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A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway

For his 18th album and first in five years, ever-mellow singer/songwriter Michael Franks delivers the perfect soundtrack to summer. Longtime fans will recognize the 11-song CD as largely comfy and familiar territory with a top shelf sampling of styles.

Thematically, Time Together is part travelogue and part autobiography with a taste of socio-political observation. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Various Artists
The Skip Scarborough Songbook
(Soul Togetherness)
CD Review by Marv D

Do you remember singing the line, “I have never been in love…before” or “You want my love and you can’t deny?”  How about, “Would you mind…if I touched, if I kissed, if held you tight / In the morning light, yeah (ohhhh)” or “Giving you the best that I’ve got.”  Those classic songs were originally sung by L.T.D. (“Love Ballad”), Creative Source (“You Can’t Hide Love”), Earth Wind & Fire (“Love’s Holiday”) and Anita Baker (“Giving You the Best That I Got”), but ALL of them were written by prolific songwriter/producer Clarence “Skip” Scarborough (1944-2003). To continue, please click “MORE”!

Review by A. Scott Galloway

A living legend of music, keyboardist, composer, arranger, film and television scorer, producer and record label co-founder (GRP) Dave Grusin has a catalog of accomplishments that is astounding. This high definition Blu-ray presentation find the multi-faceted music master paying homage to three giants that crossed the jazz and Broadway worlds, along with a few of his own pieces from the Hollywood world. Centered around a live concert with 75-piece orchestra, rhythm section and stellar guest soloists as the foundation, the Blu-ray also boasts behind the scenes interview segments interwoven to illuminate both the process by which Grusin works and the mutual respect between he and his A-list of carefully selected collaborators. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Raphael Saadiq | Stone Rollin’

by Susan Mutahria

Dear Raphael Saadiq a.k.a ‘Ray Ray’,

You are giving me a heart attack and I want you back because I can’t get enough of your new album Stone Rollin’. Here is the situation. Ever since the album rolled out on May 10^th,
I have had you on replay. I find myself looking for love from other
albums but then I figure out they are not you. You keep ‘old school’ so
steamy. You’re a good man, all cards on the table, music so good got me
dancing on the table. Stone Rollin’ is not enough for me, so all I ask of you is to go back to the studio and keep on working.”

Your huge fan,

Susan

Those who have not listened to the new album just branded me crazy. Others who know me well enough just branded me crazy then proceeded to buy the album. Either way you are all right because I am crazy about this album and the musical genius of Raphael Saadiq. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Dennis Coffey | Dennis Coffey
(Strut)
by A. Scott Galloway

Guitarist Dennis Coffey was the ace on the case when Norman Whitfield slipped some psychedelic into Motown’s soul bag on game-changing sides by The Temptations starting with “Cloud Nine” on up through “I Can’t Get Next to You,” “Ball of Confusion” and just about all of, naturally, the Psychedelic Shack Lp. He made a giant platform-shoed step from the shadows of Motown with the instrumental smash “Scorpio,” credited to  Dennis Coffey and the Detroit Guitar Band, eternally linked to the mid-way portion of `70s “Soul Train” episodes and featuring a ferocious bass breakdown by Bob Babbitt. Dennis then recorded eight wah-wah-fied soul-rock albums as well as the score to Kung Fu fightin’ Jim Kelly’s first starring vehicle “Black Belt Jones.” Now following a pair of sleepy smooth jazz affairs in the `80s, Mr. Coffey returns with his first disc in 22 years doing a funky flashback sure to be met with approving head nods from crate diggers with his self-titled Dennis Coffey (available as a CD and double-vinyl Lp). Retro on every level, even the cover is a throwback to his 1973 Sussex Lp, Electric Coffey. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Mateo | Love & Stadiums
By Susan Mutharia

I liked his voice when I first heard him sing Til She Goes.  I developed a crush on his voice when I heard him sing Complicated. I knew it was love when I heard him sing Don’t Shoot Me Down featuring Goapele & Ab Liva.  After the release mixtape Love and Stadiums, I affirmed my deeply rooted love and appreciation for the music of the incredible new voice of Mateo.

Mateo to me represents the power and effect of social networking. I first learnt of his work after reading a tweet from the actor and author Hill Harper. As much as I love and appreciate music, I must confess that at first I checked him out because I thought he is hot. Then I heard him sing and thought, “…wow, he can sing too.”  Later, I came to learn that Hill Harper was indirectly responsible for getting Mateo signed to his former label MySpace records. To continue, please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Musiq Soulchild | Musiqinthemagic
by Brent Faulkner

After nearly a three year hiatus since the fall 2008 release of
Onmyradio, Musiq Soulchild returns in top form on his under-the-radar
2011 Atlantic release Musiqinthemagic. On Musiqinthemagic, the formula
is mostly unchanged for the most part, though Musiq ‘amps’ up the
‘soul-factor’ on this album more pointedly than his last go-around which
was the talented vocalist’s least successful (undeservedly) effort.
Regardless of commercial expectations, aspirations, or successes, as
always, the quality of Musiq’s sixth LP speaks for itself.

There are no misses and as always, consistency plays a major role in Musiq’s music. To continue, please click “MORE”!