A smooth soul album from Kara, available through the label website at www.kdsrecords.com.

The opening cut 'Days and Nights' has a mellow vibe allowing the vocal to ease over some fine keyboard work. Nice hook and a fine cut indeed. 'I like your vibe' as the title might suggest is slightly harder edged and funkier, this and tracks like 'Special' fall more into what has become the neo soul groove.

You get hold of the piano, you get hold of (probably) personal heartfelt lyrics, you take the stage, you enjoy performing this because it is only you, your piano and your feelings and you get 'Show me the way'. A dead slow meaningful ballad and you can almost hear the audience clap at the end. 'You must be' somehow has a kind of spiritual feel to it.

Broadly the album falls into two categories I suppose, the mellow smooth adult Soul on tracks like 'So Nice, 'A love like this', 'Do what you can do' or 'Seasons' another piano led slow ballad, and the neo soul tracks like the ones mentioned above and 'Little by little' and 'Sweeter than sweet'.

All songs written, recorded and produces within the trio of Sarkis, Darren Short and Kara. Kara's vocals float over the arrangements, is easy to listen to and smooth as hot butter. It is mellow and sophisticated and good. It would be nice however to hear what would happen if she 'let it go'. It nearly happens on 'Show me the way' or 'Special' or 'Seasons' but I'm sure there's more.

A good album which actually has been around for a while now, and I'm going to have to find out what else is in prospect

Excellent EP containing 'The Real Thing' 'He's all that' and three mixes of 'Buttnaked'. Tracey a protégé of Cynthia Girty at BaddMomma Music, out of Detroit. Cynthia of course has a mass of experience in particular her work with Bootsy Collins. The blurb with this one talks of 'a rising star'. Yes I can see that happening, with pouting sultry looks, a voice to match and expert guidance, surely so.

'Real thing' I like a lot and have already played this out at our recent Modern Soul events. This drives along with a good chorus. It then takes a rest before hitting you again on the groove. For me this is the top track on evidence here and although it is the title track 'Buttnaked' is given the greater prominence with the additional mixes.

'Buttnaked' is I don't know, you can feel a bit of old skool funkadelic in there but also a bit of current neo soul. Not much to choose between the mixes, there's a 'street edit' I suppose a kind of R'n'B Mix. Could have been a bit harder I think, it's sort of stripped down but I could see this going like say Cutfather and Joe with Mary J Blige or Erykah's Boom Squad. The Club Mix is a US club mix, not to be confused with UK (dance) Club mixes.

'He's all that' with its spoken Spanish intro is a mellower track altogether, the slower vibe allowing the vocal to come through. Certainly a grower this one.

A great introduction to what I am sure will be a new talent.

Five point Plan are a young band out of San Francisco, Jordon Glasgow, Tim Carter, Michael Cruz, David Metzner and featuring the sublime vocals of Latrice Barnett.

I must say that I enjoyed this immensely, the musicianship is good with laid back jazzy rhythms but with contemporary beats and feel, but Latrice's vocals are so good.

'Solid Ground' has a 'space-y' feel (coincidentally a bit like Delilah below), mellow vibe with some turntable-ism and easy vocal. 'Feed your Soul' has a funkier drive and a more solid vocal. 'Second time' is beautiful, cool vocals to the fore, dead slow, good mature lyrics with bass and keyboard.

'Damn' is what I suppose you would call more Neo-Soul. 'Tremble' again ups the tempo although it never gets beyond mid pace. Bass heavy and again a bit of turntable and vocal in keeping with the title. 'Sign your name', the guitar work here reminds me of someone, can't think who , someone in the 80's mellow jazz funk genre.

'Rare', the title track, is indeed strong. Slow, meaningful, and building into almost a gospel crescendo. 'Love Divine' quite funky, sultry vocals but didn't do it for me however. 'Why' is a nice groover, good feel to this one. 'Real' takes us back into spacey swirling vocals over a fast drum and bass beat. 'Take Me' concludes with a dead slow but building dirge.

The band wrote all the songs. The album is mostly pretty laid back but it has a good feel and is good soul. I hope this band has, and I wish it, success. A very fine debut indeed.

This is a well produced album with a neo soul feel bit with some funky and hip hop beats. It's kind of in the modeof Erykah Badu and Jill Scott but it does very much have it's own style. The album has been out for a bit now but is getting some extra attention due to a hook up with Cafe deSoul in the UK who have licensed "Lessons in Life".

"Slow but sweet" opens with a spoken-ish vocal, but indeed with a hook that gets you, over some very nice beats. This leads into "Fly Ass Kicks" with some hip hop beats and scratches, which has a summery, New York neighborhood feel to it.

"Do whatcha gotta do" is a good lilting ballad with a mellower feel to it -nice cut. The vibe changes again showing versatility into a midtempo jazzy thang - "Don't be sad", before changing again into "Day" a melodic and downbeat ballad. "Bud" is a smooth groover with a repetitive hook over a choppy beat and freestyle vocal. "Here we go" is fairly typical of much of neo soul, the type that doesn't really go anywhere!

"Came 2 pass", almost acceppella. Or at least with sparse acoustic backing. "Lessons in life" is the the cut on Cafe De Soul, a funky standout track. "A tune 2 me" has harder persistent beats with the by now familiar vocals, half sung , half spoken. "Opinions" get us back into a more regular soul groove, before hitting the Acceppella stylee ending, self analysis "Woman".

The end of course except for the bonus track, "Just Go" with pleading vocals over a Rock feel.

 All in all a very good album where Delilah has put her stamp on the scene, she writes all the material, or at least she does with her FunknStuff Crew. There is much on here to commend and I'm sure Delilah will reach higher heights.

Natalie Brown - Let the Candle Burn - Identity Records 30002 http://www.identity-records.com/

The album kicks into top gear with the excellent catchy R'n'B of 'Let the Candle Burn', Natalie's vocal coming through strongly. 'More today than yesterday' seemingly has a harder edge bit still succeeds in having an easy mellow chorus, and includes a rap by High Intent.

'You make me feel' is a slow sensitive ballad, allowing the vocal to ebb and flow over the slow beat and mellow chorus. 'You're so good to me' is funkier but in a mellow kind of way, and once again the lead integrates well with the backing track vocals. This is one groovy little cut. 'You pierced my soul' a deep and personal cut with a haunting chorus, one of those that sticks with you and runs away in your mind.

'Run away' was released as a single, and is as good as a great deal in the popular end of the R'n'B market. 'Locked in the shadows' is another ballad. 'Confused' has a mellower feel and less prominent vocal which is nice because when I saw some of the blurb extolling a 'powerful 4.5 octave range' I was kinda dreading listening because in my experience when you see that kind of thing all you usually get is overpowering , not very good, showmanship. Fortunately I was wrong and Natalie just lest her vocals ease through the songs without any 'showy-ness'.

'Wind at my back' is a simply constructed ballad, 'You gotta believe' picks up the pace with a midtempo stepper. We then ease into a couple more ballads 'Love has finally called my name' and 'In your arms again'. The latter being particularly good. Closing on a personal thought (I would guess) 'In my dreams'.

Natalie wrote virtually all of the tracks with Jeremy Rwakaara and they are strong and well suited to her material. The album is also well produced and packaged for an independent CD. She hails from Canada but this was cut where she now lives in San Francisco. She has studied with vocal instructor Seth Riggs who has worked with Deborah Cox for example, and Terry Ellis of En vogue and Rosie Gaines. Natalie has gained a lot of exposure through the internet - check the excellent website for a wealth of information.

I don't feel tat we have heard the last of this and I would guess that she has the ability to go mainstream, much in the same way as say Anastasia. Good Luck.

This is altogether much jazzier than 'Soul Singer' but Ledisi's voice is just so irresistible.

'So right' starts off powerful and soulful and is probably my pick of the album. 'I've got it' mellows down somewhat, gettting into a jazzier groove so typical of the album.

Sugar/Brown Sugar is a clever play between the jazz Sugar of Stanley Turrentine and the soulful Brown Sugar of D'Angelo. 'Meeting Marcus on a Thursday' has a traditional jazzy feel with conversational lyrics and excellent trumpet solo.

'Round Midnight' and 'Straight no chaser' is Ledisi meets Monk - straight up jazz in these wonderful adaptations adding Ledisi's stamp to such traditional standars.

'Feeling Orange but sometimes Blue' is Ledisi at her lyrical best and this opens up into a very percussive, latin jazz thing with Pete Escovado and some beautiful horns. The freestyle percussion break is excellent and the 'skat' if that's what it is I do like rather than the out and out jazz ones.

'In a Sentimental Mood' - back to the heritage and The Duke gets the Ledisi treatment.

'If you go' is a moody, soulful and heart wrenching lyric over only a piano, short but showing the voice to the full. 'Autumn Leaves' illustrating the cheery, optimistic and uplifting side of Autumn. A lighter feel to this over Sun's piano. 'Land of the free' - conscious lyric over a moody piano and throbbing bass.

A mention also for Sun as the two go together and work so well, and the Braxtons. Ledisi is a strong songwriter and this comes through or is even enhanced through the jazz idiom. I found just a little to much skatting for my own personal choice but it does help to illustrate the strength of the voice.

I like this album a lot and I can see where the jazz cuts enhance the project. It is a completely different album than 'Soul Singer' but Ledisi wins me over with her power, her voice, her production. That said I hope that this is a diversion rather than a road, as personally I prefer the Soulful side, but this album assists in the process of getting to know and understand Ledisi. This album will only enhance her position and illustrate further her talents as a writer, performer and future star.

Link to purchase this CD - mystique

Ebony Williams, aka Mystique is a 21 years old R&B songstress who started singing when she was thirteen and was in her first group called Destiny at the age of 16. She has a masters in Piano.

At the age of 19 she auditioned for the independent label called Negro League Entertainment, based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia. NLE the label grew out of NLE Baseball about 2 years ago and has a roster of 3 R'n'B and 6 hip hop artists. Hopefully more about them in due course. Run by Richard Turner.

The intention with this album was to follow the style of say Erykah Badu or Jill Scott, but to introduce an individuality. So producer Micheal Pickens (Mike Wundah) came up with a style which to be is a jazzy showtime, almost Cotton Club, backdrop against which Mystique's vocal glides over and under in and out in an R'n'B stylee. This concept sounds as if there is some mileage in it but I have to say that I found it a bit wearing. It would have been good across a couple of tracks but I couldn't stick with it across the whole album.

Street Light opens with nice easy melody and twinkly piano. Crazy Things brings in the muted trumpet and a harder edge. Where we going back to the piano which I assume is Mystique herself, duetting with Wadee, who also appears to have a good R'n'B voice. You must be crazy is some style but with some hip hop beats.

Throw it back featuring Chant is a Ragga type cut and for me this track succeeds as much if not more than any other. The harder edged tracks like Mean what you say for me stand out more, and this is probably the pick of the album. The album picks up at this point as well followed by Don't Talk, and closing on two sultry cuts Tell Me and Luva Luva. These final two cuts are more the kind of material I would like to see Mystique heading.

The album aims to be different which it is. Whether it succeeds is down to your own interpretation, buy it and check for yourself.

All music on here is written produced and performed by Lee Anduze. Anduze hails from St Croix in the US Virgin Islands. Can be purchased from www.cdbaby.com/anduze2

The album certainly has a feel good vibe to it. Anduze's voice is sweet ,harmonic and the songs are well written and melodic, well performed and put together. There is a certain 'ease' and relaxed feel to the whole performance. Not sure where the comparisons are - Seal has been mentioned - there is that kind of 'relaxed -ness!' to it, though both have styles of their own.

'Brazil' starts us of with a light reggae groove behind Anduze's sweet vocal, quite a commercial feel to this. 'Unbreakable' has a good hook over a low key but beat-y bassline. 'Positive revolution' cuts a strong lyric - a sort of 60's San Franciscan sound to this!.

'You didn't' is probably the top cut on the album, a well constructed and performed ballad. Deep, meaningful and pleading over the piano. This is the sort of cut that if somebody like say Lionel Ritchie got hold of it would be massive.

'Wisdom' is where the album starts to kick a bit, is more current R'n'B in style, complete with 'rap'. 'Lost and found' brings it back down with a thoughtful ballad. 'The background' keeps it mellow but a stronger hook. 'Til I see the sun' is completely different with rap, and horns moving in and out, a bit acid jazz - nice.

'Easier said' is back to a sultry, moving ballad over piano.

The songs on here all run together well, the vocal style is good, there are no particular stand out tracks but there is not a bad one either. The album grows with plays. I find this one a difficult one to call really, there's something different about it and in that respect I like it. There's some talent in here in the writing and the performing and I'm sure we'll be hearing more and that Anduze will find or create his 'niche'.

This will - or should get plays in the adult orientated, mellow market place but not sure if it kicks enough to cross to the Soul audience. Difficult to fault in application and the songs and voice will certainly appeal to the right audience.

This was released in I think early 2000 but only just got a copy. Not sure if this is really my usual cup of tea but the more I play it the more it grows and me and there are certainly some things to commend. Produced by Trevor Gale.

Adam is based in New York and from the information he sent me he appears to be a regular on the New York gigging circuit receiving some rave reviews locally.

There are so many influences merged together in Adam's style. There is certainly a 'folky R'n'B style of say Bill Withers and a jazzy George Benson. Indeed Adam wrote 'In search of a dream' and 'True Blue' for George. He has also performed with Phyllis Hyman, Will Downing and Jonathan Butler to name a few. What stands out for me though is the songwriting and the guitar playing.

'The Infinite (NaNA)' starts the album with strong beat and acoustic guitar. Love the female backing towards the end of this strong cut. 'Rhythm of love' is funky almost reggae beat. 'Question (Where do we go from here)' is a bit Gil Scott Heron over a Benson jazz guitar and wailing background. Whatever it's deep social observation.

'Stuck on you' is more mellow, a jazzy love song. 'Up from the skies' is a more traditional jazzy number, vocally reminding me of something, not sure what, maybe something like Oscar Brown Jnr. 'Love moves on' is a folky accoustic ballad which didn't do much for me, unlike 'Real' which I found much better being more soulful. Closing with the beautiful jazz guitar led instrumental 'Soul Catcher'

Wasn't too sure about this at first but as I sat down to finalise my thoughts I found myself liking it very much.

This is a 5 Track (including 2 mixes of Chocolate Caramel Brown) sampler EP. The 'Chocolate' cut has a hard funky beat and a good time chorus and is one that grows - what I didn't like was the opening 'muted' vocal but this only lasts for a couple of lines and when the song hits properly it's a mighty fine piece.

'When you try' is a soulful dance cut. 'Why don't you believe' is deep slow and meaningful. 'The message' the title cut has a more jazz tinged flavour and you can easily imagine this being performed in a jazz supper club, when the chorus cuts in it enhances a very nice track indeed, reminding me of Patti Austin.

All together this is a varied showcase of jazzy flavoured contemporary R'n'B which hopefully will be the stepping stone to greater things. All of the tracks have something to commend and they build everytime you listen to them.

This small sampler shows Tamika's versatility in style but also vocal and lyrical content. Produced and co written by Jimi Fischer. Tamika co wrote all the songs.

Tamika is out of Oakland California and influenced by the likes of Anita Baker, Rachelle Ferrell, Phylis Hyman and Will Downing.

Link - http://www.tamikawilliamsclark.com/

Recently came across Ed recently when he toured the UK with the Fatback Band, only to find that he has cut a solo jazz album Chapter 2. Confirming his great versatility recently met up with him at his more traditional jazz residency as part of the Ernest Hyaes Jazz Quartet at Nells in New York.

The album is varied in style and influence with jazz, latin, R&B and funky beats. Opening with the funky latin of Frequent Flyer with a keyboard solo bu Donald Blackman.. 'I'll see you when I get there' is an uplifting smooth groovin cut, and then we get a moody and sultry Remember Whwn. 'Destiny's Ride' introduces the excellent vocal of Mekea Keith.

Next we mellow out to 'It's all in your mind'. Ed's own composition is the funky and pickin 'The Nasty', again with Don Blackman on the keys. 'You are the one' brings back the fast Latin percussive beat. Duke Ellington's 'In a sentimental mood' is just that. Closing with the Isleys 'For the love of you'.

Ed's website is at www.saxmaster.com

At Nells on 16 Feb 2002, Ed dancing with Dominique, Ed, Don Varner myself and Ed

Yazharah came to prominence recently as part of Erykah's Mama's Gun team and this album is very definitely of that Neo - Soul genre. This album produced by Chip Shearin and written, or at least she had a hand in most of the songs, largely by YahZarah herself. The album is well produced and well delivered Independent Soul. It's been out a few months now but has only recently hit me - and hit me it surely did. A couple of throbbin' Nu - Soul cuts break you in and then the top cut Black Star takes it to another level. 'Guillotine' is haunting and somewhat bizarre with almost a drum and bass backbeat.

'Love is you' is more traditional type ballad. 'Natural' , 'Nova' and 'Laugh' are three more funky bass heavy steppin' cuts. 'Urgency' brings in an extra keyboard adding a smoother dimension. 'Friday' is a jazzier more uptempo cut.

Don't mean to be narrow minded 'cos I'm not but the Rock styled 'Babylove' did nothing at all for me.

An exceptional album which more than holds it's own amongst the big names of Neo Soul. If there's any justice YahZara will soon be up amongst them.

This is a nice little album containing 9 tracks from the Florida based Marcy 'Lady Ann' Hamilton. What strikes me about this album is the ease that it is to listen to despite there being several different styles in evidence, moving effortlessly between them.

Starting off with a fun funky Party piece, and then into ballads 'That's Right Its over' and 'Let me love you', both delivered with strong vocals and harmonic backing. 'Whatever' is more uptempo in a Modern Soul fairly commercial kind of groove.

'All about the Benz' is a funky R'n'B thing with rap written and performed by the whole of the 'crew' . Marcy seems to have got together a tight group of people to collaborate and perform with and whether the songs are written or performed together or individually doesn't seem to matter.

'Let it go' is a mellow groove and one of my pics from the album. Concluding with the self penned and soulful jazzy I'm over you.

There's Gospel, jazz and soul influences in evidence and this is a well rounded and well put together album deserving some attention.

This albums although Gospel based and Gospel driven captures many elements of Nu Soul and R'n'B. I guess that this isn't surprising given that Tiffany worked extensively as lead support for Eric Benet and also for Erykah Badu. Lyrically the album is gospel in outlook but not overtly so. Produced and written jointly with Lew Laing at their own studios this is extremely well produced - Lew also playing all the instruments.

I sense a touch of Angie Stone in the opening track, Everything I do (is 4 U), and Erykah in New Wine. Both tracks suggest the versatility and professionalism of the whole project. New Wine certainly is one of the pick cuts. River of Love is a beautiful ballad. Send Me is a monster cut, a searing deep emotional soul gospel. The way you do is a track I particularly like - a soulful ballad with a hip hop break. Chajah displays a Latin style.

The Naked Truth - the title track with old style rap intro and explanation. The closing ballad - Something More - is a little Whitney but fine indeed.

A very worthwhile album and I'm sure that we've not heard the last of Tiffany, or indeed Lew. Her voice is meaningful and soulful, her words are her strength, and she fits effortlessly into either the Gospel or Soul/R'n'B idiom - but why pigeon hole - this is a class album.