Loveline (Reissue)
Tavares – Loveline By the time of 1981’s Loveline, the days of the great marriage between Capitol Records and the five hitmaking Tavares brothers were numbered. Ten albums was a looooong time for an act to be on the same record imprint, but the combination of the West Coast label, the New Bedford, Massachusetts siblings, and the […]
Source (2015)
Soundoctrine – Source Those who are not aware of Soundoctrine’s background can be forgiven not knowing this Ohio based outfit performs with Christ at the center and the source of all they do. I don’t know if it would be accurate to call them a Christian band – although I doubt that the members would have […]
Braxton Family Christmas
The Braxtons – Braxton Family Christmas With unpredictable sales of full-length albums over the past decade, artist holiday collections have grown more scarce. That’s why the release of a seasonal set by an act as storied and soulful as The Braxtons is a most welcome gift. Although only eight songs in length, Braxton Family Christmas […]
In All Things (2015)
Columbia Nights – In All Things There are albums that hardcore soulheads hoard to themselves and only break them out like a hand full of Aces, Jokers, and the Deuce of Spades in a Spades game. This debut full-length album by Columbia Nights is that hand. Sinewy and soft to the touch, these relaxingly melodic lines […]
Unorthodox Soul, Part 1
R’Mone Entonio – Unorthodox Soul, Part 1 He has a rich, gravelly tenor, introspective lyrics and a unique grasp of harmony and vocal arranging that places him head and shoulders above many so-called ‘singers’ already on the charts and airwaves—-to put it simply, R’mone Entonio is an independent artist with the style of a seasoned pro. He’s a […]
Love Is Everything (2015)
Power. The first thing one notices about Antonique Smith’s instrument on her debut EP, Love Is Everything, is its power. From-the-gut belting to the back of the house and the top of the rafters in ways less and less heard in popular urban music. She joins the ranks of such singers as Ledisi, Angie Fisher, […]
Christmas With Friends (with Joe Sample)
The news that a particular artist has released a Christmas CD usually elicits one of three responses: “Him/her too?”, “I guess” or “About d@mn time.” Part of what determines such a reception is the quality of the aforementioned performer, and that’s why R&B’s Acoustic Soul Siren, India.Arie, and the lauded composer and musician extraordinaire, Joe Sample, have […]
Cheers to the Fall (2015)
Raised on a musical diet of Billie Holiday and spiritual juice, San Diego native Andra Day is blossoming into her own with her freshman album, Cheers to the Fall. Released on Warner Bros., the 13-track set helmed equally by producer/songwriter Adrian Gurvitz and Raphael Saadiq puts Day squarely in the heartland of Amy Winehouse extravagance. […]
West End Coast (2015)
Young Gun Silver Fox – West End Coast Thanks to Daft Punk’s Grammy-winning magnum opus, Random Access Memories, a ‘70s golden AM radio tribute, the inspiration others have had in pulling off retro-themed works has been on an upswing. [LMG1] Justin Timberlake did it twice and D’Angelo’s comeback record followed. Andy Platts is no stranger to […]
Losing My Religion (2015)
Kirk Franklin – Losing My Religion You can understand Kirk Franklin’s rationale for naming his new album Losing My Religion by listening to an interview that he did on NPR months before he dropped the record. Host Arun Ruth interviewed Franklin in April about the work of another gospel artist who traditionalist believe created music […]
