Danny Boy | It’s About Time
by Charles F. Sherard
Well, taking a chance to get into more current music than writing mostly about Back In The Day projects, I suppose Chicago’s very own Danny Boy’s “It’s About Time” will make my entrance to this reviews blog a little bit more comfortable. You see, good R&B music is what I am all about anyways, and Danny’s new album fits the script.
Various Artists – C Notes for Haiti
By Peggy Oliver
It seemed like just a minute ago when a cross-section of urban entertainers from Stevie Wonder to Wyclef Jean were making music for one of several fundraisers to collect money for the aftermath of the January earthquake in Haiti. Other famous artists stepped in to produce fundraising singles on behalf of the Haiti earthquake victims. Kirk Franklin and a choir of gospel’s finest under the umbrella Artists United for Haiti asked the question, “Are You Listening.” Another superstar collective revisited the 1985 landmark anthem, “We Are The World,” also celebrating the 25th anniversary of the landmark recording.
Leela James | My Soul
By Peggy Oliver
All the roads in Leela James’ brief but remarkable career have led to her new deal with Stax Records. In hindsight, this move to the resurrected version of the company who brought us Otis Redding and The Staple Singers amongst a cast of hundreds seems perfectly orchestrated.
L’Renee | Europe non-stop.non-pop
(pronounced el-ren-nay)
By Marv D.
As Founder and CEO of L’Renee Musique Inc, you have to wonder where does she find the time to record five cd’s and produce an artist on her own label. Her fan base, mostly women, have grown to a staggering 100k plus and still growing. L’Renee, who is very active in the community, has been a spokesperson for several causes.
Sade | Soldier of Love
By Peggy Oliver
There are several fascinating storylines when it comes to Sade‘s career. They first started recording twenty-five years ago making a huge splash internationally with their creamy smooth jazz/R&B hybrid on the strength of only five albums. Within those five albums came hit after hit in rapid fire succession. From“Your Love Is King,” to “By Your Side,” Nigerian born Sade Adu and musicians Stuart Colin Mathewman, Paul Spencer Denman and Andrew Hale have crafted pop masterpieces with a mellow jazz twist and understated funk attitude.
On this 2nd Atlantic Records release, “Another Round”, 5th studio disc overall, New Brunswick, New Jersey’s own Jaheim Hoagland, simply known as “Jaheim”, is STILL laying down those silky and smooth Teddy Pendergrass (R.I.P.) vocal inspired sounds. Following 2007’s successful Gold certified,”The Makings Of A Man”, as the case of …
Keke Wyatt | Who Knew?
By Peggy Oliver
Advance Review | Coming Feb 23rd, 2010
Remember that back-in-the-day treasure by Jerry Butler, “Only the Strong Survive?”? Keke Wyatt is one of those survivors in the music business who has kept her vocal chops soulfully fresh. During her childhood, Wyatt was the ‘ish’ in her hometown of Indianapolis, Indiana. By age ten, she already experienced her first professional gig for a regionally recorded gospel compilation. Shortly afterwards, she connected with a respected producer – Steve ‘Stone’ Huff (The Isley Brothers) – who took Wyatt under his wing. Under his tutelage, she quickly learned the highs and the hardships of the music business.
(We welcome newcomer to T.U.M.S. Mr. Aaron Johnson as a guest music contributor. Aaron’s relentless passion for the game of music as well as his penchant to write articles for a side hobby embraced the opportunity to open up our arms and allow Mr. Johnson to express himself to us and all. Welcome aboard! ~~ T & The Crew at T.U.M.S.)
Corinne Bailey Rae | The Sea
By Aaron Johnson
Four years after her debut self-titled album Corinne Bailey Rae has released her second body of work entitled “The Sea”. For those of you expecting the light-hearted, soulful sing-a-longs from Mrs. Bailey Rae’s first collection,such as “Put Your Records On” or “Like A Star”, you may be in for an unexpected change in tempo, mood, and the overall feeling that you take from “The Sea”.
Maysa | A Woman In Love The beautiful & talented Maysa burst onto the scene in 1992 as a featured singer in Incognito on their critically acclaimed album,”Tribes, Vibes + Scribes”. Since that time she’s released a series of critically acclaimed solo recordings. On this her 3rd Shananchie Records release, …
Ife | Crescendo
By George Strand
In listening to Ife’s new 5 Track EP called “Crescendo”, there was more to the music than what met the ear. Of course, the productions carried various streams of Neo-Soul compositions, with help from DJ Dodge. Some carried ‘on the waterfront’ – quiet stormin’ lyrics & grooves. However, her impressive VOICE sent a reminder of other R&B starlets that came to mind, whose vocals sounded quite the same in similarity. Not to underscore her absolute talent on the mic, but in comparison, this is what it drew…