Soul Unsigned:EP001 (2008)
"It all started because of a breakfast cereal packet." So says label founder Phil Driver in regard to his new idea of collectively promoting artists that either have no formal recording contract or operate out of a small independent label. This, his very first venture, bonds together groups from the US and UK and as a […]
Beautiful Soul (2007)
This release has been on the scene since last year, slowly gaining support from those who respect good music. In this her second album, Midwesterner Ms Layne refuses to be stereotyped, and the resultant mix of styles from neo soul through jazz to slow funk and even house is a superb example of an artist who has learned her craft […]
Masterpiece (2007)
J Phoenix, a multi-talented artist and ASCAP award-winning songwriter in several genres, has now released the 13-track CD "Masterpiece." It is a blend of ballads and musical styles from neo-soul to R&B to jazz to soul. Phoenix has a smooth, sexy Eric Benet vibrato and a Jill Scott vibe, and writes lyrics of life, love, […]
Vivian (2005)
By any measurement Vivian Green has the whole package. A songwriter and singer since she was an early teen, at age 25 Green has the voice, the songwriting skills and the looks to be a major star. However, she has yet to apply her considerable talents into a uniformly satisfactory package. A Philadelphia native, Green […]
All My Love (2008)
It becomes clearer every day that independent soul music has come of age. The time of the poorly produced CD that sounds like two guys in their garage playing on a Casio keyboard is long gone. Affordable recording and packaging techniques, new internet-based distribution methods, and an active community of talented musicians working together on a barter basis […]
Stax Does The Beatles (2007)
Last year it seemed another bi-annual cycle of Beatlemania had beset us with melodies turned commercial jingles and nostalgia rich with the faded scents of social revolution. One could convincingly argue that every two years since their 1970 swansong, Let It Be, has been one long Beatlemania revival. But, 2007 turned out to be arguably […]
Sex, Love & Philosophy (2007)
Soul ID calls their music "Afropean Soul." Like Barack Obama, the American politician the music embodies, it is a startling concept. It rings benign enough when spoken and yet for so many in America the root idea conjures ancient miscegenation fears, particularly when the African in the Afro-pean soul aesthetic is so expressly leading the […]
In and Out of Love (2008)
The stakes are high because everyone has been expecting a stellar debut from Cheri Dennis, the reigning princess of Bad Boy Records. She’s been signed to the label since 2001. Her labelmates, Cassie and Janelle Monae (Bad Boy’s most recent signee hailing from Atlanta) seem to have promising futures. Cheri, though, has the biggest hill […]
God Complex (2007)
Sometimes a deeply committed musician finds ways to stay inspired no matter what the hot trends, while remaining true to their craft and sometimes venturing outside their musical box. In a recent internet radio interview, singer/songwriter/musician Sebastian Dior explained that creativity is an extension of that individual who takes risks along the way. The Gospel/R&B […]
E-Life (2008)
Before Mint Condition released their comeback album, 2005’s Livin’ the Luxury Brown, many fans wondered had they heard the last from the R&B band representing Minneapolis. Not only did Luxury live up to fan’s expectations but it also hit #1 on Billboard’s Independent Album Charts. Not bad for a band that, at the turn of […]
