Favourite Worry (2015)
The Milk – Favourite Worry There is a virtual assembly line of retro soul funk bands with music coming from across the seas inspired by the golden age of ‘60s soul. In truth, a site like ours filters through at least three such bands every month during our pre-screening process with very few ultimately getting a […]
Live in Concert (2015)
Vocalists revisit songs from the past for major reasons: They either hope to use the oldies as a means of drawing the of attention and garnering sales from music fans who are in a sentimental mood, or the singer has a deep and abiding connection to or love of a certain era or artist. Truth […]
The Letter (2015)
Lemar’s raspy, lustrous tenor has always been able to astonish and excite. Talent the man has well in-hand. However, the hazel-eyed UK troubadour’s music? Well…that has largely depended on the project. The multiple Brit and MOBO Award-winner who first came to prominence 13 years ago during his third place win on the UK talent show, […]
Life Music: Stage Two (2015)
If it has been left up to a teenaged Jonathan McReynolds, the world may never have heard the soaring and buttery tenor featured on 2012’s Life Music and the recently released Life Music: Stage Two. The Chicago native and emerging star on the gospel music scene grew up in church where he first played the […]
Dream (2015)
Angie Stone – Dream It’s probably an understatement to say that Angie Stone has experienced a tumultuous year. The transitions were both personal and professional, from leaving R&B Divas to a broken engagement and yes, the infamous altercation with her adult daughter that generated headline news. Recovering after setbacks like those seem insurmountable to some, but when you’ve […]
Free (2015)
Jonathan Butler – Free Jonathan Butler has reached the stage in his life where his greatest mission is to give back to others. The South African born gospel, R&B and jazz musician achieves that mission through his Jonathan Butler Foundation. The foundation offers music and therapy programs, specifically crafted by clinicians and educators for the organization, […]
The Great I Am (2015)
Those who listen to an audio recording often experience what I call “you had to be there” moments. A you had to be there moment happens when the listener realized that only a visual and the connection that comes with sharing this experience while in the company of other members of the human family will […]
LIVE (2015)
Among soul music aficionados, the placement of the name “Hathaway” with the word “Live” automatically inspires heart palpitations, dizzy spells, and copious hosannas. Some of the best live soul music recordings ever made are those associated with Donny Hathaway. Soul capsules that capture a time and place with such immediacy, you’re instantly transported to […]
Pride (2015)
Tahirah Memory’s debut album Pride reveals the Portland native as an artist firmly and unapologetically rooted in the intersection between the church and jazz-infused R&B. Her instrumental arrangements are deeply soulful with frequent and unabashed nods to ’70s era vinyl soul and acoustic jazz – both genres that the singer/songwriter likely heard while growing up […]
Keep Pushing (2015)
An album as complete as Keep Pushing from Incognito frontman Tony Momrelle both exhilarates and frustrates. Exhilarates because it checks off every box a soul aficionado has with regard to what qualifies as a great album. Great melodies with memorable hooks? Check. Well-executed, soulful singing that you believe to be sincere? Double Check. Polished production, […]
