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 …
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.
John Legend & The Roots | Wake Up!
By Susan Mutharia
The year 2008 saw the resurrection of faith and hope in America. On that year, many saw themselves not only as citizens of a country but citizens of the world. People started joining together and saying, “Yes we surely can.” Others went a step further and asked, “What can I do and where do I start?” R&B singer John Legend answered that question by uniting with the great hip-hop group, The Roots.
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.
Calvin Richardson | America’s Most Wanted
by Peggy Oliver
First and foremost, I must ask how can Calvin Richardson top himself after his stunning Bobby Womack tribute project from 2009? Being the so-called Soul Prince, the task should not be too difficult. And who would complain when one’s current back-up band turns out to be The Revelations coming oh-so-fresh off their 2009 contributions, Deep Soul and The Bleeding Edge, that was a meeting of blistering southern soul recalling Stax, Hi and Malaco Records and streetwise sensibility.
Vashawn Mitchell | Triumphant
by Peggy Oliver
Many luminaries in the gospel industry have looked up to Vashawn Mitchell for impeccable gospel melodies since the late nineties. And he has plenty of gospel history in his corner. After his tenure with the St Mark Baptist Church music department under the tutelage of Bishop Lonnie Hunter, he worked his way up the ladder to the Senior Minister of Music position at Sweet Spirit Church. Both congregations are located in Chicago, certainly one of the most influential urban music Meccas in the U.S.
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