Amy Winehouse | Lioness: Hidden Treasures
by Brent Faulkner
When British soul singer Amy Winehouse passed away in July 2011 at age
27, the world lost a talented musician way too soon. While many
predicted Winehouse’s battle with demons would be her ultimate and
perhaps untimely demise, the world was saddened that such a distinct,
passionate, and soulful voice was gone so soon.
Mary J. Blige | My Life II…The Journey Continues (Act I)
by Brent Faulkner
Any artist, regardless of genre, would be hard pressed to follow-up one
of their most pivotal releases with a worthwhile sequel. On My Life
II… The Journey Continues (Act I), that is what R&B standout Mary
J. Blige attempts to do. The result is a pleasant effort, but an effort
that never eclipses the original My Life, nor does it eclipse Blige’s
modern masterpiece, The Breakthrough. Despite this and some humdrum,
less distinct moments, there is enough solid material to make My Life II
an enjoyable, though not necessarily the most important or vital effort
in Blige’s rich discography.
Carl Thomas | Conquer
By Stella Titus-Ayala
Carl Thomas and his long awaited and anticipated New Album “CONQUER” hits you with smooth contemporary R&B tracks like “THE NIGHT IS YOURS” and many more to come. This track just goes to show you that in his absence he was going deeper within his talent and musical vault before resurfacing with hot new sounds for the project.
Keith Sweat | A Christmas of Love (2007)
By George Strand
(Published Dec. 10th, 2009)
The Holiday Season. Beckoned with warmth, seasonal temperature changes & gift wrapping paper scattered all over the tables & floors. Lets not forget about the many spices & candles, the outdoor home light fixtures & a traditional choice of the decorated Christmas Tree. Along with visiting family not seen in recent years & so forth. That’s if you celebrate Christmas that way. Many do. Many don’t.
Maysa | Motions of Love
Shanachie Entertainment
By Peggy Oliver
Mentored by an urban music icon and raised by a U.K. jazz soul band, Maysa Leak has breathed sweet life into many songs from the vaults of soul, R&B and jazz catalogs and conveyed many personal tales of love found, lost and found. And though there are still more achievements to conquer, such as developing a stage play about jazz legend Sarah Vaughn, Maysa
has etched amazing musical memories, primarily with Stevie (Wonder) and Incognito.
Keith Sweat | Til The Morning
By Susan Mutharia
Keith Sweat is done ‘riding solo’ and is back with an album that his fans deserve. It was hard to forgive Sweat for a couple of songs in his last album (Riding Solo, 2010). However, after listening to his new album Til The Morning, I am ready to kiss and make up.
Johnny Gill | Still Winning
by Brent Faulkner
After fifteen long years, R&B veteran Johnny Gill releases only his sixth solo release, Still Winning. Gill’s last high profile appearance of note was back in 2006 in Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion in which he performed “You For Me (The Wedding Song).” That song, though not a ‘hit’ per say, showed that Gill still had the ‘pipes’ that made him such a popular force in R&B. Still Winning, despite honing in on Gill’s incredible vocal talents, never quite does the R&B singer
the justice it should.
The Revelations feat. Tre Williams | Concrete Blues
By Peggy Oliver
Tre Williams was one of the most coveted voices in the millennium hip-hop nation collaborating with Wu-Tang Clan, Petey Pablo, and Nas, as well as the focal point for a mix tape on Nas’ Ill Will Records: Street Gospel: The Old Test of Men. Though Williams kept company in the hip-hop field for a few years, he eventually pursued an avenue to express his voice on a solo level. Fueled by his biggest inspirations Otis Redding, Johnnie Taylor and others, Williams has been preaching his own southern fried message since he formed The Revelations, with the assistance of producer Bob Perry.
Joe | The Good, The Bad, The Sexy
By Stella Titus-Ayala
JOE…., um, um, UMM! “The Good, The Bad, The Sexy” album is another reason why JOE isn’t going nowhere anytime soon. The first track “Losing” reminds me of my own silly emotions of the relationship highs and lows but a strong message from the male perspective with yet another softer touch that even us women can feel. Made me feel like I was listening to a new school Lenny Williams. I wanted to reach out and touch a man!
Tasha Taylor | Taylormade
by Marv D.
The stunning debut from Tasha Taylor with her latest effort “Taylormade” is soulful and refreshing. Where in a world of auto tune and other fabricated sound products, sheer talent has emerged.
Tasha, who is the youngest daughter of legendary Icon Johnny Taylor, showcases the talent that runs throughout her entire family.