Only Love
Underground Seattle singer Toni Hill may have escaped the radar of 2009’s up-and-coming vocal talents, but that doesn’t mean she’s not deserving of such a honor. Only Love, her debut indie effort, is a stand-alone appetizer that simmers with the possibilities of a breakthrough artist. It’s hard not to associate Toni Hill’s brand of neo-soul […]
The Art of Love
As a child, KG was introduced to classical, jazz and soul music by her parents. That gift of music turned out to be KG’s best friend that carried her through the joys and pains of her childhood. From a classically trained pianist by age five to a finalist in South African Idol at age sixteen, […]
Hustlers, Killers and Thieves
A lot of artists grew up admiring the music of James Brown. I imagine that if you’re a musician from Augusta , Ga. that the Godfather of Soul is the standard bearer. Some artists might run from that legacy, but as the album Hustlers, Killers and Thieves proves, Greg Hester embraces it. What else can […]
Here In the Moment (2009)
It’s easy for listeners to forget, but a jazz vocalist ignores this basic fact at his or her own peril: the voice is an instrument. A whole lot of contemporary singers don’t realize that they are band members. Those singers want to be the center of attention. Their vocal acrobatics limit the creativity of their […]
The Lost Files (2009)
Two songs on Where I Wanna Be, Donell Jones’ second album, tell the listener a great deal about the Chicago based singer’s career. With it’s street-wise swagger, hip-hop influenced beats and catchy hook, "You Know What’s Up," is a song that set the path for the future of R&B music when it dropped in late […]
Early (2009)
Georgia Anne Muldrow once told MV Remix magazine: "Creativity all depends on how I feel." After listening to Early, I would say Muldrow was born to be a free creative spirit. The twenty-two year old singer/songwriter/musician never spares her feelings, no matter what she sings about. Muldrow’s mix of free jazz, hip-hop, soul and stimulating […]
Mosaic (2009)
These days, people often go to concerts hoping to hear live music that sounds the way it does on the record. That would be a big mission not accomplished for me. I want the 180-degree opposite of that. I want bands to give me a jam session that features crazy improvisation, mind merging interplay between […]
Hits (2009)
If people were asked to name a list of contemporary male soul singers, it is unlikely that the British singer Seal would make the cut. Folks often think of his most popular songs, such as "Kiss From a Rose" (which was featured in one of the Batman sequels) and cast him primarily as a pop […]
Fire Storm (2009)
Trumpeter Tyrone "Ty G." Griffin is one of those artists who have seemingly worked with everybody over a 30 plus year career in professional music. He served in the studio as an engineer with people like Freddie Hubbard and Joni Mitchell. He was a trumpeter and background singer for the Brothers Johnson before hooking up […]
Untitled (2009)
The self-proclaimed "R" in R&B formally had a spiritual connection with Marvin Gaye. Ironically, even Gaye, the R&B superstar blessed with a wealth of talent, also wrestled with his share of demons – fought back and forth with the paranormal and earthly realms. After his star luster shriveled following an exhaustive court trial and child […]
