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Neo-Soul, Page 8

Syleena Johnson | Chapter 5: Underrated

Syleena Johnson - Chapter 5 Underrated
 
Syleena Johnson | Chapter 5: Underrated
By Peggy Oliver
 
If there were ever a singer/songwriter who could write a book on telling it like it is, one Syleena Johnson has perfected this craft to the nines. Performing in classical, gospel and jazz choirs throughout college, Johnson was actually studying to be a psychology major. She eventually ended up graduating with a major in Music. Yet she might as well have utilized what she soaked in from her psychology classes. Never accused of being shy when it comes to laying her feelings on the table, Johnson is well qualified to sing about her frustration of abusive relationships and surviving other bumpy roads of life.

GiGi Allen | I Need You (2 A.M. Music)

GiGi Allen - I Need You 2 AM Music
 
GiGi Allen | I Need You (2 A.M. Music)
By Stella Titus-Ayala
 
As her 48-second intro dropped and set the mood, Ms. GiGi Allen magically changed my immediate surroundings from writing a review in a coffee house in Los Angeles to hanging late night in an R&B club somewhere in the heart of New York City. “Dangerous,” the tantalizing first cut from her debut album I Need You, made me want to move in all the right directions. “Lay Here” is a sensual collaboration with guest vocals by Brandon Johnson… a sexy duet worthy of praise.

Rahsaan Patterson | Bleuphoria

Rahsaan Patterson - bleuphoria
 
Rahsaan Patterson | Bleuphoria
(Artistry)
by Susan Mutharia
 
I closed my eyes while listening to the song Mountain Top. I allowed Rahsaan Patterson and an enchanted Tata Vega to take me through an imaginary safari. I was elated and stimulated, chanting, “I sing all day from the mountain top / I love always from the mountain top / Nothing can stop me from singing from the mountain top.” After listening to the entire album, I could relate to the euphoric state of Bleuphoria – so far one of the best work by singer/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson.

Tracy Cruz | Universoul Symphony

Tracy Cruz - Universoul Symphony
 
Tracy Cruz | Universoul Symphony
by Brent Faulkner 
Tracy Cruz, an up-and-coming neo-soul singer, can definitely be identified as a ‘talent deserving wider recognition.’ On her sophomore effort Universoul Symphony (notice the clever play on words), Cruz asserts her dynamic alto with great conviction and ravenous grit. Throughout this superb set of thirteen cuts, Cruz sounds sultry, confident, and classic, never losing sight of the ‘soul.’ In an age where the neo-soul movement is not currently the ‘in’ trend, Cruz certainly gives compelling argument for its resurgence.

Julie Dexter | New Again

Julie Dexter - New Again art cover
 
Julie Dexter | New Again
by Brent Faulkner
 
Julie Dexter, a British independent soul/jazz artist, recently released her fourth LP, 2011’s New Again. As a vocalist, Julie Dexter is a ‘smooth operator,’ borrowing some cues from the past, namely from jazz vocalists and R&B vocalists; Sade’s cool sound comes to mind when making comparisons and descriptions of Dexter’s approach. Throughout, Julie Dexter’s voice is smooth, pure, and refined, never losing any of it’s sugary, sensual goodness.

Kelly Price | Kelly

Kelly Price - Kelly
 
Kelly Price | Kelly
by Brent Faulkner
 
It is not unusual for artists who are namely R&B/soul artists to venture into the world of gospel. Oft times, the ‘change of pace’ is only for a season, with the occasional gospel release interspersed between R&B releases. Al Green and Aretha Franklin, both of whom have released gospel albums, for example, returned to their R&B ‘stomping ground.’

Noel Gourdin | Fresh: The Definition

Noel Gourdin - Fresh The Definition
 
Noel Gourdin | Fresh: The Definition
by Brent Faulkner
 
2008’s debut effort After My Time was a solid first showing for R&B talent Noel Gourdin, but failed to make Gourdin a commercially successful artist. That said, the Epic debut was an album that was critically sound and characterized Gourdin as a new R&B artist who talents harkened back to “the old days.” With the exceptional single “The River,” Noel Gourdin established he was an anti-establishment R&B artist who wished to preserve the ‘glory days’ of soul and chivalry, something so much R&B music today fails to highlight.

Dionne | Living in the Music (EP)

Dionne - Living In The Music
 
Dionne | Living in the Music (EP)
By Peggy Oliver
 
I must give kudos to 111 East Music for doing their homework in finding vocal jewels like Dionne, a singer/songwriter who paints plenty of vivid pictures with her music. The Texas born, now Washington, DC based neo-soul/jazz stylist simply loves to inspire those who want to live life to the fullest. Every time she blazes the stage, one seems to gravitate towards her sincere, energetic personality who takes the inspirations of India.Arie and Anita Baker right along with her.

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