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Album Review: Jill Scott, Hidden Beach Presents the Original Jill Scott, Vol. 1
by Brent Faulkner

Hidden Beach Recordings was the home to R&B singer/poet Jill Scott
up until her 2007 LP The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3; latest
studio effort The Light of the Sun was released on Scott’s own Blues
Babe Records and distributed through Warner Brothers Records. The break
between Scott and Hidden Beach was not without its disputes and
controversy, however the result is a somewhat of a win for both parties –
the release of unreleased cuts from the singer which profits both
entities. Hidden Beach Presents the Original Jill Scott, Vol. 1 is by no
means a new studio album from Scott and ultimately, it falls short of
the quality that her studio releases have come to be characterized by.
That said, the compilation does show how marvelously talented, soulful,
and creative Jill Scott is. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Deitrick Haddon | Anthology: The Writer & His Music
By Peggy Oliver
 
As contemporary gospel presented many important influential voices to the landscape throughout the seventies and eighties like the Crouches, the Hawkins and the Winans, the following decade would prove no exception. When Deitrick Haddon hit the nineties decade — and hit it radically hard — another chapter would soon be written as his ‘gospel soul’ imprint has heavily influenced the way most people hear gospel to this day. Coming from one of gospel’s landmark cities Detroit, Michigan, Haddon feeds his progressive praise and worship with R&B, soul and funk and everything else in between. His mix of Biblical inspiration with shadings of Prince, Michael Jackson and others have intrigued both fans, critics and the industry especially when he launched his solo career in 2002 with Lost & Found. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Joss Stone | LP1
by Brent Faulkner

Joss Stone’s recent career has seemed to be a bit less stable than when
the neo-soul singer first bowed in the U.S. On 2007’s Introducing,
Stone tried to position herself as recharging or reinvigorating a career
that had already been solidified by two critically acclaimed efforts
(not to mention Grammy-nominated). Her exclusive Colour Me Free
suffered from only being available at Target, not to mention the lack of
a distinct promo single to stir up the buzz. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Lorenzo Johnson | Things Are Looking Up
ZoSmooth Records
by Jerry “The Mouse” Clark

It is refreshing to discover that your CD collection has gained a keeper. I personally define a keeper as music that never grows old. D.C. area native Lorenzo Johnson’s debut project “Things Are Looking Up” fits this category. The multi-talented producer, manager and musician who has worked with Ledisi, Maysa, Salt N’ Pepa, Chuck Brown and many others, now displays his personal talent on this self-made project. To continue, please click “MORE”!

EP Review: LaTina Webb | Hush
Pebbles Of Enlightenment Music
by Susan Mutharia

I watch her as she gracefully walks across the stage and settles in on her position… She is beautiful and elegant. I scope out her hair and her dress, noting her fashion style. I then make a mental note to judge her vocals when she sings. I wonder, “Who is she and how did she get here?” I know her name alright but I know she is more than just a name. The artist she is singing behind tonight glides on stage and steals the moment. Caught between drooling over my fantasy man and the euphoria of the moment, I forget all my questions about the girl…until the final standing ovation. As they bow with gratitude, I rise and wonder, “Who is LaTina Webb?” To continue, please click “MORE”!