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Maty Soul

Goldenchild – Rising Rebel

 

Trish n Tom – Something Good

 

David Mensah – Food of Love

 

Rogiers – Life and Music

 

Steve Wallace – Hope 4 the holidays

 

Nick Rolfe – The mind of an evolutionary

Nhojj – Someday peace love & freedom

 

Deniece Williams – Love Niecy Style

 

UltraNate – Grime Silk Thunder

 

Gwen Miller – Phases of love Vol 1

 

Envy – Every Anything

 

Mena – LiViNG my life

 

 

 

 

 

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NICK ROLFE: The Mind Of An Evolutionary

 

Maty Soul   http://www.myspace.com/matysoul http://www.matysoul.com/

 

Info:-Maty Soul is a Soul singer, songwriter and composer. From an early age she fell in love with the music of Miles Davis, Bob Marley and Marvin Gaye. She was moved by the rhythms, the voices and the messages of protest in their songs, and developed her own style of singing from these influences. After finishing high school and a short stint at university. She found her home in the Montmartre-Barbès district of Paris well-known for its artistic and multicultural vibe. In pursuing her musical career, Maty Soul opened up for a gospel choir in 2000 and recorded her first demo in 2001. Since 2003 she has been singing regularly at Soul and Jazz venues in Paris, including l’Opus Café and Le Réservoir, where independent artists are able to showcase their talent. In April 2006, Maty Soul launched her page on Myspace. She received a warm welcome here in France and also from the U.K. and the U.S..Maty Soul has also been encouraged by the feedback she has had from Karen Bernod (background vocalist for D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige); Peter Black (a Hidden Beach artist who appears on the Unwrapped compilations) , Nicole Russo (who sang with the Brand New Heavies). Maty Soul is working on her album and has just recorded two songs, « My Mind Went To The 70s » and « Love Jones » with a backing lineup of seasoned jazz musicians such as Michel Alibo (Les Nubians, Manu Dibango, Sixun). Maty Soul’s music deals with social and political realities. She feels deeply concerned by injustice and inequality, and dedicates one of her songs to Martin Luther King, Jr. Her voice has been compared to that of Lauryn Hill and Jill Scottt. She has a voice that is warm and powerful, that ranges from the rhythmic force of Soul to the subtle charms of Jazz. Her passion for both is undisputed. And this passion she wishes to share with you..................................................................................................

 

Review: - Only a couple of tracks to review my mind went to the 70’s and Love Jones.  There are a couple more tracks at the nyspace site linked above.

The former is a slow moderately funky track, with excellent vocals and a nice vibe, not particularly 70’s as the tite might suggest.  Good instumentation from the band with some fine sax by Olivier towards the end.  Love Jones is a powerful ballad, again well sung and complimeted by the sax, which really kicks in as the track builds. Two great tracks.

 

Goldenchild – Rising Rebel   http://www.myspace.com/dadathegoldenchild

 

 

Info:- When people speak of a person as being gifted, it is usually one talent that the person obtains they are referring to. This one talent is honed and crafted, nurtured and grown. But when speaking of Dada A.K.A The Golden Child, one cannot confine him to one talent, as he has many.

From a young child Dada began with auditioning for an NBC pilot. As an adolescent he attended the infamous F.H. LaGuardia High school of Performing Arts. He went on to successful completion of the world-renowned Howard University with his BA in Radio/TV/Film productions. Dada has truly been busy nurturing his crafts.

Beginning with his first love Hip-Hop music, Goldenchild is not just a rapper, but also an emcee; he is an emcee who also produces his music. Goldenchild has been rhyming, and producing tracks for five years. Listening to one of The Goldenchild's songs is like watching rhythmic tunes and lyrical expertise make love to sound waves. It is an experience of his mind, a trip through his heart, only to grab on to your soul. An average rapper does not have the musical gift, the ability to write, and the finesse to produce like a teacher amongst students. The Goldenchild however, is no average rapper.

Writing lyrics to rhymes, poetry, and stories made Goldenchild try his hand at song writing and production for others. He is currently writing and co-producing selected works to newly signed artists like AKIR, "Hip Hop Supergroup" The Reavers , "ReggaeSoulHipHop" band of talented musicians "PLAN B" and a plethora of international artists throughout Europe.

Due to the overwhelming response from talent executives, fans, family and "friends" from Myspace.com, The Goldenchild's main focus is finishing up the recording and production phase of his debut album. To his credit the album features exclusive production from NYC's beatsmith Metaphysic (who has produces works for Jay-Z, Dead Prez, Immortal Techinque, and AZ) Japanese-born producer Koichi and of course new genre-defying music from The Goldenchild featuring live instrumentation from the musicians in the band PLAN B.

The man they call The Golden Child,was given this name because a close friend said, everything he touches is fruitful, whatever it is, it always becomes golden. Whether it beats, rhymes, writing, or acting, The Golden Child has it mastered! Like masterful people do, even with all his skills and talent, he is constantly growing and innovating.

Review:- not exactly sure how availablesome of these tracks are as Goldebnchild gave me the CD, entitled Rising Rebel, at the indie soul party, but several of the cuts are available for Snocap download at his myspace page, link above.

The CD I have contains Slavery, Rise, babylon Falls, Choices ft The Reavers, Hold U, Beautiful Love ft Sirena and Wanna Live ftNadia. Essentially Hip Hop but lots of influences from Hip Hop, Reggae and Soul in terms of music but also lyrically.  Slavery, strong on lyric, and strong on feel with a deep choral, almost menacing edge. Rise, babylon Falls, as the title might suggest has a reggae beat, and Dada’s voice kind of suits this style I feel.

The Reavers are  - *Vordul Mega (Cannibal Ox) *Billy Woodz (Backwoodz Studioz) *Karniege (Big Kidz Designs) *Akir (One Enterprises) *Hasan Salaam (5th Column) *Goldenchild (Metropoliz Media Musak) *Dom Pacino (Killarmy) *Keith Masters (Backwoodz Studioz) *Priviledge (Backwoodz Studioz) *Kong & Spiega (Monsta Island Czars) and last but not least DJ Emagine (Emagination Productions) and they feature on Choices, this track is a harder style of Hip Hop and is one of the top tracks, and seems to finish too short!

Hold U doesn’t quite come up to the same standard in my view, but back on track with Beautiful Love ft Sirena, with familiar sample giving it a more commercial edge.  The sampler closes with Wanna Live ft Nadia has a feelgood happy summer vibe,  kind of caribbean steel drums and swirling seas – its not but that’s the feel it evokes!

 

Trish n Tom – Something Good http://tritommusic.com/home.html

 

Bio

  
Tn'T (Trish & Tom), first and foremost are soul mates. The two met as members in the soul-funk band Pryme Tyme (Trish lead vocals, Tom drummer, songwriter, vocals). They write music that is real, funky, melodic, from the soul, the heart, and all else that is good. In 2003 they recorded their debut cd 'Sweet Like Honey'. Often times the question is asked. Did they grow up in households heavily influenced by mom and dads' jazz and soul collection? Or were their parents famous musicians and singers? Absolutely not. There were a few Ray Charles records lying around. The order of the day in Toms' house was usually gospel music. So who and what were their influences? How did they come up with
this eclectic mix of soul and funk? Well first, you have Tom who's from the south and then there's Trish who was born and raised in the north. Their style is simply a reflection of the many hours spent listening to artists such as Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Sly & The Family Stone, Gladys Knight and The Pips, Stevie Wonder, Roberta Flack and many others. Tn'T have been influenced by all genres of music...jazz, blues, hip hop, rock, pop, house, reggae, and every other kind of music under the sun. Oh yeah, and don't forget Toms' uncle Sam Matt, who is one of the most prolific gospel singers ever not heard of.

When Trish & Tom sit down to write, do they want to provoke thought? Of course not, Save the world? No, that's way too complicated, although they feel more love for your fellow man can go a long way. Their first objective is to entertain by making sure they are lyrically real, drawing from their own relationship and life around them. Positivity is a must and the music has to stay funky. James Brown said it best "whatever it is, it's got to be funky". Hopefully these three things come together and somewhere alone the way the listener is uplifted. Finally you ask, do they believe in themselves? Check them out, the answer is obvious.

So where does all this lead to? Ah... now we're getting somewhere. The title is 'Something Good' this is the sophomore release from Tn'T. This cd comes after there first release 'Sweet Like Honey', which kicked down the door and introduced Tn'T to the world of indie soul. 'Something Good' consist of 17 new tracks with all but four of the songs written and produced by the dynamic duo themselves. All of the tracks were recorded in house at their own Light, Laugh, and Love studio. Of course they invited some of the funkiest musicians on the planet over to bless the tracks. Although Trish and Tom love using the term 'funk' to describe their music, this cd is diverse and will take the listener on an unforgettable musical journey. The songs vary from the up tempo, rock you out 'Soul Music In a Hip Hop World' to the new dance anthem, 'Anyway You Want It' co-produced with Johnny Ray Reid of 'Crown Heights Affair', to the ballad '2 Be Loved', to the funk you out 'I Got It', and the sure to be a hit 'Bet Your $'. There are many more soulful stops in between.

This funky duo has rocked stages in New York City at venues such as The Baggott Inn (Village Soul Festival), Asford and Simpsons' Sugar bar, The Five Spot (Brooklyn), Cafe 111, The Cutting Room, Creole (Harlem), and have performed extensively throughout the southeastern United States. Tn'T has received radio air play on STMS Radio AM 1240 WGBB, WHPC 90.3 FM (Laura Dee Tonic Fusion), WNYC 1440 AM J.D. Lawrence Early Sunday Show, and WHCR 90.3 FM (Rhythm-N-Soul Radio) hosted by Marko Nobles. Trish and Tom can also be heard doing vocals on the upcoming made for children's television and soon to be released on dvd 'Noodle Heads'. You might ask yourself. What does this have to do with soul music? The answer is absolutely nothing, we just thought we'd throw it in.

Tn'T has also worked extensively as songwriters, co-producers, vocalist, and musicians with legendary funk and dance producers Ray Reid and Kenton Nix. Reid is most notable for his work with (Crown Heights Affair, Unlimited Touch, France Jolie, etc., etc.). While Nix is known for his hits, 'Heartbeat' (Taana Gardner), 'Funky Sensation' (Gwen McCrae). In addition Tn'T has opened for the late great Stanley Turrentine and have had the privilege of doing r&b soul workshops featuring James D-Train Williams who recorded the hit 'Keep On'.

Trish and Tom have been blessed with wonderful lives, so it's only fitting they project this in their music. That's why they're dedicated to making sure they always create positive, feel good... soulful, funky music. So remember the new cd 'Something Good', check it out you'll find the title most appropriate. To listen to more music from 'Something Good' meet us at our website, http://www.tritommusic.com. You can click on the above link.

 

 

Review – Another strong indie soul album out of New York.  Trish n’Tom putting together a fine a varied selection of tunes with influences from all around and very well produced and put together.

 

The opener Soul Music is quite Rocky but it is upbeat with a lyric telling it like it is – Soul Music is on the up right!.  Welcome to the parts contains a strong 80’s beat and lots of other old skool influences in there like maybe Chic or Ashford and Simpson, good stuff.  Anyway you want it is has a newer dance feel but I can still here some old stuff in there, which is maybe not surprising given the producer..

 

2 be loved brings it right down, complete with string arrangement and acoustic guitar  - in fact lots going on out of each channel, yet it still alows for a strong vocal and the track to build.  Something good an optimistic song and we hope so to, yet though it’s the title track, it’s not the strongest in my view.

 

More Love is funkier with Tom taking the lead, catchy hook lines.  I got some loving for you has Johnny Ray Reid and William Anderson on production duties again, like this track a long, its slower in a lazy funk vibe, yet strong, likeing Tom’s old skool vocals too, yes am definitely loving this track.

 

Wonderful Tonight is a stripped right back acoustic version of Clapton’s song. Bet your $ is a full on dance anthem track, with powerful strong vocals as befitting such a track, certainly grabs you hard but doesn’t quite do enough for me.  The tempos are really up now, pretty much full on house I wanna thank you I find much more preferable than the previous track.

 

Lov’in you is also a good funky groove with Trish takin the lead and I want you in my life is a great one to end on, save for the Lets do this remix

 

A most enjoyable album, lots of tracks, not all hit the spot but there are plenty that do, covering a wide range of styles so something ought to grab you.  My preferences are I got some loving, Soul Music and the gospel house track I wanna thank you.

 

 

1 Soul Music Intro 2 Soul Music 3 Welcome to the Party 4 Anyway You Want It 5 2 Be Loved 6 Something Good 7 More Love 8 I Got Some Lov'in For You 9 So Hard So Cold 10 Wonderful Tonight 11 Bet Your $ 12 I Wanna Thank You 13 I Got It 14 Lov'in You 15 Higher 16 I Want You in My Life 17 Let's Do This (remix)

 

David Mensah – Food of Love http://www.myspace.com/LondonCityRnB

 

Picture the streets of working-class East London in the 1980s, where the booming bass of Reggae fills and thrills the formative ears of a young boy taking it all in like a rhymic memory. That thumping bass, that lively musical flow, it was banging from the walls and pumping through the floors and the halls, embedding its way into the soul of David Mensah
With a move to Wales, this elixir was cut and mixed with a heady fusion of Nirvana, Radio Head,Blur and REM. Yes, music was slowly taking its effect and increasing in its potency. Still David dabled with house music before experimenting with Jungle and Drum n Bass in a search for new musical highs. But Trevor Nelson's Radio 1 show made certain that even in Wales, David still took soulful doses of Mary J., Jodeci, Black Street, Erica Badu, Maxwell, D'Angelo, Adina Howard and others to solidify David Mensah's lasting habit With a move back to the progressive London scene, Mensah trained at the Patrick Jean Paul Dean Vocal Academy. The rest, as they say, is history. Mensah would learn his craft under the tuition of Patrick Jean-Paul-Dean (whose fantastic rep as a Gospel singer would find him later nominated for a MOBO award for Best Gospel)
It was while there that David MenSah developed his singular sound. That sound is a mix of melodic soul, colored by warm shades of seductive sensitivity.
The years of study and formal technique paid off for Mensah. From school, he began his musical career as a prominent member of the vocal harmony group Dark Roses. Together, they were electric, and the blend was tight. Their debut single "I LIKE THE GIRLS" became a hit on the UK underground scene. The strength of their single secured them a deal with UNIVERSAL MUSIC. Their video for "I LIKE THE GIRLS" received steady rotation on HOME CHOICE TELEVISION and PASSION TV and radio stations GALAXY FM, XTREEM FM
As a group, Dark Rose gigged hard and successfully, and Mensah, by then a polished performer has performed to thousands at the Common Wealth Games Celebrations Manchester, Anti Racisism Festival Greenwich Park, Hackney Volcano Festival Hackney Marshes, Regent Street Festival London, London Twice as Nice, The Ocean Hackney London, Galaxy FM Live Stage Birmingham, Extreem FM Bar Rocca London,Tiger Tiger London, Browns London.
As a solo act, Mensah has enjoyed a varied career performing with a versatile crème de la crème of established and burgeoning musical artists

 

Review: I have a 4 track sampler containing Food of Love, My Day, Only wanna be your lover and God Bless the Child.  Not sure of  the retail availability of these tracks but I am sure that if you hit David up on his Myspace  you can sort something out.

 

The four tracks are varied and perfectly showcase a variety of styles.  Food of Love is a great ballad that builds from just piano vocals into a track overlayed with gospel influences, very nice it is too. My day is more upbeat, a midtempo danceable groove with a catchy My day, my day, my day, hook which keeps it in your head long after you’ve turned your CD player off. Only wanna be our lover is also upbeat but still different than the previous track, harder, more 80’s in styling maybe.  And closing with a fine version of God Bless.

 

Rogiers – Life and Music www.fibbymusic.net

 

 

Four years after his two year stint being the keyboardist-organist-background singer to nine-time Grammy© winner Alicia Keys added to a third failed recording deal, Rogiérs finally stands at the segue of ..indie-artist with unyielding buzz.. and ..certified breakthrough.. in R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop. A point that he always imagined but simultaneously disbelieves. ..I..ve pursued this for so long that there..ve been moments when I forgot why I was doing it, and even more-that I actually could do it", says the singer/songwriter/producer. For Rogiérs, observing the landscape of popular music during the last few years has brought both incredible hopes yet despair-not just as an artist but for the entire field. There was hope that the promise of his ..sexy-soul.. voice, ..expressive.. playing, ..deliberate.. lyrical viewpoints and yes, good looks-could be a revitalizing ingredient which the industry and so many listeners seemed to long for. But it also brought despair that maybe these values had been overstated. ..I haven..t been ..excited.. about a new artist in years..I can think of three or four artists in the last five years that I..ve actually been ..excited.. about; two out of four either never came out or sold less than 250,000 records,.. says Rogiérs of the genre..s monotonous trend. It..s a trend that has sedated music lovers and yielded many acts to obscurity after months of costly marketing campaigns. It was these internal conflicts that conceived Rogiérs.. lead single ..Life & Music.. (produced by Dré Bowman and Rogiérs). Since its release in June 2006, the single has gained airplay stateside and in Europe- most notably in the UK..s top R&B/Soul/Hip-Hop formats. Born of an insightful conversation with close friend and EMI writer, Makeba Riddick (who penned hit singles for Beyoncé, Rhianna, J-Lo and B2K respectively), ..Life & Music.. explores the very real convictions of a do or die passion and an anxious desire to enjoy life..s necessities and simple pleasures. Ironically the very convictions that created ..Life & Music.. soon became Rogiérs..s motivation to stay on track with his music and continue recording. ..I always tell people who listen to the song for the first time that I..m ..over.. making the decision [to choose] but it was a real question I had to ask myself.., he says. Don..t compare Rogiérs to R&B/Soul..s reigning phenoms- there is room for ..successful diversity.. in the category, he says smiling. With his laundry list of worldwide performance credits both singing and playing, a distinguished formal musical education and personal endorsements spanning from award-winning artists like Alicia Keys, Chaka Khan, Wil-i-Am (Black Eyed Peas) to Bilal, Dwele, and Wajeed (Bling47) for starters, it..s a good thing Rogiérs chose music. © 2006 FibbyMusic Group www.FibbyMusic.net

 

Review – just a couple of tracks to review My Gift, Life and Music and a remix of the latter featuring Big Tone.  My gift is a gem, uptempo and the sort of track that the UK loves, great vibe, great hook, soft yet soulful vocals.  Life and Music, Life and Soul!, same theme, same thought process really. This track is different, a mellow yet punchy groove, quite sparse arrangement yet plently going on and the chorus lies there in the background in a kind of eerie haunting way. The remix adds a harder R’n’B edge and hip hop influences, despite the harder edge the vocals are actually more upfront and it works.

 

Steve Wallace – Hope 4 the holidays http://www.stevewallacemusic.com/

 

“Steve Wallace is A WUNDERKIND!!! He’s done it again!!!
RAPID DELIVERY of a Special Limited Edition CD called

“Hope 4 Tha Holidays” On D & R Entertainment – Griot Musicworks, LLC.

The Leader of the “Neo-Renaissance Movement” ! Delivers a CD that’s historic, traditional, NEW & Upbeat for the masses without being ‘preachy’…Check out the review below & listen 4 ya self!!! To see Steve’s Bio again please visit our CD Baby page for our “Come With tha Real” debut CD!!! Stay tuned THIS SUMMER FOR:

“Urban Soul”  On D & R Entertainment – Griot Musicworks, LLC.!!! Summer 2007

 

Review: - Steve Wallace is a determined man, so when he says only a few weeks before Christmas that he’s going to do and release a Christmas CD, do it all by himself…..and I mean all….then it will happen……..and it did…….and it was a success.

 

I may be a bit late reviewing this but it is well worth getting and I know that there are literally only a handfiul of copies left, so you will need to move quickly.

 

Now when Christmas comes I am always searching for a Christmas album to play.  There’s always the fallbacks, Spector, Motown, some reggae Christmas things, but usually there just played because they’re there.  To date the album I have played most, and enjoyed most over Christmas is the Sounds of Blackness Christmas album.    Until now and it’s gonna be this one.  From traditional, to own compasitiosn, sometimes traditionally delivered, sometimes not. For example Steve’s own Perfect Christmas sounds more ‘trad’ that his version of Hark the Herald. And all with the determined effervescence of Steve Wallace.

 

Tracks:- 1 intro 2 a perfect christmas 3 hark 'tha herald angels sing! 4 christmas time 5 sweet lil' jesus boy 6 god rest ye merry gentlemen! 7 a christmas 2 remember 8 silent night 9 hope 4 tha holidays! 10 oh holy night 11 ... 12 ... 13 ...?

 

Nick Rolfe – The mind of an evolutionary http://www.nickrolfe.com/3.0/index.html

 

  

 

Info:-By now anyone familiar with the music of singer, songwriter, and keyboard wiz, Nick Rolfe, knows full well his inclination to challenge. Challenge listeners with a sound that renders category useless. That challenges the notion that any is indeed necessary. With his release, Just A Modern Day Soul Man the title proclaimed boldly who he is as he aimed to stretch the perception of what "soul" music is . With many of his contemporaries falling prey to sameness for an empty guarantee of success Rolfe introduced himself to the scene with an eclectic brew that raised eyes to a dexterous and soulful talent with something to say and perhaps even something to prove.

On his acclaimed subsequent release, The Remedy, Rolfe blossomed into an even more savvy craftsman of expressive tracks. Boasting provocative prose ushered by funk-filled grooves and stellar musicianship laid down by Rolfe and his Slick Jackson crew this winning collection was more than a hint to the premise that it may very well be as its title, The Remedy suggested encouraging ISPYSOUL.COM to deem it "A wonderfully eclectic and soulful elixir for the predictable commercial music scene."

Now this accomplished musician who in addition to droppin' artistry as a leader has been lending his talents to a range of outstanding artists such as Lizz Wright, Amel Larrieux, T.S. Monk, Omar, Russell Gunn, Benny Golson and more is back with his boldest statement yet, the highly anticipated release of his latest, The Mind of An Evolutionary. With this effort Nick Rolfe has challenged even himself to display the full spectrum of his musical influences and the poignant views of his mind's eye. As provocative as the cover itself, which cleverly reveals Rolfe himself dropping "bullets", this collection stretches the sound of soul music like few others today dare to do. Twisting up rock, jazz, funk and pop the result is a successful balance of upbeat good times and heavy helpings of consciousness that will have music junkies grabbin' at comparisons that run the time line while at the same time cheering on his fresh approach. With the super funky Slick Jackson core (teddycrockett, Mike Griot, Eric Brown) a sterling cast of additional heavy hitters such as Russell Gunn (Cee-Lo, D'Angelo, his own 2x Grammy nominated Ethnomusicology) Gene Lake (Meshell Ndegeocello, Joe Zawinul, David Sanborn) , Cindy Blackman (Lenny Kravitz, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Henderson), Terreon Gully (Christian McBride, Stefon Harris), Kenny Davis (George Duke, Herbie Hancock), Carlos Henderson (Common, Amel Larrieux, Erykah Badu) and more help bring the vision to life - A vision that as Rolfe describes on the opening intro is one of "music that has evolved beyond category, not just jazz ,soul, rock or funk but all of that, cause" as he continues, "after all it's just music y'all."

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to The Mind of An Evolutionary!

 

Review:-Bumped into teddy Crockett recently and e gave me this, another project that he is involved with. And initially it grabs you with a top notch super funky, old skool, proper musicians (as you’d expect from anything Teddy has anything to do with), singalong, Movin' On, a gem of a track, loads going on and an especially nice trumpet.

 

It's Got To Get Better continues in a funky groove, maybe slightly mellower, classic funky guitar and organ, shades of Sly on the vocal, and a message like the good old funk tracks.

Amazing is faster paced and I dh as the first two tracks, but having played it a few times I’m not so sure!  Man on a Mission is harder, heavier rockier, and not really my bag at all. 

 

Tainted Love is a change of mood, mellower, strong vocals, bit jazzier, and this groove continues into a fine version of Just The Two of Us , which is perfectly suited to  Nick’s style. 

 

Cranked up again Gold Digger with fast spoken, quite sparse funk, just noticed from the sleeve that my favourites, and the funkiest grooves are coming out of the sessions recorded at Excello, not sure what that means, just an observation.  So havithe next track should be good!  See What's Goin' Down well not the bst but still pretty good, and it does continue in that old skool funk groove.

 

Daily Prayer is deep and moving, slow and thoughful over a heavy but distant guitar wailing, and de’Andre’s vocals adding depth, vocally strong too. Although slow and moody and not instant this has to be one of the standout tracks. Closing  on  a track stripped back to the basic quartet Life .

 

A very strong album with several tracks standing out, conceptually and musicianship..ly! also a winner.

 

1 Intro 2 Movin' On 3 It's Got To Get Better 4 Amazing 5 Man on a Mission 6 Interlude 7 Tainted Love 8 Just The Two of Us 9 Gold Digger 10 See What's Goin' Down 11 Daily Prayer 12 Life

 

Nhojj – Someday peace love & freedom http://www.nhojj.com/

Self-made producer Nhojj has drawn comparisons to Bob Marley, Prince, Marvin Gaye, Sade, Maxwell, Terence Trent D'Arby, Bobby McFerrin, Tracy Chapman and Stevie Wonder by media. And in 2006, peaked at the #2 position on both the Neo Soul and Healing & Easy Listening NY Myspace Indie Charts, #4 on the Ambient and Roots Music Charts, #5 and #6 on the Jazz and Nu-Jazz Charts respectively with over 50,000 plays. Dubbed "The Voice of Social Conscience" by writer Michael Ornadet of Logo Magazine, it is no wonder people everywhere are grooving and relaxing to this new sound.

Nhojj started singing as a child in Guyana; the native home of his parents, where he performed in churches, on radio programs and eventually for the president. When his father, a church minister moved his family to Trinidad, Nhojj continued to perform, touring the country. At 18, he moved to New York City where he eventually attended New York University earning a B.A. in Economics. With education out of the way, he could devote his time to his true passion - music.

His '01 debut, "I've Been Waiting for You," is a personal diary, documenting his rocky road to self-love. The title track prompted writer Chris Van Loan of MusicDish to suggest "...maybe blessed with musical genius". Music from the album was profiled on Audiofile Radio, which airs on over 125 stations around the world, and featured at The 2002 International Fringe Festival in the award winning play, "The Making of the Black Man."

His '03 sophomore album, "Someday Peace, Love and Freedom" is a reggae-inspired conversation on politics, religion and social injustice. Once again he received praise and top honors from online media sources, garnering the Outstanding Male Recording Nomination at the '04 Outmusic Awards and winning the Best Male Performance at the Fresh Fruit Festival.

In 04 Nhojj released an unplugged performance DVD "An Intimate Evening with Nhojj," filmed by Emmy nominated director Bill Cote and completed a 10-city College Tour. Other performances included opening for Def Jam poet Stacey Ann Chin, Motown Recording Artist Donnie, Pride Festivals in NY, CT, MD, DC, and NJ. Nhojj also performed at the CBGB Gallery, Joe's Pub, Nuyorican Poet's Cafe and Arlene's Grocery.

He also gave free concerts to support the causes and organizations near to his heart - Lifebeat's Hearts and Voices program, YWCA, Theaters Against War, the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Service, 911 Concerts, the Powel Street Addiction Center and co-produced the "Underground to Peace and Unity Concert." Music from the "Underground to Peace and Unity Concert" received radio support from NPR stations around the USA as well as Public, College and Internet Radio around the world.

In '05 Nhojj recorded, "Coming Home" a tribute to the hymns, anthems and inspirational music that laid the foundation for him as a musician. In support of this project, he completed a five-month, 26-city, 41-church tour that took him to England, Canada, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Trinidad, Guyana and the U.S.A; and performed with Altino Concert Choral at The Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center. The only original composition on the CD "A Song for Mother;" received honorable mention at the 13th Annual Billboard Song Contest.

Review: - bit different for me but this album is very much one for the right mood, it is warm , peaceful and realaxing drawing influences from the world of poetry, acoustic, conversation, soul, reggae, dub and spiritual.

 

Lyrically or poetically Nhojj deals with issues, is a peaceful yet strong way, injustice, politics, love – intimate and global, all set against a light dubby, or acoustic sound. There is despair but ultimately hope. Someday Peace Love and Freedom. We all hope so.

 

Tracks: -1 Hold on 2 Free 3 Peace 4 What r u begging for? 5 The Beggar's Cup 6 Fighting for Love (The Warrior's Song) 7 Lost/Found 8 U 9 I Miss You 10 Love Again 11 A New Me 12 Someday

 

Deniece Williams – Love Niecy Style www.shanachie.com

Deniece Williams returns after a ten-year absence with a collection of contemporary classics, including re-workings of a couple of her own hit songs. For this momentous occasion, Deniece called upon some of the artists who have been instrumental throughout her career: Stevie Wonder, George Duke and Philip Bailey and produced by Bobby Eli.

 

Review: - bit of a backlash in some quarters here in the UK at least over new albums consisting entirely of reworking of old classics. Maybe in a lot of cases that is justified, maybe even here, but what you get here is a wonderfully produced album and some classy vocals, a reminder of that Niecy uniqueness that there  is in her vocal stylings.  This therefore is not exactly cutting edge, but hey, most people just want to pick up a CD, put in on, enjoy it and get lost in it, without any need whatsoever for any critique.

 

And indeed there is an underlying quality in all this, you can just play it, in any order, and lose yourself in its inherent beauty for a while.  No tracks to skip, nothing out of ‘scheme’ just really really nice.  Is that good or is that bad, duno really, but I think we all need or have those moments when this CD will fit perfectly.


Tracks:
1. That's How Heartaches Are Made
2. Love's Holiday
3. This Time I'll Be Sweeter
4. If You Really Love Me
5. Someday We'll All Be Free
6. Cherish
7. Love Me (One More Time)
8. The Only Thing Missing Is You
9. Never Too Much
10. Cause You Love Me Baby

 

 

UltraNate – Grime Silk Thunder www.grimesilkandthunder.com www.ultranate.com

 

Grime, Silk & Thunder may serve as the ideal if intriguing title of Ultra Naté’s new disc, but something along the lines of Resilience, Regal and Real could best describe her well-established position in pop and dance music.

Ever since Ultra released the internationally renowned deep house classic, “It’s Over Now” with the esteemed Basement Boys in 1989, which led to her equally eminent debut album, Blue Notes in the Basement (Warner Bros., 1991), Ultra has been a perennial force in dance music, regardless of idiomatic styles. Considering the ephemeral nature of dance/electronica music (e.g. Hot today, gone tomorrow), Naté’s endurance attests to her musical acumen.

She attributes solid songwriting and being a true artist, as opposed to an anonymous voice, to her longevity. “I’m a songwriter. I’ve written about 95 percent of my material,” Naté explains. “In that music, there’s a very specific personality that comes across, which really transcends the dance-floor moment and becomes a part of people’s lives.” Ultra’s music not only “transcends the dance-floor moment,” it traverses various styles. Next to her instantly recognizable husky voice, her sheer versatility serves as a high trump card. On Grime, Silk & Thunder, she covers the waterfront of pop, club and DJ culture, ranging from glittery, anthemic, crystal ball swirling gems like “Give It All You Got,” “Star,” and a revisited Naté classic “Scandal” to the technosoul of the Pointer Sisters cover “Automatic” and the bouncy, electro pop ode to her new son, Izaya with“Falling” to seductive, R&B-inflected midtempo joints like “Feel Love,” “This House” and an inspired makeover of her breakthrough single, “It’s Over Now.” Ultra admirably channels early-’80s club reggae (think Sly & Robbie’s work with Grace Jones and Gwen Guthrie) on “Love’s the Only Drug” (which simultaneously alludes to the legendary Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte), “Lethal Shot” and “Slow Grind” then effortlessly channels vintage Philadelphia International soul with the Teddy Pendergrass’ inspired “Getaway.”

With all its stylistic variety, Grime, Silk & Thunder proceeds like a bona fide album versus a collection of unrelated singles. Naté and longtime manager and co-producer Bill Coleman also made a conscientious decision to ensure that each song showcased Ultra’s distinct and varied personalities but were state of the dancefloor. “I definitely wanted it to be a DJ-oriented record, because people are really checking for the DJ-ready songs. There’s a possibility to play every track on the album in various club atmospheres or on the radio,” she says.

Naté and Coleman also recruited an international cadre of A-list producers alongside some very talented newcomers.The 14-song collection features contributions from the likes of Eric Kupper, Quentin Harris, Dajae, Andre Levin (Yerba Buena), Mood II Swing, N’Dea Davenport (Brand New Heavies), Morgan Page, 2007 Grammy nominees GoodandEvil (Naty Botero), The Muthafunkas, Double Deuce, Funky Junction, Chris Willis (David Guetta) and Jens Bergmark. The legendary StoneBridge not only produced the infectious international club and Top 10 pop hit “Freak On” but mixed the entire album. As stated before, Naté is no mere ingénue singer; she was hands-on in the production of all of the tracks, particularly the studio wizardry of her voice. “As an artist, you really want to grow. I know my musical abilities and I’m trying to expand upon them. All of these songs went through many stages of evolution,” Naté.

When asked about the new disc’s provocative title, Ultra again illustrates her enormous musical swath by mentioning the heroic ’90s grunge band Nirvana. “The idea came from a Rolling Stone magazine article about Nirvana’s first record,” she says. “They said Nevermind was a great mix of grime, silk and thunder. That’s a real cool concept of what a record should really be about. In relationship to me, it had an elemental feeling, kind of like earth, wind and fire but in an edgier form.”

Naté’s edgy artistry at once recalls the fierceness of Grace Jones, the sensuality of Donna Summer and the riot girl soulfulness of Nona Hendryx. Adding more ammunition to Ultra, the singer, songwriter and producer, is being a DJ. She’s been manning DJ booths for about five years and has secured DJ-ing gigs in Australia, Montreal, Brazil and France. Every Friday night in Baltimore, she hosts her popular party, Sugar at the famed hotspot Club 1722.

The residency at Club 1722 is very close to Ultra, because Baltimore is her home town, where she first came in contact with the club scene. While in college, she intended on pursuing a career in medicine. But one life-alternating night at Baltimore’s O’Dells changed that. “I had never really been exposed to nightclub life until I went to this club. The energy was so powerful and incredible! It was just a completely overwhelming experience. I was immediately addicted,” she recalls. At O’Dells, Naté met producer Thomas Davis (who reunites here with Ultra on the song “Falling”), formerly of the Basement Boys, who were in search of various singers to accompany their house tracks. The first song Ultra recorded with them was “It’s Over Now,” which first spread throughout the underground deep house scene, from Baltimore to Tony Humphries in New Jersey and New York City to across the Atlantic with Norman Jay in London. The song became a global phenomenon that led to Ultra being signed to Warner Bros. in the U.K.

1991’s Blue Notes in the Basement kicked off Naté’s career as an artist who could deliver albums as opposed to a string of singles. Songs like “Deeper Love” and “Rejoicing” became instant DJ staples. Her follow-up Warner Bros. album, One Woman’s Insanity (1994) also garnered critical praise, thanks to its club smashes, “How Long” “Joy” and “Show Me.” Ultra’s following two albums, Situation Critical (1998) and Stranger Than Fiction (2001) were released on the venerable Strictly Rhythm label, both of which solidified her reputation as an enduring songstress and a platinum selling artist with radio, video and club favorites such as, the now-classic “Free,” “Found A Cure”, “Desire”, “Twisted” and “Divine Love.” Contributions to films such as the cult mainstay “Party Girl” (Ultra wrote and performed its title theme) and ‘54’ (Ultra along with Amber and Jocelyn Enriquez ushered in the soundtrack’s hit single “If You Could Read My Mind” ) continue to endear fans around the globe.

Over the last 16 years, Ultra has had the fortune of working with an array of acclaimed and varied producers / collaborators and visual artists including such luminaries as Nellee Hooper, Masters At Work, David Lachapelle, Lenny Kravitz, Deee-lite, Murlyn Music, Blaze, Eric Johnson, Armand Van Helden, Charles Stone, Soulshock, Cutfather and Karlin, Nona Hendryx, Dah-Len, the Berman Brothers, 4 Hero, Bart Everly, Attica Blues, D-Influence, Brooklyn Funk Essentials, World Of Wonder and Robert Clivilles.

The sparkling Grime, Silk & Thunder, Naté’s fifth album, amounts to another benchmark in that its released, in partnership with Tommy Boy Records, on her own boutique imprint, Blufire. In an era of 15-minute divas, the album is an apt and passionate portrait of a remarkable, versatile singer, songwriter, producer, who’s survived the cutthroat music business by being resilient, regal and real.

www.ultranate.com | www.grimesilkandthunder.com | www.myspace.com/ultranatemusic | www.sugarparty.org | www.peacebisquit.com | www.tommyboy.com | www.crookedfellas.com

 

Review

 

(BluFire/Tommy Boy/Silver Label)
Produced by Ultra Naté, Stonebridge, Jens Bergmark, Eric Kupper, Quentin Harris, Low Frequency Occupation, DJ Pope, Chris Willis, Craig C., Morgan Page, The Muthafunkas, East West Connection, GoodandEvil, Mood II Swing, Funky Junction & SplashFunk, Louie Balo, Double Deuce, Bill Coleman, Andres Levin

The opener Loosely Based On, has a sort of chilled trancy moody feel, bordering on Drum and base on the percussive side.  Love's The Only Drug, is full on old skool Hi NRg disco.  Freak On is Chic disco with an electro edge, a great track too by the way.  So where are we going with this, a fantastic journey through club and disco music from the 70’s through to todays house music.

 

Give It All You Got featuring Chris Willis, still disco but with a rockier edge.  Scandal, to me is more straightforward, strong straightforward disco beats, allowing the vocals to be stronger.  Moving forward into house with those echoey vocals in the mix, the version of Automatic, takes us to popular Ibeza or somewhere like that.

 

Slow Grind, brings it down with a reggae vibe, and personally one of my favourite cuts.  Back up with Falling, another twist, bit of gospel.  Getaway featuring Dajae, is also a top track, super fast but good vocals.  Feel Love, is my top track, less frantic, instrumentation is more real, with some nice guitar and sax breaks, percussive,.

 

More reggae ish grooves on a bass heavy percussive, almost spoken Lethal Shot. More straightforward disco house on an anthemic Star (It's Showtime). 

This House, is back to the groove of the opening track, more chilled . It's Over Now reminds me a bit of her ‘Medicine.’

 

Great fun, not sure about the depth, but there will always be a place on any night out for at least one of these tracks, they never let up.

 

Tracks: - Loosely Based On, Love's The Only Drug ,Freak On, Give It All You Got featuring Chris Willis, Scandal, Automatic, Slow Grind, Falling, Getaway featuring Dajae ,Feel Love, Lethal Shot ,Star (It's Showtime) ,This House, It's Over Now

 

Gwen Miller – Phases of love Vol 1 http://www.gwen-miller.net/

 

 

 

“Singing is like giving myself up to the song. It’s like opening a door and allowing the song to exit out of my heart.” These are the words of Gwen Miller, a fresh, new singer/songwriter who is about to make her mark in the soul/gospel music scene. Gwen Miller’s eclectic, soulful singing style was fabricated in the rural areas of Poplar Grove, Arkansas. Gwen’s explosive style was influenced by such artists as Isaac Hayes, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight, Donny Hathaway, and Roberta Flack.

After teaching in Arkansas, she decided to fully pursue her dream to become a performer, so her talents could touch souls. Prompted by her faith in God, she moved to New York and began to launch her music career. Over the years that followed, Gwen diligently wrote and recorded songs. She also has performed at several venues around the city such as the Village Underground and the Sugar Bar .

In order to understand Gwen, you must know a little about her family life. Love, laughter, music, and also heartache were the threads that connected Gwen’s family quilt. A household of eight children that was linked together by a mother’s love and a father’s determination pieced together Gwen Miller’s vibrant personality and persevering spirit. As an outlet, Gwen began to sing and write music. “Singing and writing songs became a form of escape, it became a connection, a serenity between me and God”, says this dynamic singer.

One thing Gwen believes about music is that the first chord, the first word, the performance, the entire song as a whole should pierce into the heart. In summary, what comes from the heart touches the heart. This is how Gwen approaches singing. She has grabbed the attention of her audience by embracing any song that she performs with emotionally driven, raw soul.

Gwen Miller is truly an amazing woman who is filled with passion for life, people, and music. Her desire is to share this passion with others across the world. So, with her dream and purpose in her heart, Gwen Miller is determined to persevere until she accomplishes and surpasses the dream that God has placed in the depths of her soul.

 

Review:- I had the pleasure of meeting Gwen recently and she gave me the album, and whilst this only is a taster with 7 tracks it is properly done with proper musians, nicely packaged and produced……and the music is not bad too!

 

In particular the first two tracks are highly rated (by me!) I Miss You is an emotive ballad of lost love that builds into a powerful ending.  What Happened? is a sultry bluesy number and is my top track.  Both tracks have strong lyrics , are powerfully and soulfully delivered and tracks of attention regardless of whether you like new or old soul music, as these tracks transcends all barriers.

 

The remaining tracks in my view are not quite as strong but they show variety and talent. Show Me How has some good vocal, choral harmonies, quite church-ified (if that’s a word!) but not overtly gospel.   Move On is funkier bit harder and more upbeat, yet is textured with quite a soft chorus.  All In Time initially is just piano and vocal, but th etrack builds layers and grows into something of an epic ballad. 

You Are My Child is simply piano and vocals but is a deeply strong and personal song.

 

In summary an album I liked very much and certainly I hope that Gwen gets enough out of this one to enable her to move onwards and upwards.

 

Tracks: - 1 I Miss You 2 What Happened? 3 Show Me How 4 Move On 5 All In Time 6 You Are My Child 7 Outro

 

Envy – Every Anything http://www.everyanything.com/

 

 

Info:It has been said that music is an extension of human nature. everyANYTHING is nurturing a new sound that aims to change the way people think about music. How rare it is to find five distinct voices that are all multi-instrumentalists that write and sing. Each member draws from their unique perspective for inspiration using echoes of jazz, blues, funk and soul to weave their rhythms and lyrics into a sultry mixture.

Born in NYC, Jose Cantu (guitar), Lionel Sanchez (keyboards and percussion), Nelson Pinero (guitar) and Irving Sanchez (bass) were schoolmates who started writing and producing their own songs under the name of Funk Stew Productions. They listened to everyone from The Police to Prince, Bjork to Nina Simone. Fusing the musical elegance of generations past has resulted in an eclectic and extensive catalogue.

Meanwhile, in Brooklyn, Achuziam Maha (lead vocals) was singing with a funk group called Funklectic Lion. After opening for Groove Collective at New Music Cafe and playing Webster Hall, she decided to spread her wings. Upon meeting the members of Funk Stew at a Maxwell concert, the five began collaborating. A few songs later, it was decided that they become everyANYTHING.

everyANYTHING has performed at the Knitting Factory, CB's Gallery, Canal Room, Tribeca Rock Club (w/Jon Cleary), Southpaw (w/Radio Mundial), Don Hill's, Continental, Le Bar Bat, Crash Mansion (w/Caron Wheeler), B.B. King Blues Club & Grill and SOB's.

Jazz pianist Randy Weston wrote, "the heart is the first instrument that man became aware of". After all, whether on stage or on recordings, it is more than just music and words. Music is about expressing everyANYTHING, a moniker that encompasses everything that they as individual artists stand for and anything that they will eventually become.

 

Review: - was introduced to Lionel in New York, and he gave me the CD, met up with him and Chuz subsequently in London, as they were over with Shelley Nicole’s BlaKbushe. I was told that this was something different and didn’t fall into the usual boxes, which is indeed the case. As you can see in the intro the influences and backgrounds come from far and wide and all this is fused together into an eclectic mix.

 

Devours Me starts dirge slow and builds into a wild climax before reverting back for the conclusion.  Pretty again is mellow and relaxed, but Achuziam’s vocals are sweet and strong.  It’s all very relaxed and good to chill to, yet its not ‘chill’ music, the vocals whilst they are controlled and never let rip, add a soulful edge to it.

 

This Is Where We Play is one of my favourites, slightly more upbeat, it of a latin tinge to it.  Saved Up is funkier and more percussive. Only The Lonely is evocative and touching. Good To You is pretty much just guitar and vocals, reminding a lost one of good times, good moments, wow a great track, excuse me while I pick myself up!!!!

 

Joga is as ‘up ‘ as it gets and it is what is required after the depths of the last track.

 

The album is downbeat, moody, deep and emotional and in those momentsworks, well produced and different, and carving its own niche rather than jumping on any bandwagon.

 

Mena – LiViNG my life http://menasvision.com/

 

 

Me'na dubs Canton, Ohio her home. An area steeped with tradition. With a host of eclectic entertainers hailing from the area. Walter Williams, James Ingram, Howard Hewitt, and Macy Gray. Just to have your name associated with these individuals is an achievement within itself. She temporarily put aside her musical aspirations and focused on raising her family. Me’na a power company executive was stricken with a rare congenital brain condition called A.V.M. she states “it was a bomb exploding in my head!” Surviving two brain surgeries, and a lengthy recovery. After the storm. She promised the Savior, to lift her voice in praise, and give God the glory!!

Me’na was introduced to a Cleveland based musical production team of the late Douglas Green, and Nathaniel Rhodes. The team took on the task of honing her Vocal, and acting abilities. The collaboration led to her debut at the prestigious Karamu Theater in “NO NIGGERS, NO JEWS, NO DOGS”. Her voice drove the productions soundtrack to great musical heights. She also did a stint as Anne Wiggins Brown in the musical “GERSHWIN BY GEORGE”. This operatic piece tested her abilities to its fullest. Which garnered critical acclaim!

Then the vocalist channeled all of her energies into the completion of her debut CD. With the aid of visionary Nathaniel Rhodes, and the exceptional Bill Ransom as producers. Who decided to go with the live acoustical sound. The journey had begun. “Living My Life” is a collection of songs that convey a wide range of emotions. From the sensual “I Of The Storm”. The poignant “Time”. Me’na penned the introspective title track “Living My Life”. The inspirational “Journey Begins With You”. The melancholy “Stooped” is about an unintelligent situation. Some well loved standards “Summertime”, “Down By The River”, and “My Funny Valentine”. Whether near a pulpit, or under concert lights. Her dedication is unparalleled. Realizing she is blessed! Angels have certainly set her free. Me’na is definitely “Living Her Life”. MENASVISION.COM/1-866-509-4654 or
www.myspace.com/menasvision

 

Review:-

A deep and sensual, emotive and poignant collection of songs, mostly downbeat and jazzy, yet full of soul, largely acoustic or live sounding with a real band.  All together it is a fine collection of own songs with some standards thrown in.  The whole vibe and delivery sets a scene, a picture in your imagination of what Meena’s show would be like, and having been fortunate to see a video (though sadly not a real life show – yet!), I can confirm that this picture is true to real life!

 

The Intro Infinity & I of the Storm sets the scene with a sultry, moody , jazzy piece.  P.I.A. (Plan In Action) is as upbeat as it gets, with a catchy hook and some fine horns, a great track worthy of attention.  Home 2 Me takes in back down, with a piano lead and vocals of clarity and more upfront.

 

Summertime is a classy version of the Gershwin standard with some fine sax work.  Down By The River is the Neil Young song and has a rockier edge. Later realy sets the mood, live with opening monologue, Mena sure can deliver a song.

 

The title track is funkier, well has funky guitars, still slow and soulful Living My Life in fact reminds me of ill Scotts olden, thugh that might just be because of the Living my life hook, great track though.  Deja View  is again a very mellow and moody jazz ballad, with monologue and play on words,  and its about time we gave credit to Nathaniel Rhodes and Bill Ranson for a fine job on production, and indeed the band in general, and in particular great guitar and sax interplayon this track .

 

My Funny Valentine continues wit the last of the standards.  The standard just does not slip. The album may not be cutting edge in terms of current day trends, but it is consistent and strong and therefore very much has a place in todays music. Journey Begins With You with piano and flute mainly on a melodic warm ballad. Different nuances on the vocal on Stoopid , still jazzy but hints of, but not quite so pronounced, Badu in there.  Time is a very nice smooth soul ballad.

 

A very fine jazzy and soulful album

 

Tracks: - 1 Intro Infinity & I of the Storm 2 P.I.A. (Plan In Action) 3 Home 2 Me 4 Summertime 5 Down By The River 6 Later 7 Living My Life 8 Deja View 9 My Funny Valentine 10 Journey Begins With You 11 Stoopid 12 Time