West Coast Nightfall; Before Dusk (2013)
There is no exhilaration like the exhilaration of witnessing an artist you admire move from strength to strength. Since 2010, the hipster singer, Sid Sriram, has been delivering EP after EP of the most honest of progressive soul. His exploration hasn’t been without its eyebrow raises, such as the electronic psychedelic DayDream, but there has […]
Rebirthed Above Ground (2013)
As the front woman for the Baltimore-based band, Fertile Ground, Navasha Daya arrived early at the forefront of the independent soul and nu-jazz music scene in 1998 alongside fellow early indie pioneers N’Dambi, Jazzhole, Peven Everett, and Eric Roberson, dominating the early part of the 20th century indie soul/funk/nu-jazz scene(s). Daya and her then husband, […]
Cover Art (2013)
It has long been said by some that real jazz is dead, that the genre has been extinct since the late 1970’s, mid-80’s. As Miles blended jazz with R&B in the early 70’s, the belief by many jazz enthusists is the genre became stagnant, with less improvisation in the music and more predictability. Where exactly […]
Jungle Mumbo Jumbo (2013)
Disappointment breeds resentment. I expect there will be quite a few resentful fans of the St. Louis crooner on Coultrain’s deconstructed experiment run amok, aptly titled Jungle Mumbo Jumbo. Mumbo Jumbo is what far too much of this project is from an artist that wooed us magnificently with The Adventures of Seymour Liberty, on parts […]
Merciless (Reissue) (2013)
Throughout the 1970s, ’80s, and ’90s, Stephanie Mills established herself as a versatile powerhouse just as at home sultrily conveying a quiet-storm ballad as she was belting out gospel-rousing lines on the Broadway stage. Even now, her live shows draw captive audiences longing to hear favorites ranging from her signature number, “Home” (from Broadway’s The […]
Living the Dream (L.T.D.) (2013)
Bashiri Asad was living the life of a cover artist when he heard the words that changed the direction of his career. The Indianapolis based singer was between sets when a fan suggested that he sing original songs because listeners would take him more seriously. Asad could have ignored that advice because there’s a line […]
All the Things You Know To Be True (2013)
It must be a great luxury for an artist to be called upon to play several instruments in several genres. Robert Carvalho was a popular collaborator in his home country even while he was developing his solo career. When not touring with his band, The Xtended Family, the Birmingham, England native accompanied the R&B trio […]
John Michael (2013)
In an artist’s quest to craft music for the masses, it does not always take a village to help one shape their dreams. That is how independent singer/songwriter John Michael’s journey was specifically designed. In essence, he makes no bones that his hard work ethic and musical abilities were made possible without any mentors, though […]
Side Effects of You (2013)
Is she maddening? Misguided? Even slightly on the messy side? Sure. But what stands out the most about Fantasia Barrino is her way of channeling those raw edges and unguarded emotions into song. It’s been these undeniable qualities that have sustained her since her historic 2004 American Idol victory and won her a standing ovation when […]
Live at the Royal Albert Hall (2013)
British female soul singers have proven popular with U.S record buyers since the panda-eyed Dusty Springfield earned her R&B credentials back in the 1960s, wooing American audiences with her barbequed soul classic “Son of a Preacher Man.” Since those halcyon days, the likes of Maxine Nightingale, Lisa Stansfield and Mica Paris have all found success […]
