Family Affair (2011)
No matter how old we get, how far we travel or what paths our futures take, there’s one influence that we can never escape—-family. For better or worse, those are the ties that unite, bind….or in some cases, gag, but who we are and where we end up can be determined by what we come […]
New Again (2011)
British soul has an identifiable sound, and contrary to the prevailing opinions of many on this side of the pond, Brits such as Julie Dexter don’t have anything about which to feel insecure. Look, soul music is an American creation; however, soul music is now an international phenomenon, and artists worldwide take the music and […]
Nu Revolution (2011)
When a critic reviews an established artist’s latter-career projects, he or she tries to enter the experience without prejudice. To let each new project speak with fresh breath, share new words and meanings without the coloration of what came before, good or bad to their subjective ear. Twelve years ago having found Les Princesses Nubiennes, […]
That Same Way (2011)
Though they haven’t had a chart hit in 30 years, the Stylistics continue to be, for many, the personification of sweet soul music. Their early 70s work with producer Thom Bell yielded some of the most popular love songs of that era — songs that continue to have an audience in 2011. But the Stylistics are hardly […]
Life Stories (2011)
A lot of people go through life convinced that they that should have been born 20 or 30 years earlier. Sheri Hixon could be forgiven if she felt that way. After listening to HIxon’s very good debut CD Life Stories, I’m convinced she’d be a star if this were 1971 or even 1981 rather than […]
Tha Funk Capitol Of The World (2011)
Like many people who have achieved elder statesman status, Bootsy Collins sees himself as an educator. Funk music is Collins’ subject of choice, but students won’t see a man in star shaped sunglass strolling through a brick and mortar campus. Collins’ Funk University is a digital campus in which serious bass players learn about technique […]
Hollyhood (2011)
Purposeful lyrics, powerful delivery, seamless production skills and voices brimming with full-bodied soul: it’s hard to get more accredited or more enjoyable than the duo of Helen Bruner and Terry Jones. A Philadelphia-based duo with an impressive resume (commercial jingles, film score work, vocals with Method Man and Redman, collaborations with Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion and […]
Memphis Still Got Soul (2011)
Southern soul music finds itself in an ironic situation. The sub-genre, a hybrid of the blues and soul music, is often ignored by younger listeners because it sounds ‘old fashioned.’ Vocalists like Johnny Rawls definitely don’t have that American Idol sound, and singers like Rawls also have to deal with the perception that Southern soul […]
The Price of Consciousness (2011)
On the cover of Maty Soul’s The Price of Consciousness, one may notice two parallel lines across her forehead that look similar to an equal sign. These lines are not intended as beauty marks, but are designed as a symbol of her mission in life – her concern for the injustices that still plague this […]
Doing Our Father’s Buisness (2011)
Doing Our Father’s Business, the new CD by the gospel quartet Soul Tempo, will have long time gospel fans trying to remember when. I can imagine listeners wracking their brains trying to recall the first – and last – time they heard anybody sing “Touch the Hem of His Garment.” That’s an oldie but goodie […]
