Gail Pettis | Here in the Moment
by Peggy Oliver
When a jazz singer revisits a standard that has been tackled time and again, it is quite the task to express their musical personality without having to alter the integrity of the original. The experienced jazz vocalist should set the tone for his or her self and their accompanists to create a colorful musical canvas for their audiences.
Wayman Tisdale | The Fonk Record
by Brent Faulkner
Wayman Tisdale was another ‘shining star’ who was ‘gone too soon.’ Although an extremely talented former professional basketball player, Tisdale was equally talented as a multi-instrumentalist, who focused on the bass for the most part. Sadly, in May 2009, Wayman died after a stint with cancer. What did not die was Tisdale’s legacy. Experimental project The Fonk Record (featuring Tiz & The Fonkie Planetarians) is an album that showcases Tisdale’s restless creativity as a musician.
Oli Silk | All We Need
by Brent Faulkner
Pianist Oli Silk continues to keep the ‘art’ of jazz alive through his recent 2010 Trippin N Rhythm Records release All We Need. On the fine All We Need, Silk bridges old and new with creative instrumental orchestrations that keep the prime aspects of jazz alive while blending them with urban sensibilities.
Tracey Harris | Love 365
by Peggy Oliver
Tracey Harris is one of those soulful voices many may not be familiar with. She was first introduced professionally alongside a now popular contemporary jazz player who was also making his debut. Harris sang background on “Feels Good” and the title track of Najee’s 1986 Grammy Award-nominated, Najee’s Theme.
Take 6 | The Most Wonderful Time of The Year
By Peggy Oliver
If there is anybody who could jump start the holiday season with high class, Take 6 would win hands down. This sextet continues to bring their brand of a cappella stylized gospel to the forefront since they bowed on the national scene in 1987. Their humble beginnings were etched on the campus of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama in 1980 as a quartet under the moniker Alliance.
Soul Unsigned, The Urban Soul Connection, Vol. 1
Soul Unsigned is exactly what it sounds like to the ear – a group of soul artists who are
‘upstarts,’ unsigned to a record label, or signed to independent labels. This compilation in …
Lizz Wright | Fellowship
By Peggy Oliver
Growing up in a strict, conservative household, Lizz Wright found several opportunities to stimulate her creativity. Without a television in the house, she listened to radio dramas in learning the art of storytelling. Though she sang traditional gospel as a child, Wright was more attracted to the contemporary side with artists like The Winans and Commissioned who sprinkled their gospel messages with R&B, soul and jazz.
Fourplay | Let’s Touch The Sky
by Peggy Oliver
A band can get into a period of complacency after long establishing their stake in the musical game. But the jazz quartet Fourplay on the heels of their new project, Let’s Touch The Sky, would not have any of that; inviting new Chuck Loeb in the guitar spot replacing long time member Larry Carlton. Bob James first discovered a musical connection with the other Fourplay personnel while still a solo recording artist.
The Best of Gerald Levert
By Brent Faulkner
The unfortunate and untimely death of R&B icon Gerald LeVert in 2006 was a sad day for me and the many fans -especially women (or so I am told) – who loved LeVert’s soul-laden vocals. Sensuality oozed in every LeVert vocal performance, which could be characterized as possessing gospel histrionics and the sensual overtness of the late Marvin Gaye. On The Best of Gerald LeVert, Atlantic/Rhino Records had the arduous task of compiling a single disc covering LeVert’s best.
Fantasia | Back To Me
by Susan Mutharia
“I’m the American idol because my lips are big but, my talent is bigger.” I still remember laughing out loud when Fantasia Barrino said those words during American idol season three. Laughing is the last thing I was doing when she sang Summertime. Laughing is the last thing she was doing when she was crowned the American Idol.
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