career, some once devoted fans move on, bored with familiar timbre and techniques that once inspired awe and […]
Friends
Stanley Jordan’s virtuosic talent has been both a blessing and a curse. Jordan burst onto the scene in the mid 1980s with his critically acclaimed CD Magic Touch. That album introduced a lot of listeners to a stringed-instrument technique called tapping. Now, I’m not going to attempt to get to technical, but the simplest explanation […]
Lira EP (2011)
Whenever the opportunity arises, I like to scope out artists based outside the U.S. who have widely impacted their country’s pop culture. I was particularly drawn to South African R&B/jazz superstar Lira during the worldwide broadcast of the star-studded 2010 FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Concert from South Africa. Her rendition of Miriam Makeba’s signature piece, […]
Evolved… From Boys to Men
No matter what the genre or the number of players involved, ‘boy bands’ typically come to a crossroads around album #3 and have a choice to make about moving forward: are they going to grow together, grow apart, or get out/go solo? It’s hard maintaining the balance when lifelong friends work together, much less one-time […]
Still Winning (2011)
In his nearly three decades as a national recording artist, Johnny Gill has shown himself to be an immensely talented vocalist who has never reached the level of critical achievement that his talents appeared to warrant. The former classmate and friend of Stacy Lattisaw was discovered and signed by the Cotillion label when he was […]
Guitar Man
I was 12-years old in 1976 when I first heard George Benson. By that time, Benson was already a highly respected veteran jazz guitarist. My first introduction to Benson was as the vocalist whom I mistook for Stevie Wonder. Of course, now I know that was Benson’s muscular tenor on “This Masquerade,” as it would […]
How Do You Do
Those who painted a ghastly impression of Motown lovechild Mayer Hawthrone after his self-produced breakout indie disc, A Strange Arrangement, need to prepare for what’s next. The vinyl carnivore is now a credible fledgling in the mainstream stratosphere with years of exhaustive old-school research and homework to thank for his flight. Throughout his previous releases, […]
Now & Forever
The Escovedo family consists of patriarch Pete Escovedo, daughter Sheila “Sheila E” Escovedo and sons Peter Michael and Juan Escovedo. Fans of Latin Jazz, rock and funk are familiar with the Escovedos – pops and daughter especially. Pete Escovedo joined forces with Carlos Santana after years in a Latin jazz band with his brothers. Sheila […]
Laughing Down Crying (2011)
“I guess you can tell by listening to this collection that I’ve been through a lot.” So begins the liner notes on Daryl Hall’s fifth solo album and his first in the new millennium, Laughing Down Crying. Now 65 years old (really?) and forty years into his recording career, Hall is incredibly just hitting his […]
You Are Not Alone: Michael, Through a Brother’s Eyes (Book Review)
Since his excellence is indisputable and numbers don’t lie, few will deny the impact Michael Jackson had—and has—in popular music. Perhaps more than any other entertainer, the supernaturally-gifted star combined his musicial abilities and showmanship to enthrall folks from all races, creeds, religions and backgrounds, transcending boundaries and touching listeners with his soul and spirit as he poured both into spell-binding performances. However, because of such […]
