The Fonk Record (2010)
The Fonk Record is the final record Wayman Tisdale recorded before his death in 2009. Tisdale’s funk chops could be heard on his contemporary jazz albums throughout the past decade, but The Fonk Record transports listeners all the way back to the 1970s. In a way, it shouldn’t be surprising that Tisdale was a funkateer. […]
Life Lessons (2010)
Once upon a time, New Jersey native Alexis Houston found herself torn between two career choices: medicine and music. The fact that you’re reading this review means that she chose the latter, but that doesn’t mean her innate warmth and the healing qualities fail to come across in her spirited debut, Speak Love – Life Lessons. […]
Stay (2010)
Being a vocalist is an extroverted pursuit by its very nature. All of the artists who are a part of the SoulTracks family live this public life that seems to be all consuming from the outside looking in. Truth be told, an artist looking to do this music thing full time has to commit at […]
Love & Truth (2010)
Chaz Shepherd was born and raised just around the corner from Philadelphia International Records. Living so close to this historical soul music landmark absolutely rubbed off on this independent singer/musician. It took over a decade for the multi-talented Shepherd to ink a recording contract after winning Star Search in 1993. Though nothing materialized from his […]
Fresh
Restoration is quite commonplace in the life of a gospel music minister, no matter what his or her level of success. Just ask Tye Tribbett, who seemed to be living on top of the world as one of contemporary gospel’s innovative voices with three top-selling discs (Life, Victory Live! and Stand Out). Though he occasionally […]
Classic Delight
Saunders Sermons is in a good place. He’s an in-demand trombonist who can be heard on recordings by Jay-Z and Fantasia. Saunders toured with 50 Cent, Diddy and Maxwell. He performed live on television with Mary J. Blige. Sermons acted in live theater with Billy D. Williams. His trombone playing allowed him to work with […]
Let’s Touch The Sky (Advance Review)
After almost twenty years, a dozen studio albums and a whopping two personnel changes, Fourplay is one of the most enduring contemporary jazz outfits on the planet, combining musicians (keyboardist Bob James, drummer/composer Harvey Mason, guitarist Lee Ritenour and bassist/vocalist Nathan East) who are just as compelling as solo players as they are within a […]
Doo – Wops and Hooligans
After being responsible for a pile of hits this year, including B.o.B’s "Nothin’ on You" and Travie McCoy’s "Billionaire" as well as co-writing Cee Lo Green’s viral smash "F*** You," Bruno Mars momentarily steps away from his comfortable duties with hit-making production team The Smeezingtons to haul out his own debut album. With the influences […]
Under the Radar: The Documentary DVD (2010)
The Chairmen of the Board came out of Detroit in the early 70s with a string of major soul hits, led by General Johnson’s plaintive vocals and underrated songwriting. Songs like “Patches,” “Dangling On a String” and “Give Me Just A Little More Time” gained for the group a sizeable following among R&B fans, but […]
Authenticity (2010)
Wistful, contemplative, and darkly honest, what Authenticity loses in the humor and haunting refrains of its predecessor it gains in…well…authenticity! Leave It All Behind, one of the best albums of any generation, was always going to be a tough act for the North Carolina meets The Netherlands collective to follow. The good news is that […]
