Joonie | Acoustic Soul
By Terrill Hanna
There’s something smooth about the new offering from a kid from around the way – Mr. Calvin “Joonie” Gary Jr. The cat reveals a touching side of soul music for his debut release, “Acoustic Love” and by all means, has grabbed my ab-soul-ute attention.
Album Review: Sandra St. Victor | Sinner Child ‘at my spheres’ (EP) (produced by Mark de Clive-Lowe) By Randy Mahon We all know Sandra St.Victor from her lead singing duties in the pioneering Soul/Funk band, “The Family Stand”, her stellar solo recordings throughout the Nineties, and her having wrote/performed or …
Leela James | My Soul
By Peggy Oliver
All the roads in Leela James’ brief but remarkable career have led to her new deal with Stax Records. In hindsight, this move to the resurrected version of the company who brought us Otis Redding and The Staple Singers amongst a cast of hundreds seems perfectly orchestrated.
L’Renee | Europe non-stop.non-pop
(pronounced el-ren-nay)
By Marv D.
As Founder and CEO of L’Renee Musique Inc, you have to wonder where does she find the time to record five cd’s and produce an artist on her own label. Her fan base, mostly women, have grown to a staggering 100k plus and still growing. L’Renee, who is very active in the community, has been a spokesperson for several causes.
On this 2nd Atlantic Records release, “Another Round”, 5th studio disc overall, New Brunswick, New Jersey’s own Jaheim Hoagland, simply known as “Jaheim”, is STILL laying down those silky and smooth Teddy Pendergrass (R.I.P.) vocal inspired sounds. Following 2007’s successful Gold certified,”The Makings Of A Man”, as the case of …
Keke Wyatt | Who Knew?
By Peggy Oliver
Advance Review | Coming Feb 23rd, 2010
Remember that back-in-the-day treasure by Jerry Butler, “Only the Strong Survive?”? Keke Wyatt is one of those survivors in the music business who has kept her vocal chops soulfully fresh. During her childhood, Wyatt was the ‘ish’ in her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. By age ten, she already experienced her first professional gig for a regionally recorded gospel compilation. Shortly afterwards, she connected with a respected producer – Steve ‘Stone’ Huff (The Isley Brothers) – who took Wyatt under his wing. Under his tutelage, she quickly learned the highs and the hardships of the music business.
Maysa | A Woman In Love The beautiful & talented Maysa burst onto the scene in 1992 as a featured singer in Incognito on their critically acclaimed album,”Tribes, Vibes + Scribes”. Since that time she’s released a series of critically acclaimed solo recordings. On this her 3rd Shananchie Records release, …
Ife | Crescendo
By George Strand
In listening to Ife’s new 5 Track EP called “Crescendo”, there was more to the music than what met the ear. Of course, the productions carried various streams of Neo-Soul compositions, with help from DJ Dodge. Some carried ‘on the waterfront’ – quiet stormin’ lyrics & grooves. However, her impressive VOICE sent a reminder of other R&B starlets that came to mind, whose vocals sounded quite the same in similarity. Not to underscore her absolute talent on the mic, but in comparison, this is what it drew…
Angie Stone | Unexpected
by Peggy Oliver
Remember the artist Angie B? That was the moniker for Angie Stone during her days as part of the Sugar Hill Records trio The Sequence, who along with Ladies Fresh opened the female rap game for the Salt ‘n Peppa’s and Queen Latifah’s of the world. But from the ‘who would have known’ department; who could have imagined the rapper Angie B transforming into a sophisticated songstress named Stone breathing new life into hip-hop a decade later?
On N’Dambi’s “Pink Elephant” CD, her first for the newly reactivated Stax Records and fourth solo disc overall, she stretches the boundaries of R&B with her funky, soulful, gut bucky, sensual, yet smooth vocals. Produced by legendary producer/musician Leon Sylvers, III. This 12 song setlist are comprised of songs that …