Charles Martin | Mary’s Son
Charles Martin | Mary’s Son
is an urban music hotbed; from the sweet soul of Motown to contemporary
gospel. The list of gospel pioneers is very impressive indeed
including: The Clark Sisters & Mattie Moss Clark, The Winans,
Reverend C.L. & Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Thomas
Whitfield and Deitrick Haddon. Since the mid nineties, Haddon elevated
and reshaped contemporary gospel music with his classic soul, edgy
R&B and hard hitting praise and worship thru the vocal group Voices
of Unity (VOU). Taking many cues from Haddon, VOU member Charles Martin
weaves those same elements on his debut, Mary’s Son. Though he has spent more time in a background vocalist capacity (VOU, Radical for Christ) and in theatrical productions (Black Nativity), Martin won the hearts of audiences in solo appearances on Bobby Jones Gospel
TV show. His warm voice, certainly the antithesis of Haddon’s gritty
and charismatic style, holds his own for the most part by nicely
textured production from Rachard ‘Chardyroc’ Williams. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Kenneth Whalum III | To Those Who Believe
Kenneth Whalum III | To Those Who Believe
by Brent Faulkner
Reinvigorating the ‘art’ that IS jazz is a tall, if nearly impossible order for the modern jazz recording artist. With the shoes of ‘untouchable’ legends to fill (Parker, Coltrane, Davis, etc.), it is not that often that the jazz enthusiast discovers a ‘new jazz album’ that truly ‘whets his appetite‘ or better yet serves as a ‘pipeline‘ to the future of jazz. With the recent release of the exceptionally well crafted To Those Who Believe, the future of jazz is clearly BRIGHT.
Paula Prophet | From Me To You
Album Review: Paula Prophet – From Me To You
By George Strand
(Scheduled to be released, January 11th, 2011)
Pacific Coast Recording artist Paula Prophet is no stranger to the jazz vocal program. Encompassing a selective mix of jazz standards, a swirl of R&B delicacies and a shake of that popcorn pop music sound, and well after 20 years stimulating listeners with her deep soul enticing voice, Ms. Prophet keeps her passion for singing alive and well in “From Me To You.”
Tank | Now or Never
Tank | Now or Never
By Brent Faulkner
Tank (Durrell Babbs) is one of R&B’s premiere talents, but is an
incredibly underrated vocalist. Tank has garnered most of his attention
given his songwriting contributions to other artists (Usher, Fantasia,
etc.). That said, Tank garnered his most notable buzz as a solo artist
with his 2007 effort, Sex, Love & Pain, which featured the
critically acclaimed hit “Please Don’t Go,” easily Tank’s biggest hit to
date. 2010’s follow-up effort Now or Never is solid, though does not
have a “Please Don’t Go” to aid in its promotion (Sex, Love & Pain
was nominated for multiple Grammys and bowed at #2 with 102,000). Now
or Never does keep ‘a good thing going’ with Tank’s continuation of
performing a more ‘refined’ breed of R&B with thoughtful, sensual
songwriting. The biggest quibble about the Grammy-nominated singer’s
new effort is the same as what might be said of his last – it has
tendencies to be boring and sag at given moments. Sure, most
performances are more than nuanced-enough to propel the effort forward,
but additionally, there are moments that are less enthralling. For the
most part, Now or Never proves solid. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Ray Charles | Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters
Ray Charles | Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters (Concord)
By Brian Soergel
Imagine being John Burk, the producer who sifted through hundreds of unreleased masters from the legendary Ray Charles in search of a few that would make a cohesive album. Burk’s labor of love is realized with the 10-song Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters. It’s no surprise that Burk – EVP for Concord – helmed this release. It’s the third posthumous release of Charles’ music for Concord, following Ray Sings Basie Swing and the Grammy Award-wining Genius Loves Company, the latter Charles’ final studio CD and a certified multi-platinum instant classic that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart. Burk co-produced that CD with Phil Ramone. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Frank McComb | A New Beginning
Frank McComb | A New Beginning
By Brent Faulkner
Music artist Frank McComb cannot be clearly pigeonholed into a single
genre; instead, he is best described as an ‘urban’ artist, which is an
‘open-ended categorization.’ McComb, both a versatile vocalist and a
keyboardist, blends the best of smooth jazz, R&B/soul, and gospel
music. The structure of his music tends to possess the harmonic scheme
of smooth jazz, the sensualness of R&B, and the grit and unfurled
emotion and passion of gospel music. On his new effort, A New
Beginning, Frank McComb delivers one ‘knockout punch’ after another, at
times rivaling none other than the master of crossover, Stevie Wonder. A
New Beginning contains no misses, even when there are better cuts than
others, making for quite an enthralling, ‘better than expected’ listen.
Jazz and soul lovers alike will ‘dig’ A New Beginning.
To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Lillo Thomas | Come And Get It
Album Review: Lillo Thomas | Come And Get It by Randy Mahon Brooklyn, NY native Lillo Thomas returns after a 23 year absence with a poignant and soulful project, “Come And Get It”. Released independently on the Fitingo Records imprint, this 13 track CD picks up where Lillo left off …
Various Artists | In The Christmas Groove
Album Review: Various Artists | In The Christmas Groove
By Brent Faulkner
Most people, regardless if they are professional musicians, amateurs or
merely music lovers, LIVE for the holiday season because they get to
‘break out’ their Christmas (holiday) albums. Regardless of religious
preference or the vast array of ways the holidays can be celebrated
(whether it be Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or otherwise), music is a
unique and unifying part of the tradition. There is nothing better than a
great Christmas compilation albums to hype up the holiday season even
more. In The Christmas Groove is just that; it’s a compilation album
that collects classic soul, funk, and blues holiday tracks from the
past. The album is a captivating idea and an even more captivating
listen as it is composed of originals and gems, many unheard before.
Sure, thirteen tracks of similar styles has it sagging moments given the
‘sameness,’ but for the most part, In The Christmas Groove is the
epitomization of great music from the past. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Izzi Dunn | Cries & Smiles
Album review: Izzi Dunn | Cries and Smiles
By Brent Faulkner
A relatively unknown British songstress (at least in the U.S), Izzi
Dunn, also a multi-instrumentalist, delivers a solid sophomore album,
entitled Cries and Smiles. Dunn’s first effort, The Big Picture, bowed a
staggering seven years back from the September release date of ‘Cries’,
making Cries and Smiles both an introduction and reintroduction of the
singer. Dunn proves to be an impressive vocalist, channeling the
finesse of jazz and the sheer emotion of soul ‘all-in-one.’ It is nice
to see the British soul movement gaining more momentum as of late, given
hiatuses from its most prominent artists. Dunn outdoes herself o’er
and o’er again throughout this effort, making this brief ten song set
well conceived. To continue, Please click “MORE”!
Michael Jackson | Michael
Album Review: Michael Jackson – Michael
By Peggy Oliver
a year and a half has gone since the King of Pop left this world barely
at over a half-century of age. Shortly after his death, most fans and
faithful movie goers naturally flocked to Jackson’s This Is It,
which concentrated on the selection and rehearsal process for what was
to be billed as his giant final farewell tour. I observed the film
myself and witnessed the perfectionist personality at work making sure
every note, dance step and staging earned Michael’s stamp of approval.
Then there was the immediate increase of his back catalog sales (roughly
35 million units sold) that followed his passing. That said I now turn
to the posthumous project, Michael, certainly
lacking endorsements by Jackson’s family and numerous professional
colleagues from will.i.am to Quincy Jones. And there were the
countless controversies swirling around such as if the voice belonged to
Michael’s voice, or if his voice was altered; and how much control
belonged to Michael (who is credited as co-producer on almost all
tracks). Considering what has been written by the media and relayed by
industry insiders covering several internet site blocks, I simply choose
to focus on most of the final contents (ten tracks in all), beginning
with the current single, “Hold My Hand.” To continue, Please click “MORE”!