Things On My Mind (2009)
If a sound had a recipe, this is how you would create J. Tait’s: dashes of Detroit grit added to old-school soul with pinches of Dwele and Raheem DeVaughn throughout. If this EP, Things On My Mind, is any hint of the future menu, then this singer/songwriter (he wrote or co-wrote all but one track) […]
I’m Yours (2009)
Storytelling is often a neglected art in modern R&B. Singers still tell stories in their songs. However, the songs that seem to get the most recognition seem to the ones describing the singer’s sexual prowess. The singer Taurus Soul displays a skill as a modern soul storyteller on I’m Yours, a set of 14 songs […]
This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things (2009)
The album title is brilliant, organic and spicy. And, it matches the murky, bluesy soul of Jersey ‘s Stephanie White & the Philth Harmonic (yes, it’s pronounced "filth."). Her brand of soul draws easy Amy Winehouse comparisons and carries hints of Corrine Bailey Rae and Joss Stone. The sound is a bright, eclectic blend of […]
Local Boys (2009)
Between their individual and collective schedules, The Motor City Horns have traveled all across the country playing just about every genre imaginable. Detroit-based musicians John Rutherford, Mark Byerly, Keith Kaminski and Bob Jensen each bring their unique strengths as sidemen and their remarkable knack for arranging horn parts at the drop of a dime. Those […]
Mr. Houston (2009)
Now entering the pandemic world of Autotune, Marques Houston still charms his way through "I Love Her;" the breezy R&B single from his fourth solo project Mr. Houston. "Body" scores extra kudos for its slick bedroom magic and Isley-like guitar swoons. They play with Jamie Foxx’s "Blame It" to create the synth-dominated " Express Lane […]
See You Tonight (2009)
Donald Sheffey sets his goals high. He is on a mission to do nothing less than to redirect contemporary popular music. And on Sheffey’s new recording See You Tonight, he does display the kind the passionate, muscular and mature vocals that first turned me on to soul music. Sheffey’s vocal qualities are best displayed on See […]
Trainathought (2009)
Subliminal seems to be a popular rap moniker these days. In order to distinguish one from the other, Ya’akov Shimoni is a rapper from Israel, while Sean Mauricette is from Toronto, Canada, and calls himself "aka Subliminal." With the preamble set aside, aka Subliminal raps, beat boxes, jokes and lays down blue prints. Before you snatch […]
The Bridge (2009)
In this hyperbolic music industry, you sometimes forget that hype can sometimes predict the real thing. On Melanie Fiona’s inspiring debut one certainly gets reminded. The soul starlet from Canada delivers a top of the line debut album of old school R&B and big ballad soul pop with a lively contemporary twist. There are tinges […]
Access Granted (2009)
The beginning for The Anointed Pace Sisters’ career is similar to that of many singing gospel families, regardless of fame. Their father encouraged them to sing – first around the house and then before congregations. The main difference between most singing church families and The Anointed Pace Sisters is that the latter took the next […]
The Beauty Created (2009)
Its embarrassingly odd for us to have one of the best releases of 2009 go unacknowledged on our site, but somehow we managed to pull this neglect off (we’re that busy, I swear!). Worthily nominated as this year’s SoulTracks Readers’ Choice Award’s Best New Artist, Jesse Boykins III’s first full-length project, The Beauty Created, is […]
