Paula (2014)
2013 was, indisputably, The Year Of Robin Thicke: thanks to the controversial catchiness of “Blurred Lines,” the singer and songwriter transcended the R&B realm and emerged front and center at Mainstream Pop, reaching the pinnacle of his decade-plus career. We all could’ve done without “Beetlejuice” attire and subsequent bump-n-grind-action with Miley Cyrus at last summer’s MTV […]
Think Like a Man Too (2014)
Soul diva Mary J Blige may be just be the Aretha Franklin of our generation. It sounds somewhat disturbing on paper, but she’s definitely earned her stars and stripes. With honorary nicknames like Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and Empress of Soul already perched to her biography, the 43 year-old Bronx singer has probably been the […]
Gospel Praise Duets: Many Voices, One Message (2014)
No matter how much one loves a particular genre of music, it’s nearly impossible to want to listen to a particular style ad nauseum without switching it up. Part of the beauty of it all is having options, and that’s the appeal gospel music lovers will gravitate to when encountering Gospel Praise Duets: Many Voices, One Message. A […]
Bridges (2014)
In the beginning, and in the end, life is all about relationships. No matter who you are, what you do for a living or where you come from, if you’re unable to maintain meaningful ties with other people (familial, platonic, romantic or otherwise), practically anything else you’ve accomplished gets the side-eye or becomes suspect…..if […]
The Awakening (2014)
Daniel Crawford makes a red pill reference early in his latest CD, The Awakening. A person can’t talk about the red pill without being in part a pop culture reference to the 1999 film “The Matrix.” The red pill, as fans of “The Matrix” know is the one that allowed Neo to see the world […]
Out of the Centre (2014)
If the party and play music of the UK jazz funk collective, Afro Elements, sounds familiar it’s because on their sophomore project, Out of the Centre, many of its six core members, four featured guest members, and untold visiting associates have all been touring and/or session musicians for some of the most well known names […]
The Hip Hop Professional 2.0: A Woman’s Guide to Climbing The Ladder Of Success In The Entertainment Business
“All About The Benjamins.” “Cash Rules Everything Around Me.” “The Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told.” Income and intellect are important, of course, but there’s much more to longevity in the entertainment industry than flexing the skills and stacking the chips. In fact, according to entrepreneur and longtime Music & Marketing Executive […]
In the Lonely Hour (2014)
It’s a testament to Sam Smith’s talent, as well as his haunting and emotive vocals that the video currently going viral features him singing a song that is not on his very good album, In The Lonely Hour. Smith covers Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know,” and he comes as close to owning a Whitney […]
Living My Dream (2014)
Ever since boyhood, Jonathan Butler was able to use his gifts of song, composition and instrumentation to communicate the messages of his soul and to soothe those around him. Life in Cape Town, South Africa wasn’t always idyllic, thanks to the oppressive chokehold of apartheid, but despite the obstacles that society presented, Mr. Butler […]
From E to U, Vol. 1 (2014)
“Sounds like Karaoke.” That was the three word description I received last month from a music industry friend who heard an advance copy of Eric Benet’s new Japan-only release, From E to U, Vol. 1. I can’t get away with a review that short, but I don’t think anything I say will be more illuminating. […]
