Uncategorized, Page 7

Keyshia Cole | Calling All Hearts
by Brent Faulkner

Keyshia Cole experienced mega success from her first two albums, The
Way It Is and her most critically lauded effort Just Like You. A
Different Me, her third album was successful as well, if less so than
the first two, but spawned ‘minor’ hits through “Playa Cardz Right”
featuring the late 2Pac and “Trust” featuring Monica. That said, it
didn’t garner the success it deserved or that the Cole camp would have
envisioned, despite debuting gallantly at #2 with 322,000 copies sold in
the first week. Who knows if Calling All Hearts is supposed to be a
‘reaction’ to more timid sales or airplay, but some slight cues signify
such (a parental advisory label, a Nicki Minaj feature, etc.) For the
most part, there is not enough change here to signify that Cole is
searching for a new direction as she continues to do what she does best –
adult contemporary themed R&B. ‘Calling All Hearts’ is not Cole’s
best album (some may even argue it is her weakest), but that said, it is
still a strong, worthwhile affair. To continue, Please click “MORE”!

Tank | Now or Never
By Brent Faulkner


Tank (Durrell Babbs) is one of R&B’s premiere talents, but is an
incredibly underrated vocalist. Tank has garnered most of his attention
given his songwriting contributions to other artists (Usher, Fantasia,
etc.). That said, Tank garnered his most notable buzz as a solo artist
with his 2007 effort, Sex, Love & Pain, which featured the
critically acclaimed hit “Please Don’t Go,” easily Tank’s biggest hit to
date. 2010’s follow-up effort Now or Never is solid, though does not
have a “Please Don’t Go” to aid in its promotion (Sex, Love & Pain
was nominated for multiple Grammys and bowed at #2 with 102,000). Now
or Never does keep ‘a good thing going’ with Tank’s continuation of
performing a more ‘refined’ breed of R&B with thoughtful, sensual
songwriting. The biggest quibble about the Grammy-nominated singer’s
new effort is the same as what might be said of his last – it has
tendencies to be boring and sag at given moments. Sure, most
performances are more than nuanced-enough to propel the effort forward,
but additionally, there are moments that are less enthralling. For the
most part, Now or Never proves solid. To continue, Please click “MORE”!

Ray Charles | Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters (Concord)

By Brian Soergel

Imagine being John Burk, the producer who sifted through hundreds of unreleased masters from the legendary Ray Charles in search of a few that would make a cohesive album. Burk’s labor of love is realized with the 10-song Rare Genius: The Undiscovered Masters. It’s no surprise that Burk – EVP for Concord – helmed this release. It’s the third posthumous release of Charles’ music for Concord, following Ray Sings Basie Swing and the Grammy Award-wining Genius Loves Company, the latter Charles’ final studio CD and a certified multi-platinum instant classic that hit No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart. Burk co-produced that CD with Phil Ramone. To continue, Please click “MORE”!

Frank McComb | A New Beginning
By Brent Faulkner


Music artist Frank McComb cannot be clearly pigeonholed into a single
genre; instead, he is best described as an ‘urban’ artist, which is an
‘open-ended categorization.’ McComb, both a versatile vocalist and a
keyboardist, blends the best of smooth jazz, R&B/soul, and gospel
music. The structure of his music tends to possess the harmonic scheme
of smooth jazz, the sensualness of R&B, and the grit and unfurled
emotion and passion of gospel music. On his new effort, A New
Beginning, Frank McComb delivers one ‘knockout punch’ after another, at
times rivaling none other than the master of crossover, Stevie Wonder. A
New Beginning contains no misses, even when there are better cuts than
others, making for quite an enthralling, ‘better than expected’ listen.
Jazz and soul lovers alike will ‘dig’ A New Beginning.
To continue, Please click “MORE”!

Album Review: Various Artists | In The Christmas Groove
By Brent Faulkner


Most people, regardless if they are professional musicians, amateurs or
merely music lovers, LIVE for the holiday season because they get to
‘break out’ their Christmas (holiday) albums. Regardless of religious
preference or the vast array of ways the holidays can be celebrated
(whether it be Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or otherwise), music is a
unique and unifying part of the tradition. There is nothing better than a
great Christmas compilation albums to hype up the holiday season even
more. In The Christmas Groove is just that; it’s a compilation album
that collects classic soul, funk, and blues holiday tracks from the
past. The album is a captivating idea and an even more captivating
listen as it is composed of originals and gems, many unheard before.
Sure, thirteen tracks of similar styles has it sagging moments given the
‘sameness,’ but for the most part, In The Christmas Groove is the
epitomization of great music from the past. To continue, Please click “MORE”!

Album review: Izzi Dunn | Cries and Smiles
By Brent Faulkner


A relatively unknown British songstress (at least in the U.S), Izzi
Dunn, also a multi-instrumentalist, delivers a solid sophomore album,
entitled Cries and Smiles. Dunn’s first effort, The Big Picture, bowed a
staggering seven years back from the September release date of ‘Cries’,
making Cries and Smiles both an introduction and reintroduction of the
singer. Dunn proves to be an impressive vocalist, channeling the
finesse of jazz and the sheer emotion of soul ‘all-in-one.’ It is nice
to see the British soul movement gaining more momentum as of late, given
hiatuses from its most prominent artists. Dunn outdoes herself o’er
and o’er again throughout this effort, making this brief ten song set
well conceived. To continue, Please click “MORE”!

High-energy contemporary jazz saxophonist Paul “Shilts” Weimer certainly boasts ample street cred. He’s a founding member of the Down to the Bone and has rocked on stage with Brand New Heavies and funk kings Was (Not Was). The U.K. native moved to c-jazz friendly Southern California to advance his career and has prospered with three solo CDs. His fourth however, Going Underground, pushes aside any nicety-nice and is what it is – a full-throated, unfiltered, high-powered CD that reflects a new indie spirit as he’s now releasing music unencumbered by record companies. Good call. To continue, Please click “MORE”!