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R&B Music, Page 17

Mayer Hawthorne | How Do You Do

Mayer Hawthorne - How do you do
 
Mayer Hawthorne | How Do You Do
by Brent Faulkner
 
Mayer Hawthorne is one artist in a slim field or R&B artists embracing the vibe and sensibilities of soul music’s glory days. The artist, who has dabbled in hip-hop as well, definitely does not look the part of the soul-revivalist that he is. Thankfully, looks are highly deceiving as hipster Hawthorne possesses one of the most soulful voices of a new generation of singers. An underrated talent deserving wider recognition, Hawthorne’s second LP How Do You Do (and debut on major label Universal Republic) is a superb effort with no outright misses.

Lalah Hathaway | Where It All Begins

Lalah Hathway - Where It All Begins II
 
Lalah Hathaway | Where It All Begins
By Peggy Oliver
 
Lalah Hathaway is one of the most entrusted vocalists the music industry has ever known. While many will always recognize Hathaway as the daughter of one of soul music’s classic stylists, Donny Hathaway, she has etched her own voice by successfully capturing her father’s essence with her warm alto. Her dynamics of layering jazz sensibility with pop, R&B, soul and gospel is quite impeccable; giving urban music a sometimes needed fresh injection that started with her self-titled release in 1990.

Gordon Chambers | Sincere

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Gordon Chambers | Sincere
By Peggy Oliver
 
Sometimes there are hidden gems among those songwriting geniuses whose labor of love has crafted hits for urban music icons. Stars like Anita Baker, Whitney Houston and The Isley Brothers are more than acquainted with Gordon Chambers, whose heartfelt and on-point lyrics have graced the charts for many years. Just an ever so small taste of his songwriting credits include the Grammy winning “I Apologize,” by Ms. Baker, Whitney’s “My Love,” The Isley’s “Just Came Here to Chill” plus the smash hit “If You Love Me” by Brownstone.

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.

Lenny Kravitz | Black and White America

lenny-kravitz-black-and-white-america
 
Lenny Kravitz | Black and White America
by Brent Faulkner
 
With his ninth studio effort Black and White America, soulful, psychedelic rock-veteran Lenny Kravitz delivers his best studio effort in years. The full range of influences are in effect on this superb effort, which finds Kravitz channeling his idol Prince and perhaps most surprisingly Marvin Gaye (“Liquid Jesus”).

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.

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