Kaylah Marin | Loving Life

This promising debut CD “Loving Life”(Epiphany Productions), from Bay Area native Kaylah Marin, is a nice collection of good old fashioned Soul with the flair of thoughtful and introspective lyrics. Produced by hit making producer, Narada Michael Walden, (Whitney Houston “How Will I Know”, Mariah Carey “I Don’t Wanna Cry” and Aretha Franklin “Freeway of Love”),along with contributions from Night Ranger’s guitarist Jeff Watson and Joey P. (engineer for Ludacris). Kaylah singing style will, at times, make one think of Stephanie Mills, Oleta Adams and Tina Turner. The live instrumentation throughout the entire CD is certainly a welcome to this writer’s ears and hopefully to yours.

Opening track “Tell Me Why” has a soulful shuffle feel. The on time and “on the one” drumming of Narada, a searing guitar solo Jeff Watson, coupled with the lead/backgrounds of Kaylah made this a joy to listen.

“Baby Please (Make Love To Me On The Floor)” features another artist in her own right, onetime Motown recording artist, Nikita Germaine, and Sakai Smith, on background vocals. The intro will conjure up thoughts of Tina Turner’s rendition of the Al Green classic, “Let’s Stay Together”.This uptempo feel good rocker, with it’s Organ lines, percussive beats,and all around anthemic choruses, will have you a festive mood. Kaylah’s vocals throughout are very intense and high powered, though she’ll bring it down at times to an easy & soothing tone.

Title track “Loving Life”, with it’s 70’s soul mode ala ’60’s Stax and Motown magic features live horns courtesy of session heavyweight Jim Horn on sax and trumpeter Marvin McFadden. It’s a hand swayer, mid tempo toe tapper. Kaylah’s vocals are crystal clear and precise. Her emotion filled chops take you back to a time when the female voice took control of the song, and this is a fine example of that as she sings with such conviction.

“Everybody”with it’s slight harder edge feel, features the rock guitar of Jim Reitzel and sax of former Yellowjackets member, Marc Russo. Kaylah performs this track with energy of Whitney Houston’s “Queen Of The Night”, direct and “in your face !”

Tender sweet ballad “Angel” finds Kaylah in a laid back and mellow setting. Piano come courtesy of Narada’s longtime keyboardist/collaborator, Frank Martin. Light and airy at first, it slowly builds up to climatic point where Kaylah’s voice soars like an eagle then come down to soothing tone.

“Green Caddie”, inspired by Kaylah’s late uncle who drove a green Cadillac, is a funky,mid tempo track. Soul personified here! Kaylah’s tight vocals, fantastic backgrounds courtesy of Nikita Germaine and Sakai Smith will sure to have you moving! Light guitar licks, funky drumming, and the vocal controlled voice of Kaylah makes this a party anthem !

“Good And Bad”. An acoustic guitar, percussion filled track finds Kaylah sounding at times like Stephanie Mills. A song that deals with the shortcomings of an individual, but still tries to make sense of it all. Another mid  tempo, easy flowing track.

“Time & Time Again” – The most commercial sounding track of the CD. Very upbeat, fun! Kaylah’s vocals is in fine form here ! Fast tempo’d track, groovy Clavinet, disco laden percussion, and infectious sounding synths! Definitely geared towards the dance pundits.

“Driving In My Car” is a song that’s taylor made for road dogs ! Inspiring lyrics of freedom & liberation! An up tempo, piano ladened song! Kaylah’s vocals are in fine form, perky and inspirational. A nice rocking guitar solo courtesy of Jim Reitzel.

“You And Me”. A tune I feel geared towards the Chi-Town Steppers. It has that groove that’ll work in that particular setting. Kaylah’s growling diva like vocal performance will sure to stir up a party. Positive lyrics of wanting to make a love last throughout the up & downs of a relationship.

“Revolution” I’m thinking Bay Area’s own Tower Of Power” … at least that’s what the horn parts sound like. Very fast paced, funky clavinet parts, happening bass lines, solid background vocal parts. A Soul II Soul Jazzie B. like rap thrown in there makes this track more tempting.

Closing song “Will I Be Loved”,has a reggae, Brazillian feel to it. Samba grooves over a chugging bassline, percussion, carnival sounding horn parts, magnificent background vocals sung by Desiree Goyette and Sandy Griffith. A nice parting to a lovely disc of great original songs and not-over-the-top production.Well worth checking out.

Randy Mahon
The Urban Music Scene