Dave Tolliver | Somethin Like The Greatest
Spectra Music Group
by Brent Faulkner
R&B singer Dave Tolliver is best known as the lead singer of 90s New Jack Swing R&B group Men At Large. Men At Large itself was best known for a song called “So Alone,” which was an R&B hit and relatively successful on the pop charts.
Tisha Campbell-Martin – “Steel Here”
song & video musings by A. Scott Galloway
Among the most powerful songs written are those that lay bare truths as learned from the artist and relayed so that they may be recognized and/or learned from by others. The ultimate purpose of a music video, beyond advertising and entertainment, is to further illuminate and/or artistically illustrate the meaning of a song. In the case of singer/actress/dancer Tisha Campbell-Martin’s “Steel Here,” the video colorfully peels back the layers of the lyrics to make the song more clearly understood.
Kim Burrell | A Different Place
Shanachie Records
by Brent Faulkner
Some of the best vocalists across all of music hail from gospel music. Gospel singers tend to have madd pipes that are clearly anointed by the spirit. Sure, not everyone is a believer and gospel music appeals to particular a niche, but what’s indisputable is the skill set of that the gospel musician possesses. Veteran, Grammy award-nominated gospel vocalist Kim Burrell exemplifies the prodigiously talented musician, period.
Jonathan McReynolds | Life Music: Stage Two
by Peggy Oliver
For those whose gospel music election is sure, their journeys carry them through ever changing life scenarios. When Jonathan McReynolds recorded his debut album in 2011, Life Music, he was a college student who was breaking into his own artistry zone.
Lizz Wright | Freedom and Surrender
Concord Music Group
by Peggy Oliver
When it all comes down to experiencing life, no matter what occupation we choose, seasons of transitions are almost inevitable. Musicians are especially subject to seasonal phases in their artistry, whether it’s industry business or personal revelations.
Terri Lyne Carrington | The Mosaic Project: Love and Soul
Concord Records
by Peggy Oliver
Music was at Terri Lyne Carrington’s beckoned call throughout her childhood. Her father was president of the Boston Jazz Society and her grandfather Matt Carrington presented a drum set to his grandchild at age seven. The private lessons that followed have taken her through many thrilling experiences since playing alongside trumpeter Clark Terry at eleven years old.
Michael Franks / Jazz Funk Soul (Everette Harp, Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb)
Hyatt Newporter – July 25, 2015
A Concert Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
One of Southern California’s most popular summer spots for jazz is the Hyatt Newporter hotel in big money Newport Beach. They have a Friday night jazz series every summer in a mini outdoor amphitheatre on the lawn that just gets stronger with each passing year. So far in 2015, I dipped down there once to see this all-star show which proved to be a sweet night of seasoned music.
Photo: Jeff Lorber, Chuck Loeb & Everette Harp
Kheyra | Take Flight
by Brent Faulkner
It was a sad day when the neo-soul movement died… hold up – did it ever really die? Nope! While neo-soul has faded from being a propelling force in contemporary R&B circles, those dedicated to style continue to feature it as part of their music. R&B newcomer Kheyra is one of those who’s music not only embraces contemporary R&B styles, but also keeps neo-soul alive and kicking!
Terence Blanchard and the E-Collective | Breathless
Blue Note
by Peggy Oliver
From a musician who did not take his musical chops seriously until high school, Terence Blanchard eventually fed off his surroundings of New Orleans, a city that breathes blues, Dixieland, funk and is home to The New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. N.O.C.C.A. was the breeding ground for this thinking man’s musician whose film compositions for Spike Lee and flexible musical language (Latin jazz, swing, bop) has sparked his career since his early days with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the (Donald) Harrison/Blanchard Group.
Najee | You, Me and Forever
by Peggy Oliver
From the moment he earned a Grammy nomination for his debut album inspired by his namesake almost three decades ago, Najee has claimed the market for his distinct crossover ability in sustaining jazz and R&B fans. Any other superlatives that may apply to Najee’s career can be summed up with an Energizer Bunny work mentality and a knack for oozing the soul in smooth jazz, as proven with fifteen CD’s starting with Najee’s Theme, most having reached the top five on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart.