UnderCover: Live from New York
A power belter and full-figured Ford model touted by Time and Newsweek as the next big thing, Maiysha was rightly celebrated in 2008. Unfortunately, the hype didn’t have the ground support to sustain the boast and the artistically strong soul/rock hybrid album, This Much Is True, fizzled with limited commercial impact. Recognizing crucial career steps […]
M.P.3
The dearth of bands in the mainstream R&B world has left the field open to talented instrumentalists like Mike Phillips. On top of that, instrumentalists are increasingly reluctant to operate under the limits imposed on them by the smooth jazz description. That label can be especially restrictive for contemporary jazz saxophonists such as Phillips. Sometimes, […]
The Soul Renaissance LP
There is the all too familiar story of up and coming artists who were about to sign their first record contract only to have the deal fall apart at the seams. Singer/songwriter J. Hollins traveled down that frustrating path in 1998 while recording a project as part of the vocal group Laid Back. He eventually […]
The Paradise Groove
After satisfying crowds with a soothing mix of jazzy funk and new age disco on their debut, Groovy, the Swedish dance outfit Glam Sam and His Combo returns with another nifty offering for the überbossa nova dance crowd on The Paradise Groove. Mostly instrumental tracks using the grit of a jam session, Paradise Groove focuses […]
Another Apple (2010)
What do you get when you combine traditional, Americanized blues and soul edged with modern flavor and interpreted through some of Sweden’s most accomplished vocalists and musicians? If you don’t know, now you know, because that’s what you get an earful of when you encounter Another Apple. A bold and brassy collection of songs and […]
Chamber Music Society
I first heard of Esperanza Spalding when I was reviewing Fourplay’s 2008 Energy album. Spalding provided the vocal for a song called "Prelude For Lovers." I liked the song and loved her voice, so I Googled her, went to her Web page and saw a picture of this striking woman with a big afro standing […]
Countryfied
Myron Walden is a jazz saxophonist, but listeners will hear other musical influences on Countryfied, his latest CD. The blues, rock and soul can be heard both in Walden’s saxophone playing and in the playing of his sidemen. Walden’s uncle introduced him to jazz by playing Charlie Parker records when Walden was a boy. Later, […]
Love and Rent
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 […]
‘Justments (2010 Reissue)
Still Bill, Just As I Am, and Live at Carnegie Hall are appropriately considered the watershed moments in troubadour Bill Withers’ esteemed career, giving him most of his #1 Billboard pop and R&B hits. Still, later gems like Menagerie and the re-mastered deluxe edition re-issue of ‘Justments have been undeservedly ignored at the expense of […]
Dunya
For over a century, National Geographic has enjoyed immense success promoting the world of science and world history. More than just an iconic magazine, the now multi-media company continues to educate and entertain audiences through TV, film and their music mogul – Nat Geo Music, whose roster includes French-born Bibi Tanga. The musician/songwriter lived in […]
