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Soul Music, Page 16

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.

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.

Julie Dexter | New Again

Julie Dexter - New Again art cover
 
Julie Dexter | New Again
by Brent Faulkner
 
Julie Dexter, a British independent soul/jazz artist, recently released her fourth LP, 2011’s New Again. As a vocalist, Julie Dexter is a ‘smooth operator,’ borrowing some cues from the past, namely from jazz vocalists and R&B vocalists; Sade’s cool sound comes to mind when making comparisons and descriptions of Dexter’s approach. Throughout, Julie Dexter’s voice is smooth, pure, and refined, never losing any of it’s sugary, sensual goodness.

Malika Zarra | Berber Taxi

Malika Zarra - Berber Taxi
 
Album Review: Malika Zarra – Berber Taxi
By Peggy Oliver
 
Most have heard the old saying life imitating art. Yet maybe art imitating life would best apply to singer/songwriter Malika Zarra. Zarra was practically a sponge from the time she was singing and dancing as a little girl in her home country of Morocco. Even after she moved with her family to France at three years old, music would always rule Zarra’s mind and soul. Thanks to a wealth of music at her fingertips, her influences were extremely eclectic; from classic Moroccan pop (Haja Hamdaouia) to classic Arabic pop (Warda Al-Jazairia).

Keke Wyatt | Unbelievable!

KekeWyatt_Unbelievable
 
Keke Wyatt | Unbelievable!
Shanchie Entertainment
 
By Peggy Oliver
 
It seems Keke Wyatt is finally making up for lost time. Since being first introduced to the public in 2001 with Soul Sista, personal matters and record label issues consumed Wyatt’s path towards more radio exposure for radio and notoriety as a solo recording artist.

Aretha Franklin | A Woman Falling Out Of Love

Aretha Franklin - A Woman Falling Out Of Love
 
Aretha Franklin
A Woman Falling Out of Love
(Aretha’s Records)
by A. Scott Galloway
 
For every longstanding fan that has been waiting for The Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin to turn back the hands of time and deliver an album of goose bump-raising performances, this is the answer to every little prayer you’ve said. Talk about inspired. Sister Franklin has been clandestinely finessing this 12-song labor of love for many years, producing much of it herself and giving every component two bosoms worth of tender loving care.

Kelly Price | Kelly

Kelly Price - Kelly
 
Kelly Price | Kelly
by Brent Faulkner
 
It is not unusual for artists who are namely R&B/soul artists to venture into the world of gospel. Oft times, the ‘change of pace’ is only for a season, with the occasional gospel release interspersed between R&B releases. Al Green and Aretha Franklin, both of whom have released gospel albums, for example, returned to their R&B ‘stomping ground.’

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