Lizz Wright | Fellowship
By Peggy Oliver
Growing up in a strict, conservative household, Lizz Wright found several opportunities to stimulate her creativity. Without a television in the house, she listened to radio dramas in learning the art of storytelling. Though she sang traditional gospel as a child, Wright was more attracted to the contemporary side with artists like The Winans and Commissioned who sprinkled their gospel messages with R&B, soul and jazz.
John Legend & The Roots | Wake Up!
By Susan Mutharia
The year 2008 saw the resurrection of faith and hope in America. On that year, many saw themselves not only as citizens of a country but citizens of the world. People started joining together and saying, “Yes we surely can.” Others went a step further and asked, “What can I do and where do I start?” R&B singer John Legend answered that question by uniting with the great hip-hop group, The Roots.
The Best of Gerald Levert
By Brent Faulkner
The unfortunate and untimely death of R&B icon Gerald LeVert in 2006 was a sad day for me and the many fans -especially women (or so I am told) – who loved LeVert’s soul-laden vocals. Sensuality oozed in every LeVert vocal performance, which could be characterized as possessing gospel histrionics and the sensual overtness of the late Marvin Gaye. On The Best of Gerald LeVert, Atlantic/Rhino Records had the arduous task of compiling a single disc covering LeVert’s best.
Fantasia | Back To Me
by Susan Mutharia
“I’m the American idol because my lips are big but, my talent is bigger.” I still remember laughing out loud when Fantasia Barrino said those words during American idol season three. Laughing is the last thing I was doing when she sang Summertime. Laughing is the last thing she was doing when she was crowned the American Idol.
Calvin Richardson | America’s Most Wanted
by Peggy Oliver
First and foremost, I must ask how can Calvin Richardson top himself after his stunning Bobby Womack tribute project from 2009? Being the so-called Soul Prince, the task should not be too difficult. And who would complain when one’s current back-up band turns out to be The Revelations coming oh-so-fresh off their 2009 contributions, Deep Soul and The Bleeding Edge, that was a meeting of blistering southern soul recalling Stax, Hi and Malaco Records and streetwise sensibility.
Alexander O’Neal | 5 Questions The New Journey
by Marv D
He’s back! Alexander O’Neal is back in a better way. His new project, “5 Questions The New Journey” is nothing short of all his others CD’s. Alex has been releasing music in Europe for the last few years to very good success, but still not in the U.S. like the good ole’ days.
Esperanza Spalding | Chamber Music Society
By Peggy Oliver
In just one decade, Esperanza Spalding has achieved so much in her musical quest and persevered even more along the way to find her own special star. Go figure that this singer/songwriter/musician who survived some challenging circumstances in her childhood would make teachers marvel, thrill audiences and teach elementary school students about the power of jazz.
Lynne Fiddmont | Lady
By Jerry “The Mouse” Clark
I could start and end my review of Lynne Fiddmont’s Lady CD with one word – “angelic” – but that will not be the case. The inspiration from Billie Holiday, Lynne’s songbird persona and an accompanying cast of gifted musicians is the recipe for this outstanding album. You may be familiar with Lynne Fiddmont and not know it. The lady has recorded and/or performed as a singer with Stevie Wonder (as a member of his band Wonderlove), Bill Withers, Patti Austin, Whitney Houston, Babyface and countless more.
Brian Culbertson | XII
By Terrill Hanna
For many of you who are well aware of the various capabilities great keyboardist Brian Culbertson is able to conduct, whether it be on a jazz tip, on a smooth jazz tip, or on the trombone tip, Mr. Culbertson’s diverse reach for soul music isn’t much of a big surprise here. In fact, we shouldn’t be too startled to hear most of the R&B connections dished up for serving from the new project, “XII“.
Incognito | Transatlantic RPM
by Peggy Oliver
Happy 30th Anniversary Incognito! Yes; thirty years of old school soul, funk, disco, hip-hop and jazz produced by the U.K. sensation that still sounds as fresh today as when they were first introduced to the world in 1980 with an album appropriately named Jazz Funk. Despite a ten-year absence after their debut, they returned to the recording studio with Inside Life and have never looked back since.