Criss Starr | Yours 4 Ever

Criss Starr | Yours 4 Ever by Terrill Hanna

Sometimes, all it takes is a few tracks on a EP to highlight a particular gift in music an artist has for themselves to offer is enough. In some cases, this formula is good enough. For others, it requires some more work in the studio to put out 10-12 tracks. For another set, 12-20 tracks. Some compositions with none to little minutes, the other half, minimum 3 minutes & more are needed. But it depends.

I think it depends on what they have to offer to a particular genre of music. And in the case of Criss Starr, his 5 track EP entitled, “Yours 4 Ever” may have crossed the mark of approval.

Released April 29th, of ’09, Criss sat out to add the word ‘Groove’ to Jazz with enough music on this EP to give you a slight idea on what Mr. Starr can do whenever called upon to make this style of production. And for a very few artists of his caliber, its quite easy.

Track Listing:
~ Yours 4 Ever
~ Too Much Heaven
~ Ribbon In The Sky
~ Break It Down
~ Yours 4 Ever (Extended Mix)

For example, the covers of “Yours 4 Ever”, “Too Much Heaven (Bee Gees)” & the very well interpreted “Ribbon In The Sky (Stevie Wonder)” may be just that – Covers. But the guy made a difference in the re-creation of them. With his own unique blend of exceptional vocals, an array of instrumental flavors only Criss painted himself & another angle or feel for re-introducing these classic gems through collaborating R&B into Jazz will make many of you ask for more where it all came from. And I do mean placing that trademarked “*” next to “Ribbon In The Sky”, where it has been sitting on Live365 smooth jazz chart for weeks sometime ago…

Nevertheless, “Break It Down” kept a nice short hypno-driven, electro pulsed groove in check, followed by an extended mix of “Yours 4 Ever”.

Now, really, the EP was nice, but Criss should go back in the studio & drop some more tracks like these & more originals while he is at it. The purpose of this review is to let the world know of another gifted musician & vocalist out there who should be encouraged to keep his game going for the jazz spectrum. I expect to hear more from Mr. Starr soon.

Terrill Hanna
The Urban Music Scene

Website: Criss Starr