Brandy | B7
by Brent Faulkner
There is only one Brandy Norwood, period. The Grammy-winning, mononymous R&B singer, who started in the game as a teen, possesses an expressive, timeless voice that’s truly distinct from everybody else.
K-Ci Hailey
“Jesus Saves”
(P Music Group)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Once upon a time in North Carolina, a young boy named Cedric cracked open his mouth and let out a holler for The Lord that instantly carved out the path of his destiny…as another of the fabled church singers who would go on to set the world of Soul Music on sanctified fire before tragedy ensued and sent him back home to church a changed man.
Paulette McWilliams
A Woman’s Story
(BluJazz)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Singer Paulette McWilliams has proven herself an invaluable presence in Soul and Jazz beginning in the `70s as the original lead singer of Rufus, preceding Chaka Khan. She then came to Los Angeles at the personal request of Quincy Jones to be officially “introduced” on his LP, Mellow Madness, after which she released her debut album, Never Been Here Before.
Singer/Songwriter/Minister and Choirmaster Ricky Dillard along with New G re-lights the gospel choir flame with their latest CD for Motown Gospel
As one of contemporary gospel’s ambassadors, Ricky Dillard is a firm cheerleader for choir voices and how they continue to bless the masses in praise and worship. Born in one of gospel’s famed cities, Chicago, Illinois, the singer/songwriter Dillard was recently recognized by Rolling Stone and TIME as a pioneering choirmaster, a serious honor alongside respected choir directors such as Hezekiah Walker and JJ Hairston.
Kelly Rowland
“Coffee”
(KTR)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Apparently, the best part of waking up for original Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland is a piping hot combo of coffee and come hither! Rowland just dropped a steamy new video/single “Coffee,” the video for which celebrates the beauty of Black women in their all-natural glories of shade, complexion and hue, while the song capes for starting the day with a level measure of morning sex that makes you feel grrrrrreat all day until you return home for a nightcap.
Herbie Hancock Symphonically Reimagines the Possibilities of His Civil Rights Era Compositions “I Have a Dream” & “Ostinato” with Gustavo Dudamel and The Los Angeles Philharmonic
by A. Scott Galloway
On Thursday March 5th, a day I was not in the best of health, I dragged myself downtown to Disney Hall to see a Herbie Hancock concert.
Now, at 55 years old, I have had the good fortune to have seen Mr. Hancock plenty of times over the years all over southern California.
Contemporary Jazz Icon Boney James proves he is Solid once again for his upcoming CD
UPDATE MARCH 31st: Street Release Date has been updated to June 12th.
Sometimes it does not hurt to seek music that supplies good medicine to the soul when the stress levels are high. If music can play a healing role in that capacity, Boney James is fully locked no matter what he plays.
Jason Miles / Kind of New
Black Magic
(Ropeadope)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Keyboardist/producer/Sound Designer Jason Miles steps from the shadows of his collective Global Noise to revel in his penchant for soulful jazzy continental uniting grooves with his other band Kind of New, presenting Black Magic.
Will Downing
Romantique: Part 2 (EP)
(Sophisticated Soul)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Marking his awe-inspiring 22nd release since he began recording as a solo artist back in 1988, Will Downing focuses his attention on favorite songs originated by baritone vocalists such as Larry Graham and Barry White along with two original compositions to comprise his latest 6-song EP, Romantique Part 2.
Chick Corea / Christian McBride / Brian Blade
Trilogy 2
(Concord Jazz)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
At 78-years-young, pianist/composer Chick Corea has assembled, led and cultivated a number of uncannily synergistic groups – large and small, acoustic and electric – in several sub genres of music classified as “Jazz.” Among his more recent alchemies is Trilogy, the Chick Corea Trio featuring bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade.