MODERN SOUL and R'n'B REVIEWS
Scroll
down for reviews of the following:-
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A Sample
of Random Soul ft Reilly, Lynden david Hall, Chyna and Fatback Stanley
James – Household Name Nu Motion
Klique – Grand Behaviour Heavy – Promo CD Terell – new tracks Aki El-Hajj – Africa & the Magic
Man Michaux Leroy Martez Bell – Spending Time Amp Fiddler – Waltz of a ghetto Fly |
Parkes
Stewart - Heart & Soul Fatbacks
2nd Generation Gladyz E
Thomas – You can’t blame love Andreus –
Street Troubadour (US Release) Seek –
Journey into Day Dexter
Myers – demos Jarrard
Anthony – Don’t Sleep Just Dream Curtis
Blandon – Northern Soul Legend Eric
Roberson presents The Vault Vol 1 Lisala |
Reviews
Index - Reviews
Parkes Stewart - Heart & Soul available
from www.spiritmusic.co.uk
A Stunning, soulful and moving album. Billed as
Motown Soul and certainly echoes of Marvin Gaye in there. There’s barely a dud
track but the first three tracks are exceptional and difficult to choose a
favourite, though if pressed I’d go for This is my story, a pleading ballad.
Consistently strong throughout whether a ballad, a
funk, gospel, old or new skool soul.
Probably one of the strongest albums of the year so far. Well produced and delivered, not
overtly Gospel but the message is there but will appeal to the secular, layered
harmonies giving it a ‘non independent’ feel – take Trust Him for example, very
strong lyrically. More Marvin feel
on My Brother. Brown eyes is an
epic ballad. Lyrically emotive in the field of relationships
Excellent, gorgeous love it to bits, check also the review and interview
here http://www.gospelflava.com/reviews/parkesstewart.html
Spirit Music | GOSPEL/R&B/SOUL | Parkes Stewart
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Parkes
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Spirit Music | GOSPEL/R&B/SOUL | Parkes Stewart
Fatback’s Second Generation – http://www.fatbackband.com/
I don’t have a track listing for this but it is a
new album by the perennial fatback band, supplied to me by the SoulTrain
collective in connection with their visit to the UK for Glastonbury and
selected gigs.
The whole package has a really nice feel to it,
rather easy, lazy but hard funk, with a modern twist. The professionalism and experience of the old skool Fatbacks
coupled with a fresh sound. Not as
commercial and energetic as some of the previous popular material from the 70’s
and 80’s but still funky. The
first three tracks on the package are exceptional.
An fine ballad at track 5, Baby let me do that
thing. Track 8 has a Latino feel
with a bit of PigBag. Great slow hip hop at Track 9. In the morning (track 10) is a bluesy ballad featuring I
assume Quinetta Simpson. Also includes an excellent mellow jazzy funky
instrumental.
As usual with the fatbacks, great fun and great to
see that they’re still funkin.
A Sample of Random Soul ft Reilly, Lynden David
Hall, Chyna and Fatback, available from www.randomrecordsuk.com
Reilly –
Earthquake : Reilly is a young Irish American, managed by Michelle Gayle, this
is produced by Terry Dudley (50 Cent, Dru Hill), this is catchy, funky and it
sounds as if Reilly has a pretty decent voice. Unfortunately not the best of material to showcase it as it
will be more popular in the clubs.
Lynden David Hall – Pimps Playas and Hustlers – This as one might expect
from a more established name is much better. Unmistakably LDH on a moody tale of Pimps Players and
Hustlers, reminding me of Andreus but also more generally of a Curtis Chicago
street thang, but straight out of the UK.
Laidback and classy. I really do hope that there’s a place for this.
Chyna –
Love you like – Co written by Jamelia, a slow beaty ballad, produced by Dodge.
Again a classy piece of work and it’s great that Diggz the founder of the label
is giving material like this a chance
Fatback –
Diamond in the rough – The best on show in the sampler is this from the opening
bars, mellow groove, excellent vocals, tinkly pianos, evoking an easy summer’s
day, produced by Narada Michael Walden. I hope Diggz link up with Narada will
continue to give us tracks of this quality, but the key is that not only do we
have a great production we have a great song and a great artist.
I wish this new label much success and if this is
a taste of things to come it will get it.
Stanley James – Household Name – www.cdbaby.com/stanleyjames2
A predominantly smooth, mellow
package cut in a modern style but still evoking memories of old skool
Chicago. Stanley sings songs of
love and life, looking at it from his own perspective, which is maybe slightly
differenet from the norm e.g Love beat the Hell Outta me, a painful story which
we’ve all been hit with but with a little bit of humour. The songs are well structured and easy,
perfectly suited to his voice.
I like it when the pace picks up a
bit, tracks like Oooh I like it, is not exactly uptempo but it has more bite to
it. Taking it back also is an
excellent cut perfectly formed for a UK audience. Shine also falls into this mode.
Everytime is one of the best
ballads on the album, a bit of 80’s Stevie Wonder in there. Checkin Me is a tad more current R’n’B
sounding as is B4 I was a star ft Kambino.
A solid and consistent album with
a refreshing thoughtful approach to the lyrics, with a mix to please both the
young and the old(er).
Gladyz E Thomas – You can’t blame love
From the forthcoming EP My Place and out of Lamar
Thomas’s stable. A song, which
builds beautifully – a gorgeous mellow piece of soul. Lamar consistently comes up with great material and this has
his usual stamp on it and my usual stamp of approval. It’s only a matter of time!
Andreus – Street Troubadour (US Release) http://www.andreusmusic.com/
Coming some months after the Uk release but I
still love this to death, enhanced by the fact that I was lucky enough to see
Andreus at her first New York gig back in March.
Slightly different track order in the US and
adding Rebellious Love and losing Daddy Please and Sweet Land, with 2 mixes of
Mississippi. This doesn’t detract
at all from the concept nature of the album.
This
is one great album, above everything it has a feel, a vibe, a menace that you
can literally touch. A concept album telling of life and the streets in
Chicago, and told in pure Chicago Soul, as opposed to heavy hip hop that you
would maybe associate with this kind of thing these days.
My
original comments still stand which was - The intro sets the vibe leading into
some rock guitar riffs but with sweet Curtis vocals. Comparisons with Curtis
Mayfield are inevitable, not only because of vocal style but the also the
consciousness. Who am I is a monologue question over a haunting and threatening
harmony.
Whether
the lyrics are visual or autobiographical I don't know, but they conjure up any
image and this continues on Bastard Child, a choppy soul number, and you can
almost see the film behind this soundtrack. Hustla's Theme in the context of
the theme is strong (dope, money and power) but this track also stands alone as
a superb slab of soul, carried on a hook that is so strong lyrically and
rhythmically.
The
wrong way is exposed and the answer comes in the form of togetherness and
spirituality and hope, plus the thought that out of all the wrongdoing comes so
much good. On Ghetto Music we move into Marley influenced reggae and rasta
backbeats and ideology.
Mississippi,
another track that is strong enough to stand alone on a grooving modern soul
beat, dreams of returning to roots in the country, away from devilment and
temptation. Get Something is the dream, Hey young World is the hope and Child
of life is the reality.
The
US mix is very different from the Uk, nice though mellower.
A
year or so on still a great album .
In y view it is so good as to be groundbreaking in todays marketplace.
Nu Motion Klique – Grand Behaviour
An excellent set from Nu Motion Klique. A varied
well produced and old skool soulful collection of songs. Pick for me is the Isley esque (all in
my mind!) ballad Melody in my mind and the modern soul upbeat the Last Time
which is getting plays up and down the UK, both featuring Lisa Vinson.
But there is a myriad of styles on such a small
collection such as the jazzy Maybe Next Time reminiscent of the CTI Kudu era
laden with the guitar work of Wendell Chopper Sewell and floating harmonies.
Participation is upbeat catchy and contemporary featuring Cherie. Don’t drop the ball is a funky
instrumental, and Nov 23 takes us back into jazzier territory.
Tracks: Intro;
Maybe Next Time; Participation; Melody in My Mind; The Last Time; Don’t drop
the ball; Nov 23; Participation (inst).
Seek – Journey into Day – Brash www.seekmusic.net
www.brashmusic.net
Now out in the US on Brash following the UK
release on Dome – Lisa and Freddy are were interviewed on this site after the
UK release. Absolutely top notch
album and still sounds fresh, even tracks like Talk about it which was hammered
on UK dancefloors a bit back.
Pretty much every track has something going for it from the jazzy
complex arrangement opening Open the way through to the thoroughly danceable
Talk about it and Something Real (my preferred of those two) and all parts in
between.
The album eludes a laid back chilled feeling, it
does go up and down tempo, but it is all pretty confined within that definition
without really letting go or really mellowing out. That said it is warm cool and inviting.
The ballads believe me and Last night are modern
and well and truly chilled as opposed to being deep. Some all night dancing is, I don’t know, modern disco I
suppose. Taken I kinda like in that Lisa’s vocals come over a bit stronger.
Journey into Day the title track includes Angela Johnson among the writing
credits and is certainly strong enough for title track.
Closing with a couple of remixes – the seekronised mix of Right Here and
Touriva mix of Ever After, both excellent.
Certainly an album that you can play all the way
through which is a pretty strong recommendation in my book.
Track
Listings
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1. Open The Way |
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2. Rise |
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3. Talk About It |
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4. Something Real |
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5. Believe Me |
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6. Last Night |
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7. Some All Night Dancing |
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8. DJ's Make The Music Go Round |
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9. .Taken |
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10. Loving Heart |
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11. Journey Into Day |
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12. Right Here - (Seekronized remix) |
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13. Everafter - (Tauriva remix) |
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Dexter Myers – demos - Review to come
Jarrard Anthony – Don’t Sleep Just Dream - www.jarrardanthony.com
Kicking off in fine style with a midtempo cut
Sweet memories, memories of an earlier relationship. The album is an amalgam of
smooth grooves, urban styles and a fine soulful vocal. The pace picks up for
What’s Going Down a cut that fits exactly what the Modern UK soul rooms are
playing and is one of the album highlists.
Well produced album with hardly a dud track, most
of which are downtempo and fits Jarrard’s song and voice. Top cuts are D-Vine and Lovesick (co
written with Bob Baldwin and Others).
Perhaps a bit more variety required but certainly an album worth looking
out for.
Track Listings:
1. Sweet
Memories 7. Circles 2. Candy
8. Can't
Believe(You Cheated) 3. Whats Going
Down 9. Don't Ever?
4. True Love 10. In your Eyes 5. So-D-vine 11. The
Dream 6.
Lovesick Curtis Blandon – Northern Soul Legend - Great to see names like Curtis Blandon coming back
into the fold. This 6 track piece
– well 3 really plus 3 instrumentals – is available from www.curtisblandon.com Don’t take me for granted is far and away the best
track not only for the fact that it contains an excellent vocal performance by
Curtis, is a good song, but also because it is recorded with a band which adds
to much more feel. The other tracks Sexy and Time to move on are
recorded with Curtis doing all the instrumentation which, notwithstanding that
they may be good songs well sung, leaves them feeling a little vacant. Time to move is preferable in my view. Heavy
– Promo CD - Review to come Four Track promo to be released I understand at
end of May. Heavy are a duet –
Casey and Niki who I saw at a showcase in New York and they looked very
promising indeed and I understand that they are getting interest from some very
interesting sources. Do For You – A fairly up-tempo soulful dance item,
the kind of which will go down in UK Modern Soul rooms. Catchy hook lines and
excellent lead by Niki, probably will harden up on the finished mix – great
stuff. Just Can’t Get is again led
by Niki with Casey’s instrumentation prominent. This is more quirky, more freestyle in the lead but kept in check
by a fine chorus. She Who Knows is
a different style indeed, long, interesting, jazzy and lazy with Casey doing
most of the work. Niki is heavily influenced by Minnie Ripperton and this is
clearly evident on Wonderlove. Think we could see a lot of these guys and I wish
them well, thanks to Teddy Crockett for the intro Terell
– new tracks - I met Terell recently in New York and he gave me a
CDR of his new product. It wasn’t
until I got home that I realised that there were two CD’s and a total of 19
tracks! Terell delivers with
maturity, excellent lyrics and delivery.
There are mainstream ballads which could turn into epics – for example
Look what you’ve done if it was done by Lionel Ritchie or someone like that –
through to melodic and current R’n’B sung with Soul and excluding all the
excesses. There are mellow and easy laid back cuts like I
can picture us (I may get the titles wrong as I am guessing them as I have no
track listings). Are you ready is
slightly heavier and more r’n b and builds into a very nice track indeed. Terell is still building the tracks but there is
an overall consistency in whatever mood the track is. I’m moving on is a great cut - More uptempo and catchy. Looking for love takes it back down to a slow jam and Terell
seems extremely comfortable with these tracks and they allow his vocals to come
over strongly. On I do it is
positively is Stevie-esque, an older feel. Stevie Wonder is also evident on a later track – Just want
to say I love you. That’s all I wanna do is a dead slow ballad
predominantly vocals over beats. Meandering between slow ballads (Never be
lonely), to midtempo at the most frantic but always polished (Come back to
me). I’m sorry is funkier, as is a
track called Same Time Same Place, the nearest to hip hop. Just as I thought we were slightly on the wane two
really moody haunting tracks get thrown in to great effect Why can’t we try and
Can I. Terell apart from concentrating his mind on the
next album is working more on his live act, which I am told is the best means
to see his talent. Well I would
say his talent is pretty evident from this. He has his head screwed on and is taking sensible advice
from his management but I have no doubts that he will break through. Aki
El-Hajj – Africa & the Magic Man - Out of Detroit featuring Aki El-Hajj and on
background Veronica Mackie and Joan Cawford. Motorville Records and Publishing Co. two very nice tracks indeed Africa with
excellent backing vocals and a mellow tale of the motherland evoking feelings
of pain and hope. The Magic Man is
a more traditional ballad. But
what hits me about these two tracks is the quality of Aki’s lead vocals, deep
and soulful especially on Magic Man, the more I hear it the more I like it
excellent catchy chorus that runs around in your head. It reminds me very much
of someone …….not sure at the moment but I’ll get there! Michaux
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Just Michaux www.michauxmusic.com Essentially a mellow well put together
production wise and performance wise, but bringing together a blend of gospel,
smooth soul, R’n’B and a touch of Urban.
Opening in smooth soul style with ‘All I need’ then going a bit more
R’n’b with Hey Girl Hey Playa and the slow Anything. There’s a trio of tracks in the middle that I
like a lot, again mellow but sweet but superbly controlled vocals, a sweet ballad
Toni, to the first track that is more overtly gospel He paid it all, and a
haunting Curtis-esque What you wouldn’t do for love, which for me is close on
being the best track before it closes out rather quickly. Pace quickens with the funky, live feel of Love
you the right way. Resti2tion
again is funkier and in my view much better than the previous track with
distant horns and some Prince or Clinton like qualities. Stay is a simple but unconvincing ballad. Payment is a sort of Restition reprise
and closing with some nice Hip Hop or Christian Rap on Necessary Truth. All round strong album that gives props to the
old skool, but also having a current edge. The songs are also strong given Michaux’s commendable views
on life. Resti2tion and What you wouldn’t do for love are standout for me. Leroy Martez Bell – Spending Time – Martez Music This mini album is a bit different
from the norm, acoustic guitar led songs. I wouldn't have said generally that
this kind of thing was my cup of tea. However the songs are top quality and
given the style they exude a warmth that you do not often get. Excellently
produced and the songs all fit superbly Leroy's style and sweet but mildly
course vocal. Marketplace? I can certainly see a
place in the smooth adult orientated stations. Maybe also this is a showcase
for the songwriting talents I 'm not sure. I can certainly see tracks being
picked up across the board. For example Almost Peaceful has an aging West Coast
mellowness to it that could be picked up by such a rock band. The whole thing
has a sort of soft rock feel to it, it's acoustic but not in a folksy Bill
Withers direction. The plaintive Can't run back to me is my favorite. Leroy plays guitar, percussion sings
and produced the album. The package is a world away from where soul or R'n'B is
headed these days and that's certainly not meant as a negative comment. In some
ways it is refreshing. I find it hard to say anything bad about this but I can
appreciate it but I can't say that I'm really feeling it. Tracks:- Spending Time, Almost
Peaceful, She believes, Divine Intervention, Can't run back, Ready to fall, Eric Roberson presents The Vault Vol 1 www.blueerrosoul.com www.ericroberson.com Eric Roberson presents The Vault Vol 1.5 Vol 1 and it's predecessor (which i understand is
now unavailable) has been available for a while now and it has obtained high
critical acclaim from the warmth of the voice and the quality of the production
and in particular the songwriting. Eric has built up an impressive CV in
connection not only with his songs but the people who work and want to cut at
Erro's studio.. Consequently on Volume 1 he has enlisted an array
of production talent. This adds strength and depth, yet because of the album's
consistency you'd hardly notice. All songs have been written by Eric and it is
from the strength therein on which this album is built. Meandering between
mello soul, old skool through to neo vibes you ride on a consistent journey of
quality. Featuring also on One Time is Jill Scott. Best cut for me is When Love calls, an easy mellow
catchy hook. Tracks; she couldn't hear me, past
paradise, rock with you, please don't leave me, hold on, rain on my parade,
rebound, should we try, one time ft Jill Scott, when love calls, be with you. Vol 1.5 I understand gets released soon this year
2004. I have little detail but Eric has kindly supplied me with a pre copy Much as I like vol 1, vol 1.5 is a notch up. From
the opening track Show must go on (forgive me if I get the titles wrong), a
burning haunting Marvin esque the quality oozes through. From the opening bars
and backing Aa aahs, track two is a killer, Eric builds the lyrics but all the
way through you are wanting and expecting the backing to cut in. Please don't
leave me picks up to almost midtempo, and is the kind of track that picks up in
the UK. Track 4 is more freestyle, cuts a funky groove, is
different and kinda nice, bit Norman Whitfield in fact, with a string feel over
persistent beat and funky organ. Crazy thing, a love ballad, an outstanding
song with great vocals, a bit stronger or more upfront than on some of the
earlier cuts. Track 6 is jazzier, fine sax intertwining with the vocals. Track
9,how can i have you, contains some excellent vocal double tracking. Surprise in store on track 10. starts of with a
strong beat, neo style freestyle vocals and a hook, lyrically building an
evenings entertainment with a lady, then after some 3 and a half minutes when
it could be closing down a surprise, a complete change of tempo and style into
a fast paced almost frantic (in the context of the song) jazzy enjoyment.
Closing with a simple keyboard Stevie style ballad. Again the songs and the production improves and is
more varied than vol 1 giving an excellent feel and groove and is consistently
strong. An absolute joy, spread the word. Amp Fiddler – Waltz of a ghetto Fly – genuine www.ampfiddler.com Amp, out of Detroit, is currently
getting good coverage and positive vibes and pretty universal acclaim and I am
not going to detract from that. Now certain comparisons are inevitable but it
rings to mind a day as a young 16 or 17 year old that i heard 'Fresh' in a club
environment. It had a club kind of vibe yet it was also conceptual, thought
provoking and pretty individualist. From the opening bars of I believe in you I
get that kind of feel. Whether Amp gets as far as Sly that remains to be seen
but there's no reason why not. There's a fluidity that sets it apart
from some of the Philly stuff. The backbeats are jazzy and beaty, sufficient
for the dancefloor. The album is not instant, takes a few plays, but once you
get onto the wavelength, the pull is strong. Excellently produced and put
together and the laid back jazziness behind the beat really appeals, especially
on possibilities. There are mellow house vibes on say superficial. Otherwise
it's mello funky in an old school way – you play me for example in a
curtisslyesque kind of way. Eye to eye is more of a traditional ballad but
again with a personal stamp on it. Messages to, personal ones, but also thought
provoking and political (Love and War). He voice is especially strained on if
you can't get me off your mind. Concluding with the title track which somehow
in those five words sums it up. There are many commendable tracks. For
me the best are Superficial, possibilities, eye to eye. A real solid album that
builds and grows. Look out for the forthcoming gigs too. Tracks:- Intro, I believe in you,
dreamin, superficial, possibilities, soul divine, you play me, eye to eye, love
and war, if you can't get me off your mind, unconditional eyes, this is how,
waltz of a ghetto fly. Lisala – Get It – Anonka Records www.lisala.com Hope to do a feature shortly so more
information about Lisala should be forthcoming. Suffice to say a stalwart of
the New York scene and has built up a strong reputation. This her first album
is well produced, strong songs and pretty diverse in delivery. Pigeon hole? Neo I suppose. Some songs
of that type have a groove that I find a bit messy like Get it, Have to say and
the heavier Straight to me. That said as a package the flow is good and
Lisala's voice is strong soulful and powerful. It comes to the fore on more
traditional ballads like Watching Me and an excellent emotional performance on
Last Tear. Another fine track is another ballad,
Take my hand, that gets moderately funky as it builds to it's end and the
reprise. My favorite cut I think is Lie to me , probably the most beaty track
on the album, nice groove where the beat and the vocals fit perfectly. The vocals are extended to the full on
At all times, a modern feel but you can feel a touch of the old skool, and some
of the classic soul voices. Nothing to upbeat or R'n'B in evidence
which is fine. Lisal has devoted a lot of energy into this package and the one
thing I would say is that Lisala knows her niche and direction that she wants
to follow and in following it she has turned out a pretty good all round
package, as a package, as a concept the whole is better than a sum of the parts
which individually at times don't grab me. Grits and Soul that's what you need! Tracks:-Ready to, Get it,
Independence, Watching me, Last Tear, On my mind, Have to say, Apple Pie, Grit
Soul, Take my hand, Lie to me, The trusth, Straight to you, At all times, Tell
me something good. Visitors:
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