Soul Symphony (2005)
Okay, I know that I'm not exactly in Will Downing's prime demographic group. And at times during his recording career, I'll admit that I've felt a little too male to respond to his music. But there are other times when his music has been so uniformly strong as to win me over. Fortunately, Soul Symphony, […]
V3 (2007)
While the uninformed have described V3 as “A Christian Destiny’s Child,” that moniker does neither the Vinson sisters (LaToya, Sacha and Shelley) nor their auspicious debut album justice. Working with a handful of producers, including up-and-comer Antonio Neal, V3’s self-titled EMI Records debut comes off as an extremely infectious, melodic disc, with both solid dance […]
If Only (2007)
Some things are truly missed if you don't have them for a while. You realize how you take them for granted like, times to hang with your boys, undisturbed. Moments of true peace and quiet when all you hear are your own thoughts. Romantic evenings with the one you love, alone, in the mood, and […]
So Amazing (2005)
It is nothing short of a crime that talented UK singer Ruby Turner continues to be largely unknown in the US. She scored a number one hit here in 1989 with the rhythmic dance hit “It’s Gonna Be Alright,” but the buzz on her eight albums have has generally failed to cross over to this […]
This is Me
Detroit born singer/songwriter Trei now makes her home in Atlanta, but she was inspired by the Motown girl groups of the 60s. Her debut album This Is Me shows her to be a pleasant vocalist with a nice midrange, though with less confidence in her falsetto. The real surprise is the quality of her compositions. […]
Sum Blues
Linda Taylor (from ABC's Who's Line Is It Anyway? comedy improv show) presents her band Threshold with her debut CD "Sum Blues." This veteran band features Linda Taylor (guitar), Laval Belle (drummer – Earth, Wind & Fire), Del Atkins (bassist – Alicia Keys, Mary J Blige), Mikal Majeed (organist – Rick Zunigar), Ed Roth (keyboardist […]
Oceans (2006)
2006 has been full of surprises from the "old school," with the first two months bringing new albums by the Whispers and the Persuaders. And now, happily, out of nowhere comes the first new album in well over a decade by 80s star Junior. And it's a gem. Beginning with the uber-infectious "Friends," Oceans runs […]
Latter Rain
After nearly two quiet decades, it's great to hear Margie Joseph singing again, even if it is just a tasting like Latter Rain, Joseph's first recording on her own Sistahpraise Records. A seven song combination of traditional Gospel tunes and new compositions by Joseph and Susan Tapper, Latter Rain is a solid reintroduction to this […]
Coming Home (2006)
For the first time in many years folks are talking about Lionel Richie for reasons other than what is daughter Nicole is doing. The big factor is “I Call It Love,” his first legitimate hit in years and one of the most infectious songs of Summer 2006. Written by the team that penned Ne-Yo’s […]
Grime, Silk and Thunder (2007)
Remember when a good dance hit came a dime a dozen? Or, when the top ten R & B and Pop music charts paralleled the dance charts? It seems dance music does not carry the same punch it carried in the late eighties through mid nineties. Not to say that quality dance music does not […]
