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Soul Music, Page 15

Maysa | Motions of Love

Maysa - Motions of Love
 
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.

Johnny Gill | Still Winning

Johnny Gill - Still Winning
 
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

The Revelations - Concrete Blues
 
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

Joe - The Good The Bad The Sexy
 
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

Tasha Taylor - Taylormade
 
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.

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.

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