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Soul Music, Page 7

Mysteries of The Elements Unlocked in Earth, Wind & Fire Leader Maurice White’s Posthumous Autobiography

mauricewhite-mylifewithewf-cover
 
The Sunday Morning Book Review by A. Scott Galloway
Maurice White with Herb Powell – “My Life with Earth, Wind & Fire” (Amistad)
 
The mystique of Maurice White contributed greatly to the rise, the fall and the rebirth of the dynamic, inspirational and genre-bending band he dreamed up and brought to life as Earth, Wind & Fire. That vibration made him – as a superstar, a bandleader and a curious lead singer/sex symbol…

Robert Glasper Experiment Emerges As Self-Contained Vocal/Instrumental Band Beyond Borders

robert-glasper-2016
 
The Robert Glasper Experiment
ArtScience
(Blue Note)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
It’s been a long wait for keyboardist Robert Glasper and his quartet the Experiment to get back to making music on its own. Though the group righteously picked up a Grammy for its first of two all-star collaborations with guest vocalists, Black Radio, the promise made by the forward thinking electric ensemble’s debut on the second half of Glasper’s Double Booked CD in 2009 (the first half was Glasper’s acoustic trio) is not only being fulfilled, there are a few awesome and exciting new twists.

Bluey and Incognito Deliver Flawless and Varied “Better Days” CD

Incognito - In Search of Better Days
 
Incognito
In Search of Better Days
(Shanachie)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
 
Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick is easily among the most prolific men in modern music, particularly within his specialty niche of acid jazz/club/quiet storm. Between his solo CDs, outside productions and, of course, his work as leader of the collective Incognito, he is also a generous giver with projects usually no less than 14 solid tracks apiece.

L.A. Soul Music Festival Boasts Victorious First Year

Inaugural L.A. Soul Music Festival Provides Top Talent In A Casual Outdoor Atmosphere
Concert Reflections and Photographs by A. Scott Galloway
 
Southern California inaugurated another 3-Day outdoor summer music weekend event with “The L.A. Soul Music Festival” last week – a program targeting grown folks that love their soul music on the smooth, sexy and contemporary side. It took place on an under-utilized area of Griffith Park near the Gene Autry Western Museum, conveniently just off the 5 Freeway with plenty of blessedly free parking. Reasonably priced and punctually executed, each day of the festival from Friday to Sunday delivered 5 name acts between 6pm and 11pm with a DJ and emcee between each act keeping things lively and flowing.
 
Photo 1 Crowd
Crowd

Frank McComb | Soulmate: Another Love Story

Frank McComb - Another Love Story
 
Frank McComb | Soulmate: Another Love Story
by Peggy Oliver
 
When one decides to zone in on their deepest wishes to play music on a super serious level, the dedication and discipline immediately start kicking in, no matter what disappointments lied ahead. After observing his aunt play the piano, Frank McComb was signed up for piano lessons, even though it lasted just three hours.

Maxwell | blackSUMMERS’night

Maxwell - black SUMMERS' night
 
Maxwell | blackSUMMERS’night
Columbia Records
Review penned by Brent Faulkner
 
In the music world, seven years can be likened to an eternity. The changes that occur in such a period of time tend to be monumental. During Maxwell’s seven-year hiatus between 2009’s Grammy-winning LP BLACKsummers’night and current LP blackSUMMERS’night, R&B has changed considerably.

Will Downing | Black Pearls

Will Downing - Black Pearls II
 
Will Downing | Black Pearls
Shanachie Entertainment
by Peggy Oliver
 
When the judges on various talent competitions pound out the fact that the vocalist’s song choices are so critical, it can be quite annoying or it can be a vocalist’s secret weapon in gaining success. Then when those careers start taking shape in the right direction, this one piece of advice frankly ends up being a vocalist’s best friend.

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