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March 2013

Bluey | Leap of Faith

Bluey - Leap of Faith
 
Bluey | Leap of Faith
Shanachie Records
By Brent Faulkner
 
Jazz/R&B musician Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick is best known as the
founder of London acid-jazz/funk group Incognito. A guitarist,
vocalist, producer, and composer, Bluey is additionally notable for
collaborative efforts with Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, and George Benson
among others. 2013s Leap of Faith is Bluey’s first solo album, released
via Shanachie Records. On the 10-track, 45 minute effort, Bluey composes
and produces the effort himself.

Tasha Cobbs | Grace

Tasha Cobbs - Grace
 
Tasha Cobbs | Grace
EMI Gospel
By Peggy Oliver
 
When someone declares, “you were born to sing,” sometimes those compliments would ring true or it might be a bunch of hype. Unquestionably, Tasha Cobbs was born to sing. But Cobbs was born to accomplish even bigger things than just her obvious vocal skills. That critical gift is leading the masses into the presence of God that many gospel fans and industry cohorts have gravitated to.

Brian McKnight | More Than Words

Brian McKnight - More Than Words
 
Brian McKnight | More Than Words
Entertainment One
by Brent Faulkner
 
R&B veteran Brian McKnight continues on the indie route with the
release of third Entertainment One (eOne) effort, More Than Words.
More Than Words is McKnight’s 15th studio album. Throughout the course
of the effort, McKnight continues to showcase his musical talents,
serving as the set’s executive producer, multi-instrumentalist (bass,
keyboards, guitar, etc.), songwriter, and most importantly, vocalist.

Paul Hardcastle | VII

Paul Hardcastle - VII
 
Paul Hardcastle | VII
By Peggy Oliver
 
Paul Hardcastle has unashamedly flown the banner for electronic music since 1984 while encompassing a kaleidoscope of soundscapes from hip-hop, R&B, funk and dance to numerous contemporary jazz recordings under the Jazzmasters, Kiss the Sky and under his own name. One of Hardcastle’s first endeavors was “You’re the One for Me” by underground soul man, D-Train. Pop music culture is most familiar with his early hits such as the techno-thumping, “19,” an emotional tale about the injustices of the Vietnam War.

David P. Stevens | Epiphany

David P Stevens - Epiphany
 
David P. Stevens | Epiphany
Sanctifly Music Group
by Brent Faulkner
 
Philadelphia guitarist, singer, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist David P. Stevens released his fourth independent jazz offering, Epiphany via Sanctifly Music Group March 1st, 2013. While ‘jazz’ may be the most appropriate label attached to Stevens’s music, it is not indicative of ‘the complete package’.

Bilal | A Love Surreal

Bilal : A Love Surreal.
 
Bilal | A Love Surreal
Entertainment One Music
by Brent Faulkner
 
Within 2012-2013’s soul realm, enthusiasm seems to be most concentrated
within the alternative-R&B wing, led by burgeoning, eclectic artists
including Frank Ocean, Miguel, and The Weeknd. Before the newly
incited alt-R&B movement,….eclecticism, creativity, and the ‘will to
be different’ approach already pulsated through soul darling, Bilal
Oliver. 2013’s highly anticipated A Love Surreal (released via eOne)
continues to exhibit exceptional musicianship and stylistic flexibility
Bilal has showcased from years in the game.

Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours

Kris Brownlee
 
Kris Brownlee | Sincerely Yours
Megawave Records
By George Strand
 
Widely acclaimed saxophonist Kris Brownlee sets the bar higher one more time with his new album “Sincerely Yours”. Contemporary grooves meet timeless melodies, creating a unique jazz blend that will blow you away. The album features thirteen tracks that have been described as “purely irresistible”. Perhaps the album’s stronger piece is “Halo”, the first single to come out of Kris’s new musical adventure.

Phil Perry | Say Yes

Phil Perry - Say Yes
 
Phil Perry | Say Yes
Shanachie Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
No matter how experienced, appreciated and in-demand a musician or singer occasionally the artistic drought hits them a ton of bricks. After releasing his solo album released around 9/11, Magic, Phil Perry faced that mountain. For those who may not be as familiar with Perry’s resume, he had already etched a reputation as one of the most popular background vocalists with a body of work that included Barbara Streisand, Chaka Khan, and Lee Ritenour, amongst many others.

Dessy Di Lauro | This Is Neo-Ragtime

Dessy Di Lauro - This is Neo-Ragtime
 
Dessy Di Lauro | This Is Neo-Ragtime
by Brent Faulkner
 
Montreal vocalist Dessy Di Lauro is ‘one of a kind’. Touting an impressive resumé (Patti LaBelle, The Neville Brothers, Cirque du Soleil, etc.) as well as a rich musical education, Di Lauro is nothing short of accomplished. Presenting original music described as “Feathered Fro-hawk Futuristic Art Deco-Centric Harlem Renaissance Hep Music,” Di Lauro fuses elements of ragtime, stride, and early jazz with the urban contemporary sounds of the present on 2013’s This Is Neo-Ragtime.