Uncategorized, Page 3

Album Review: Reggie Young | Steppin’ Up
by Brent Faulkner

Steppin’ Up is standout bassist Reggie Young’s latest music project,
released July 5, 2011 on his own label, RGY Entertainment. Steppin’ Up
is an exceptional ‘jazz’ effort, but ultimately transcends the
confinements of one concrete style of music, shifting between jazz,
soul, funk, rock, gospel, and reggae. Young’s restlessness as an artist
makes Steppin’ Up such an exciting and worthwhile jazz offering,
shedding the clichés and providing an enthralling listening affair
throughout its fifty-three minute duration. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Jill Scott | The Light Of The Sun
By Susan Mutharia

There is a beam that has been radiating on Jill Scott. It has filled her
with a glow, energized her flow and created a remarkable illumination
known as The Light of The Sun. Jill Scott’s new album
which was released on 06/21/2011 is nothing short of splendid. The
beautiful singer/writer/poet/actress and mother has walked us through
what she is, who she is, where she is and what she has been through
without losing her element. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Beyoncé | 4
by Brent Faulkner

Beyoncé’s fourth studio LP 4 is certainly her most intriguing album.
The ‘intrigue’ is that the R&B/Pop chanteuse is truly ‘all over the
place’ stylistically on this album, which proves to be a mixed blessing.
While the ‘crossover’ tactics show Beyoncé’s sense of exploration and
evolution, some work more effectively than others. Beyoncé’s vocals
are always top notch, but the material is so ambitious or such a radical
departure at times that it comes off as off-putting or bewildering. To
Beyoncé’s credit, it is nice to hear the artist stretch herself and 4
does deliver some ‘knock-out punches.’ The biggest flaw, however maybe
merely the ordering of the track list on 4, which is a bit odd. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Patsy Moore
Expatriates
(Papa Chuy)

A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

There is no harder working entity in the music business than a Black woman singer that doesn’t do R&B, sings softly, expresses her culture and education with exquisite class, and whose latest album just happened to turn out to be a concept album – an outstanding one at that. God bless Patsy Moore. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Pat Metheny
What’s It All About
(Nonesuch)
 
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

In honor of it being the first day of summer, I did something I rarely have to do when it comes to new music: I stopped by Amoeba Music on Sunset and bought What’s It All About, the new Metheny solo guitar CD on which – for the first time – he exclusively attends to a selection of 10 pop songs in his inimitable style. Considering that the songs all stem from the `60s and very early `70s, I gathered these were personal touchstones from one of my favorite artist’s formative years as both a young man and aspiring musician. What could be more worthy of purchase than this? I slid it into the car CD player as I wound my way into the hot afternoon, onto the serpentine freeway, and proceeded to get blissfully lost. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Alicia Keys
songs in A minor: 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition
(J Records)

A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

I was not feeling Alicia Keys when she first arrived on the scene. To be specific, I was not feeling all the hype that surrounded the Piano 101 James Brown-derived track of “Fallin’” or the schizoid nature of songs in A minor as a whole. Sure, the sista was talented, driven and easy on the eyes (from her braids to that boo-tay), and she did have one undeniable classic on the disc (“A Woman’s Worth”). Still, what I heard more than anything was promise…not already-there excellence to the tune of 12 million copies sold. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Ledisi | Pieces of Me
by Brent Faulkner

In today’s R&B world, many artists on the ‘wrong side’ of Top 40
find themselves trying to compromise or ‘bridge the gap’ to become part
of the radio fold. Ledisi’s fifth studio effort, 2011’s Pieces of Me is
no different. On Pieces of Me, the incredibly gifted singer explores
her identity and exudes ‘more of her personality’ for both her fans’
sake and radio. Overall, the results are positive and Ledisi is able to
show her versatility and range. To continue, please click “MORE”!

The 33rd Anniversary Playboy Jazz Festival
at The Hollywood Bowl
Hollywood, CA
June 11-12, 2011
By Jerry “The Mouse” Clark

Day One:

As usual the weather cooperates with the Playboy Jazz Festival patrons. After the June- gloom morning clouds burned off, the sun sparkled with delight. Kicking off the festival in long-standing tradition, Master of Ceremonies Bill Cosby introduced The LAUSD All City High School Big Band under the direction of Tony White and J.B. Dyas. Closing your eyes, you would imagine that the likes of Basie, Dorsey or Ellington’s orchestras were gracing the hallowed round shell of the legendary Hollywood Bowl stage. To continue, please click “MORE”!