Indie neo-soul stylist Carmen Rodgers teaches us the wonders of humanity behind relationships with Hello Human, Volume 1, her first project in six years
Every opportunity for an artist to wear the heart on the sleeve allows them to go as deep as they desire. From her debut CD in 2004, Free, Carmen Rodgers exercises her songwriting rights to create fascinating journals of the complexity behind relationships.
Toni Braxton | Spell My Name
Album review penned by Brent Faulkner
Among the marks of truly compelling and distinct singers is an instantly recognizable voice. Grammy-winning R&B artist Toni Braxton has had this box checked off since the very beginning of her career.
KEM
Love Always Wins
(Motown)
An Album Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Singer/songwriter KEM (Kim Williams) returns with his first album in 6 years since Promise to Love in 2014. As one of Black music’s preeminent love troubadours, the artist continues his richly textured pledges of the heart in a set that fans will surely find well worth the wait.
Ledisi plays The Wild Card on her glorious, independent return to the studio in four years
By Peggy Oliver
Sometimes the multi-Grammy nominations, acclaim for an outstanding body of work and major label status should be an automatic in a stable career path.
Brandy | B7
by Brent Faulkner
There is only one Brandy Norwood, period. The Grammy-winning, mononymous R&B singer, who started in the game as a teen, possesses an expressive, timeless voice that’s truly distinct from everybody else.
Paulette McWilliams
A Woman’s Story
(BluJazz)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Singer Paulette McWilliams has proven herself an invaluable presence in Soul and Jazz beginning in the `70s as the original lead singer of Rufus, preceding Chaka Khan. She then came to Los Angeles at the personal request of Quincy Jones to be officially “introduced” on his LP, Mellow Madness, after which she released her debut album, Never Been Here Before.
Kelly Rowland
“Coffee”
(KTR)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Apparently, the best part of waking up for original Destiny’s Child member Kelly Rowland is a piping hot combo of coffee and come hither! Rowland just dropped a steamy new video/single “Coffee,” the video for which celebrates the beauty of Black women in their all-natural glories of shade, complexion and hue, while the song capes for starting the day with a level measure of morning sex that makes you feel grrrrrreat all day until you return home for a nightcap.
Will Downing
Romantique: Part 2 (EP)
(Sophisticated Soul)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Marking his awe-inspiring 22nd release since he began recording as a solo artist back in 1988, Will Downing focuses his attention on favorite songs originated by baritone vocalists such as Larry Graham and Barry White along with two original compositions to comprise his latest 6-song EP, Romantique Part 2.
Fantasia | Sketchbook
Album review by Brent Faulkner
Releasing her first independent album, Grammy-winning, gospel-infused, contemporary soul singer Fantasia doesn’t miss a beat on her sixth studio album, Sketchbook.
“You see I’ve waited all my life for this moment to arrive / And finally, I believe.” Ah, those were the moving lyrics that Fantasia Barrino sung on “I Believe,” the future Billboard Hot 100 number one single that would win her the third season of American Idol.
Raphael Saadiq | Jimmy Lee
Following an eight-year hiatus between albums, the legendary R&B musician, Raphael Saadiq, drops an album for the ages with Jimmy Lee
Raphael Saadiq is undoubtedly one of the biggest and most notable musicians when it comes to R&B music. His style of R&B often incorporates elements of the past, embracing retro and neo-soul sub-styles, while also exhibiting freshness and progressiveness.