Ultimate George Duke (2007)
Mosaic Records was founded in 1983 and over the years has become one of the most respected names in jazz. The renowned boxed sets for which the label is famous often evolved into much sought after collectors items and now, with the launch of Mosaic Contemporary, that same knack of reaching back for genre framing […]
Southern Comfort (2007)
In 2003, Anthony Hamilton served as a breath of fresh air with his official debut album Comin’ From Where I’m From. Despite the overwhelming dominance of commercial hip-hop music, the public began to spread the word about this scraggly fellow with the legendary Bill Withers/Bobby Womack sound. Anthony Hamilton then took to the stage and […]
From a Kid’s Point of View (2007)
Since an 11 year old Little Stevie Wonder was signed to Motown Records and catapulted to national prominence with the slam dunk, Fingertips, labels have been on the lookout for the next Usher, New Edition, Shanice Wilson or-the gold standard-Michael Jackson. For every M.J. or N.E., however, there are just as many flashes in the […]
Ronnie Mac & Company (2007)
To look at the resume of artists with whom Ronnie McNeir has worked is like reading a who’s who in soul music: from Bobby Womack and Smokey Robinson to the Whispers and Angela Winbush. Best known for his duet with Teena Marie on the 1984 classic "We’ve Got to Stop Meeting Like This," Ronnie has, […]
Valarie Adams (2007)
Straight out of Newark, New Jersey, the same place that gave us Sarah Vaughn and Whitney Houston, comes the remarkable sound of Valarie Adams. This young lady with lemon-honey coated pipes has been compared to Patti LaBelle and Dorinda Clark-Cole, and on her self-titled project from RetroSoul Recordings, she proves why she is a Diva […]
Ultimate Kirk Whalum (2007)
Mosaic Contemporary is really onto a winner. Recognizing that nearly every important artist in contemporary jazz has recorded seminal material for more than one record company they have set about licensing the most important tracks from various labels and then arranging them into chronological compilations. In this way Mosaic are, for the first time ever, […]
Joyous Salvation (2007)
JoAnn Rosario is back with her latest CD Joyous Salvation on the Zomba Gospel Group label. This gospel Latin diva had a "defining moment" in her life when she lost total use of her vocal chords. She experienced a wonderful spiritual transformation in the past two (2) years and not only regained her voice […]
A World Within A World (2007)
Raul Midon gathered a sizeable adult audience for his mildly eclectic acoustic offerings on his excellent debut album, State of Mind, but also risked facile (and unfair) categorization as another Norah Jones chaser onto the adult contemporary charts. Fortunately, he has stretched out both stylistically and lyrically on his more upbeat, accessible sophomore disc, A World […]
Diary of a Strong Souljah (2007)
Over the past few years, Gospel music has appeared to break free of barriers with regard to style and presentation. But what is consistent is the significance of spirituality and hope that is delivered to a world filled with disillusioned souls. Today’s gospel artists do not fit a particular vocal mold: some vocals are raw and […]
Inseparable (reissue)
Natalie Cole has had the type of career and longevity that is the envy of nearly any musical artist. Cole has been making music for some 30+ years and shows no signs of slowing down. And one the most critically acclaimed debuts of the mid-seventies, the newly re-released Inseparable, proved to be the beginning of […]
