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Soul Music, Page 13

Syleena Johnson | Acoustic Soul Sessions

Syleena Johnson - Soul Sessions I
 
Syleena Johnson | Acoustic Soul Sessions
By Peggy Oliver
 
Syleena Johnson must have graduated from the school of hard knocks. Her closest fans certainly know the path to survival she has endured industry wise. After a debut independent release in 1999, Johnson signed to a major label. Those first three Chapters from Jive Records earned some respectable hits even though the daughter of blues legend Syl Johnson never cracked the top forty compared to R&B peers including Beyonce and Faith (Evans).

Mint Condition | Music @ The Speed Of Life

Mint Condition - Music @ The Speed of Life
 
Mint Condition
Music @ the Speed of Life
(Shanachie Ent.)
By Peggy Oliver
 
Longevity is a rare commodity in the world of show business, especially for the sake of musical ensembles. Many bands remain for a long time but their personnel moves are a constant for whatever the reason. Thankfully there are high quality bands who are able to maintain their core members; persevering through the long course of recording, touring and other media commitments. Mint Condition has weathered this relentless course since its inception, losing only keyboard player Keri Lewis in 2005.

Pete Belasco | Lights On

Pete Belasco - Lights On
 
Pete Belasco
Lights On
(Eaak Music)
By Brent Faulkner
 
On Pete Belasco’s third studio album Lights On, which arrives seven years after his last, the singer/songwriter/keyboardist/saxophonist covers smooth jazz, R&B, and soul styles. According to his bio (www.petebelasco.com), Belasco’s music career began as a pianist, though he eventually focused on the saxophone, playing in various bands during high school and studying it in college.

Leela James | Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James

Leela James - Loving You More
 
Leela James
Loving You More…In the Spirit of Etta James
(Shanachie)
By Peggy Oliver
 
When a potential artist navigates the journey to professional music glory, their friends and family probably told them at one point that they were born to be a star. Then there are others who hint that the aspiring talent reminds them of a specific music superstar. As Leela James was preparing to aim her sights towards greater musical heights, she already had an advantage over some of her counterparts. Her rich, blues-enriched voice drew comparisons since childhood to Etta James, an influential vocalist who garnered a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award and an induction to the Rock and Roll of Fame in 1993.

Teri Tobin | So Good To Me

Teri Tobin - So Good To Me
 
Teri Tobin
So Good to Me
(Sol to Kep Ent.)
By Peggy Oliver
 
Despite one’s musical training throughout childhood and college, one earmark of a credible artist is digging into their lifelong experiences and translating those special stories to effectively communicate with their audiences. Those persistent and driven talents refuse to be weighed down by musical trends or record sales in dictating their artistry and achievements. This certainly works in favor of independent artists who are simply doing it for the love of their craft.

Various Artists | Sweet Soul Select Artists, World Soul Collective, Vol. 1

Various Artists
Sweet Soul Select Artists, World Soul Collective, Vol. 1
(Sweet Soul Records)


Album Review by Brent Faulkner

2012‘s World Soul Collective, Vol. 1 is a compilation of international soul artists.  Released on Japanese soul label Sweet Soul Records, the compilation’s purpose is ‘…to promote soul music in Japan in all its forms.’ The philosophy of Sweet Soul Records states that it considers soul to transcend all race. Consider their motto: ‘soul over the race.’ World Soul Collective, Vol. 1 features a diverse group of soul artists ranging from retro-soul, neo-soul, jazz-soul and hip-hop soul, among other sub-genres. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Paulette McWilliams Concert Review – Catalina Bar & Grill | June 27th, 2012

Paulette McWilliams Re-emerges Vivacious As Ever With Hollywood Jazz Set
Concert Review by A. Scott Galloway
 
Since being formally “introduced” to the world as a guest on Quincy Jones’ R&B-era Lp Mellow Madness in 1975 and later working prominently as a background singer on records and on the road with the late, great Luther Vandross, Ms. Paulette McWilliams is often lazily categorized as a soul singer…though a mighty good one. Truth be told, jazz is her root music – with a lot of class and sass. All were in colorful abundance during a rare one night/one set show in Hollywood last Wednesday (June 27, 2012) at Catalina Bar & Grill where the lady slid in to showcase music from her long-awaited first American album in four decades, Telling Stories (not counting the 2007 Japanese import-only, Flow).
 
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(Photo: Malcolm Ali)

Eric Benét | The One

Eric Benet - The One
 
Eric Benét
The One
(Warner Bros.)
by Brent Faulknerer
 
Eric Benét’s sixth studio album The One picks up where 2010’s Lost in Time left off – with Eric continuing to play into his role of soul-revivalist and soul-preserver. The One is filled with and characterized by lush productions comprised of strings, horns, swirling electric piano, organ and harmonized vocals. That said, The One does not bring anything ‘new’ to the table that one hasn’t heard form Benét. It does, however, add another sound effort to Benét’s underrated musical output. Face it – that falsetto is ‘killer.’

K’Jon | Moving On

K'Jon - Moving On
 
K’Jon | Moving On
Up & Up Records
By Peggy Oliver
 
It is fair to say that extreme talent and intense perseverance have not always expedited opening music industry doors. Many well-deserving vocalists and musicians strive to find their niche before they strike a chord with an audience and land their first major radio exposure. Singer/songwriter K’Jon’s story is like many who dream to touch others with their music. Since he was eight years old, K’Jon figured that music was his way of life.

SWV | I Missed Us

SWV - I Missed Us II
 
SWV | I Missed Us
(Mass Appeal/eOne Music)
By Brent Faulkner
 
SWV (Sisters With Voices) was a popular 1990‘s female R&B trio comprised of Tamara “Taj” George, Cheryl “Coko” Clemons and Leann “Lelee” Lyons. SWV return with 2012’s I Missed Us, their fourth studio effort and first new album in fifteen years since 1997’s Release Some Tension (excluding 1999’s A Special Christmas). Remarkably, middle age has done nothing to curtail the trio’s magical voices.

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