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Marcus Miller | Afrodeezia

Marcus Miller - Afrodeezia
 
Marcus Miller
Afrodeezia
(Blue Note)
Album Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Africa has been a river running through the music of Marcus Miller since he began his sojourn into the art form – as literally as from “Maputo” (his composition made famous by Bob James and David Sanborn) and “Gorée” (his mediation on the portal through which Africans were shipped as property to other lands far away, from his previous CD Renaissance) to the figuratively emphatic manner in which he percussively speaks his soul through the electric bass.

Charlie Wilson | Forever Charlie

Charlie Wilson - Forever Charlie
 
Charlie Wilson | Forever Charlie (RCA)
by Brent Faulkner
 
Some veteran artists eschew the spotlight past their career’s prime, while others embrace it, continuing to share, preserve, and flex their artistry. For Charlie Wilson, he is the latter, remaining active in his early sixties after a brilliant musical career as the front man of The Gap Band. The 00s have been extremely kind to Wilson, as he has issued six solo albums, with his last five notably sporting his first name in their title.

Jazmine Sullivan | Reality Show

Jazmine Sullivan - Reality Show
 
Jazmine Sullivan | Reality Show (RCA)
by Brent Faulkner
 
Prior to the release of her third album Reality Show, it had been nearly five years since Philly R&B artist Jazmine Sullivan had released a new studio album. It seemed after another critical home-run in sophomore album Love Me Back that Sullivan simply disappeared from the face of the earth. Gone were the commanding pipes of one of contemporary R&B’s most impressive new voices.

D’Angelo and The Vanguard | Black Messiah

D'angelo - Black Messiah
 
D’Angelo and The Vanguard | Black Messiah
By Peggy Oliver
 
It’s been awhile – maybe a little longer than awhile. Alright, how about summing up D’Angelo’s fifteen-year return to the recording fold by quoting from L.L. Cool J’s larger than life rap classic, “Don’t call it a comeback.” Yet, despite a fourteen years recording absence since D’Angelo waxed Voodoo in 2000, do not mistake the fact that his career path falls more into the sabbatical mode, as he took a break for five years between the aforementioned sessions of his major commercial successes, his 1995 introduction, Brown Sugar (including the smash title track and “Lady”) and Voodoo (“Feel Like Makin’ Love” and “Untitled (How Does It Feel)”).

Dionne Warwick | Feels So Good

Dionne Warwick - Feels so good
 
Dionne Warwick | Feels So Good (Bright Music Records)
by Brent Faulkner
 
Once a musician has become a music icon and has veteran music status, that respective musician’s legacy has been cemented forever. For Dionne Warwick, her stature as a preeminent pop/soul icon has long been secured and her latest album Feels So Good does little to alter that.

Manhattan’s Cafe Noctambulo is New Hot Spot for Jazz Vocal Loving Night Owls

Jazz Great Andy Bey Kicked Off First Season for New Nostalgically Intimate Manhattan Performance Space Café Noctambulo
 
by A. Scott Galloway
 
The atmosphere is quaint and hushed as revered jazz vocal veteran Andy Bey slides in behind the ivories to premier music from his brand new CD, Pages From an Imaginary Life. In a space as cozy as a living room, the master is comfortable enough to speak candidly about his music by way of introducing songs – sometimes reflecting, other times joking. Amid his loving tributes to Billie Holiday which he rendered floating from his warm natural baritone to his high plaintive falsetto, Bey penetrates deepest with his more recent original compositions that offer keen insight into his mind’s inner workings at that more important life juncture – today. Songs like “Bad Luck May Be Good Luck,” “Worried Life Blues” and “Humor Keeps Us Alive.” These are songs so new that even though Andy wrote them, he stumbles occasionally in performing them perfectly. What master would ever allow this to happen in front of an audience in a New York City nightspot? It is only because of THIS particular nightspot that Andy feels free enough to “try” things as opposed to sticking to his tried and true.
 
AndyBeyAtCafeNoctambulo PhotobyJamesGavin
(Photo: James Gavin)

Maysa | A Very Maysa Christmas

Maysa - A Very Maysa Christmas
 
Maysa | A Very Maysa Christmas
Shanachie
by Brent Faulkner
 
An adjective that best describes Baltimore singer/songwriter Maysa (Leak) is versatility. Incredibly gifted possessing nothing short of a beautiful, angelic-sounding instrument, Maysa is a magnificent musician. A mix of soul, jazz, and R&B, Maysa offers a “little bit of this and a little bit of that.” Classically trained sporting a classical performance degree from Morgan State University, Maysa is definitely the real-deal.

Kandace Springs | EP

Kandace Springs
 
Kandace Springs | Kandace Springs EP
Blue Note Records
by Brent Faulkner
 
From the first time the listener hears the music of Kandace Springs, there’s something immediately special. The singer/songwriter has given us a glowing first impression upon a numerous people, including Prince. If that isn’t enough to awe itself, Spring’s EP Kandace Springs EP should definitely do the trick and provide the ear with something truly alluring.

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