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Fantasia | Sketchbook


 
Fantasia | Sketchbook
 
Album review by Brent Faulkner
 
Releasing her first independent album, Grammy-winning, gospel-infused, contemporary soul singer Fantasia doesn’t miss a beat on her sixth studio album, Sketchbook.
 
“You see I’ve waited all my life for this moment to arrive / And finally, I believe.” Ah, those were the moving lyrics that Fantasia Barrino sung on “I Believe,” the future Billboard Hot 100 number one single that would win her the third season of American Idol.

Stern and Lorber Find Equal Footing at Level Eleven


 
Mike Stern – Jeff Lorber Fusion
Eleven
(Concord)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
On paper, the pairing of stalwart New York guitarist Mike Stern (veteran of the Miles Davis, Steps Ahead and Blood Sweat & Tears bands – to name just three) with studio slick Oregon-native/West Coast transplant keyboardist Jeff Lorber seems like oil and vinegar- highly unlikely to mix.

Raphael Saadiq | Jimmy Lee


 
Raphael Saadiq | Jimmy Lee
 
Following an eight-year hiatus between albums, the legendary R&B musician, Raphael Saadiq, drops an album for the ages with Jimmy Lee
 
Raphael Saadiq is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most notable musicians when it comes to R&B music. His style of R&B often incorporates elements of the past, embracing retro and neo-soul sub-styles, while also exhibiting freshness and progressiveness.

Poncho Sanchez | Trane’s Delight


 
Latin jazz veteran Poncho Sanchez returns to the studio after a 7 year absence with Trane’s Delight, a hearty thank you to his hero, jazz pioneer John Coltrane
 
The love affair was launched when he was only 11 years – staring intently at John Coltrane’s self-titled 1962 album. After he saved some money to make that monumental purchase, Poncho Sanchez gathered his drums and congas and played along with the album that guided his musical spirit.

Jéssica Pina | Essência


 
An already established international jazz talent, trumpeter/songwriter/vocalist Jéssica Pina is now being introduced to North America with Essência
 
Amongst the countless independent musicians that are waiting in the wings, it is refreshing for new blood in offering their special artistry to the contemporary jazz landscape. Portuguese trumpeter Jéssica Pina, born of African descent, blends her roots with various urban flavors from U.K. soul/jazz, R&B and funk.

Legends The Mighty O’Jays Bow Out with Soulful Sense of Purpose


 
The O’Jays
The Last Word
(S-Curve)
 
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Rare is the occasion in Black music when we see a group schedule The End of its recording and performing days. It takes copious vision, fortitude, good fortune and common sense to arrive at such a point. Eddie Levert and Walter Williams, star lead singers of The O’Jays since they debuted as The Mascots in 1958, have set that marker with a farewell tour in progress and a final 9-song album, definitively titled…The Last Word.

Kirk Franklin | LONG LIVE LOVE


 
Kirk Franklin | LONG LIVE LOVE
Fo Yo Soul / RCA
by Peggy Oliver
 
Kirk Franklin boldly proclaims Long Live Love, his first solo CD in four years
 
Kirk Franklin certainly knows the pulse of the gospel industry for over two decades. As one of the architects that have defined contemporary gospel’s current direction, the producer/musician/songwriter clearly zones in to what many listeners are seeking for in music that moves scripturally and inspirationally.

Powerful Jazz Film “Bolden” Paints a Greater Socio-Political Story

Bolden Film Plants Seed of Real-Life Jazz Creator’s Mythology and Harvests a Stark Reflection of the Dark Side of America’s Soul
by A. Scott Galloway
 
Jazz music is America’s greatest homegrown art contribution to the world. Like anything that comes out of this country, its inventor paid a dear price for having just enough so-called freedom to create it. Jazz’s creator is a cornet player out of New Orleans named Buddy Bolden. A new film by first time director Dan Pritzker entitled “Bolden” places the fiery musician front and center in what is not so much a biopic – since very little is known about the man – but a plunge into Reconstruction America of the 1890s time period in which he taught Gospel music to dance amidst the bitter realities of post-slavery America.
 

Amazing Grace: Aretha Brings The Mountaintop Down to South Central L.A.


 
Amazing Grace is Aretha Franklin’s Regally Rousing Cinematic Hallelujah
 
A Film Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
There’s something powerfully unique about seeing footage of music you’ve only been able to listen to for decades. The first example that comes to mind is the black and white video of Les McCann & Eddie Harris’ 1969 set at the Montreux Jazz Festival that, for years, was only heard as their Atlantic Records album Swiss Movement.

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