Portrait (2013)
There is something strange about Josephine’s voice, strangely beautiful, but strange nonetheless. Like nothing you’ve ever heard before, it’s as if Grace Jones and Edith Piaf had an African child together and she spent her days reading Joyce and Proust. Contemplative and clear with a distinctive trill serving as vibrato, there is something knowing and […]
The Yes Feeling (2013)
The answer is definitely “yes” to these fourteen tracks of feel good. From the deep funk of “Dear John” to the classic hip hop soul of “Be Your Baby,” Honey LaRochelle is out to win. Fresh off her 2011 debut, Clean Lust and Dirty Laundry, LaRochelle puts a firm stiletto in the dreaded sophomore curse. […]
Leap of Faith (2013)
The phrase “leading from behind” could have been created with Jean Paul “Bluey” Maunick in mind. Bluey is the leader of the band Incognito, an outfit that he founded in 1979. Yet, many music fans are likely to associate the band with one of many vocalists that Bluey has deployed as lead singers, such as […]
Yours Forever (Reissue) (2013)
During the early 1980s, before it was fashionable to be smooth rather than funky, White Plains, New York-based Atlantic Starr was churning out breezy soul gems like “Circles,” “Send for Me,” and “When Love Calls.” Guided by the Lewis family of Wayne (keyboards), David (guitar), and Jonathan (trombone)—along with the authoritative vocal presence of Sharon […]
The Beat (2013)
Consistency is a quality that Boney James knows a lot about. The Grammy-nominated saxophonist has been melding influences of soul into a smooth-jazz soundscape for the past 20 years. In the process, he’s scored top-ten albums on both the R&B and contemporary jazz charts. A combination of mellow instrumentals and lively, vocal-infused tunes (with guest […]
Tropicality (2013)
Some folks don’t have the good fortune to discover and develop their natural giftsat an early age, but that never seemed to be a problem for saxophonist and composer Elan Trotman. A Barbados native who took music lessons from the age of seven, his skills were guided under the tutelage of esteemed local sax man, Arturo […]
Catching the Redd Eye (2013)
Comparing Toni Redd’s sound to the late Phyllis Hyman is a compliment that soon morphs into an annoyance. Virtually any female vocalist would consider it the highest praise to be compared to the Phyllis Hyman. However, all artists yearn to be considered on their own terms. Redd likely knows that wish is easy to verbalize […]
United Tenors: Hammond, Hollister, Roberson, Wilson (2013)
United Tenors is song over song one of the best albums you’ll hear this year, particularly of the Urban Gospel/Christian Contemporary set. So, it’s a curious thing for an album to be one of the best heard of the year thus far and still somehow be a wee bit of a disappointment too, at least […]
The Experience (2013)
When it comes to getting theirs as an independent artist today, those serious about their craft already know: one must perfect their art while simultaneously ear hustling in any avenue possible. Waiting for that niece with an internship at Big Baller Records to persuade the boss to catch your performance is a long shot at best […]
Say Yes (2013)
Having performed as a member of the soul group The Montclairs in the early and mid-1970s and later as part of the duo Perry and Sanlin, Phil Perry was known quantity to hard-core soul and R&B fans by the time he released his solo debut album Heart Of The Man in 1991. His experience in […]
