During the 2009 audition by The BGP (AKA The Brandon Ghorley Project) for America’s Got Talent, the group’s energetic pop with soulful flourishes immediately impressed the judges, leading one to declare that lead vocalist Ghorley was a star. However, the AGT journey for this trio was cut short before the quarter final stages. It was a tough pill for a band that has paid years worth of dues in a city that is not exactly recognized as a major urban music Mecca . This Seattle based band may not be considered a soul/R&B act in the purest sense, yet The BGP’s slant on the sweet suburban soul that brought Daryl Hall & John Oates and Steely Dan to the Top Forty forefront provides a pleasant alternative to the more dominating angst rock sounds from fellow Seattleites Modest Mouse.
The BGP’s second full-length disc, Love and Rent, presents their distinct hodgepodge of organic pop with occasional rock hooks and several dashes of urban grooves for good measure. "On My Hill" boasts a semi-acoustic arrangement that has the possibilities of fitting in on rhythmic R&B radio. Ghorley’s unleashes his soulful vocal swagger, capped with a stunning falsetto, recalling the seventies funk era on songs like "One of Those Things" and "Songs for The Working Man." "Saw a Blue Jay" bridges those swinging pop and soul grooves reminiscent of Hall & Oates’ "Maneater" and Stevie Wonder’s "Part Time Lover." But Love and Rent‘s crème-de-la-crème belongs to "Name," an intense ballad with plenty of meaty substance like those delivered by male R&B vocal bands (Jodeci, Dru Hill) throughout the nineties.
Overall, The BGP is onto something with Love and Rent; thanks to an immensely attractive package of sophisticated pop and soul. Regardless of the outcome on a reality show like America’s Got Talent, The BGP’s zeal as musicians has already established them as the real musical deal.
Music: 3.5 stars
Vocals: 3.5 stars
Lyrics: 3.0 stars
Production: 3.0 stars
SoulTracks Call: Highly Recommended
By Peggy Oliver
