MODERN SOUL and R'n'B REVIEWS
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Joy Denalane – Born and Raised RobertAnton - Insane Soulchoonz prsents the Nu Vintage Soul Connection Anthony Dixon – All outta words Kokoh - Meltdown |
Soulvibe presents In the Groove DeVyne – Songs from my Soul June April Sandy Dennison - Jazzed |
DeVyne – Songs from my Soul http://www.myspace.com/souldevyne www.overplay.com/devyne
“A young artist from
Thanx for all those who played and rated Man Makes the Money, making it the
winning song. These are some comments from the Music Insiders
The grizzled old-school blues vocal may turn everything sepia within a
five-mile radius, but this is an edgy modern jam that combines the insight and
dexterity of Gil Scott-Heron with the soulful grooves of Blackstreet. -
overplay
Although not my cup of tea. Has a great vibe and is
very organically produced. Good track - EPIC
Distinctive vocal and unusual song. Like Outkast meets no diggity. -
Fiction/Polydor
Very professional sound, good message and a really good vibe. It swaggers up
close and nudges you to get up and get dancing. Good stuff !
- Modern Management
Characteristic chorus, memorable and easy to listen to - We Are
Listening”
review: -
5 track album from DeVyne a
Seven Weeks is more Wyclef with his vocal
style and Caribean influences. City of
Love must be tough (to be love) s more of a
song, acoustic, which I find easier to warm to.
Not an album I particularly warm to but I am
happy to give some profile to UK based talent for people to make their own
minds about, it is different, quite charismatic, and unusual, but not really
for me.
Tracks: - Man makes the money, Seven Weeks,
City of
June April –
click picture to buy
YOU UNDERSTAND THE VERY FIRST TIME YOU HEAR
HER VOICE. Soft yet intense. At times pretty and
melodic; at times raw and urging. Her vocal tone instantly captivates you, like
a person you just met and five minutes into the conversation you realize
you’re kindred spirits. Her musings hearken to a rich tradition while
fulfilling the promise of an innovative future. This God-given voice belongs to
a gifted, energetic, woman from the village of
“I remember when I was 8 years old and there was at a Harlem Jazz
festival on
Her immersion into her craft led to Classical and Jazz music studies at
The seeds of her musical apprenticeship blossom richly on her full-length
debut, “What Am I?” “I want to have a conversation about the
complexities of life, and what truly satisfies the human soul.” Indeed,
“What Am I?” presents brilliantly arranged hymns and vibrant,
original material. While rooted in traditional Jazz, the project also draws
influences from June April’s Costa Rican roots,
“Tick, Tock” features an infectious Neo-Soul groove. “I used
to teach in the NYC pubic schools and I thought about all the talent those kids
have. I want them to use their time wisely so they can reach their
potential.” The title track, “What Am I?” redefines the term “power
ballad”. It is a soaring, deeply affecting examination of life; it’s true purpose and meaning. You will hear the
question you’ve asked yourself time and time again. “Fear vs.
Faith” is a joyous, musical feast filled with incredible, nourishing
performances from some of the best young Jazz musicians in NYC.
“Hey, I’m not perfect and I don’t take myself so seriously. I
laugh at myself sometimes when I make a mistake. It’s
okay, God is still in charge.” June April’s faith, passion and
optimism are evident throughout this project. The artist-turned-business
executive will be working the concert stage, radio airwaves and the Internet in
support of her new label. An avid vegetarian, she encourages her audience to
explore the healthier slice of life on her website.
Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Producer, Activist. Her name is June April – To
God be the Glory!
Review – Sadly at the moment I only have a promo of the three top tracks fear vs faith,
Tick Tock an Weeping Mary. These tracks are quality and leaving me wanting for
more, the tracks are excellently produced by Teddy Crockett, and the vocals on
these inspirational Jazz tracks is sublime.. fear vs faith is a
jazz delight with fine musicianship and a clarity of singing which is rarely
see.
Tick tock is more neo soul I suppose, more
spoken kind of vocal, kind of Badu-esque, with a sweet trumpet punching in .
Jazz to soul to gospel, with Weeping
Mary, but still heavily in jazz territory.
Tracks - 1 Dont' Let This
RobertAnton - Insane
Robert Anton is back with the funky follow-up
to his inspirational Christmas CD. Yes, this prolific writer, and iconic performer,
is again showing his versatility by bringing you more to dance to and more
reasons to get your groove on.
From the heart and soul of an artist comes joyful sounds
to make you tap your feet and bounce your bum. Starting with the memory-evoking
‘Dancin All Night’ to the laid back lounge feel of ‘Lieblings
Herr’; you’ll find your toes tapping, your fingers snapping, your
pulse racing, and your heart sighing. Why? This brother has a voice that could
melt chocolate and a sound all his own.
“I wrote these songs because I felt them in my soul”. Amen brother.
We can feel it too. The CD is called ‘Insane’ and the title track
is just that: a journey through the mind of a man who has given over his heart
and soul, and his very being, to love. Love will lead
you places, and Robert is anxious to share the journey. From beginning to end,
it’s a celebration of all things human and divine.
‘Insane’ is another playAnton production that you’ll want to
keep close at hand for life, for love, forever. Pick it up at CDbaby.com and
all Robert Anton performances.
Artist bio:
Robert Anton has been “singing since he was a thought”, or so his
grandmother would tell you, and she should know. He grew up singing with
choirs, quartets, and soloists at the pentecostal
church where his grandma was the pastor. Not only did this instill in him a
deep spiritual love of music and performing, it also gave him the courage to
find his true calling at an early age. By the time Robert was a pre-teen, he
knew music would be his life.
Consequently he went on to study music at the Cleveland School of Arts and
Since then, he has toured and performed in over 10 countries and 150 cities in
various shows and with headlining performers like Miki, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong,
Renoly Santiago, Altrina Grayson, and Lisa Nicole-Carson. Robert was also seen
as a finalist on ‘It’s Showtime at the Apollo’ with Steve
Harvey.
Now Robert has embarked on a solo recording career and is celebrating his third
indie CD release through his own company, playAnton productions, Inc. He also
has a single out on Vinyl, 'Can You See Me', released by Souvent Records of
Paris (not Georgia), France.
"I feel so blessed to be able to Follow My Dreams."
Review:- A very good album containing some good vocal
house and some good soulful R’n’B.
Dancin All Night kicks of at a pace with a very
strong track both vocally and dance wise.Echoey deep vocals and swirling
arrangement. Insane the title track is a pick cut for me and one
that I featured on the Juice a few months back, slow, atmospheric and moody.
Hey
(The Diamond Dance) is pretty formulaic and Dancehall
orientated. Like
Breath To Me continues the alternatiion between dance and
soul, this being a fine duet (can’t remember who with although I’m sure
Robert told me- sorry!).
Showing more versatility on Dirty
Blues which is Rocky and Bluesy. Blessed and Spoiled is a
nice track, ok for the dancefloor but not full on house, few old skool features
and that rich deep vocal, perhaps in need of a bit of polish but I like it.
Ever
Since (You Gone Away) takes a lot both
vocally and lyrically from Bill Withers.
Can You See Me cranks it up again, a house
track, more moody with the vocals laid back a bit
relying more on a (very nice) groove. Como
Se Dice also has a very nice relaxed groove.
Tracks: -1 Dancin
All Night 2 Let It Loose (interlude) 3 Insane 4 Hey
(The Diamond Dance) 5 Like
Breath To Me 6 Dirty
Blues 7 Blessed and Spoiled
8 Ever
Since (You Gone Away) 9 Ever Since (nstrmntl) 10 Can
You See Me 11 Como Se Dice 12 Lieblings
Herr 13 Dancing All Night (rehot remix)
Kokoh – Meltdown http://www.myspace.com/kokohsongstress
click image t
The mere act of surviving on a day to day
basis is the foundation from which a true artist builds her craft.
Multi-talented KOKOH is no exception to this rule. Her dynamic vocal styling
and stirring songs creatively reflects the ups and downs of her life
experiences. A crafty blend of sensual soul is KOKOH's vibrant first time
tour-de-force.
To understand where KOKOH is right now is just half the equation. The other
half lies in where she came from: this artist possesses a unique history. The
daughter of two musicians, KOKOH was born in the heart of
At the age of 19 KOKOH started and headlined her own jazz band, which caught
the eye of label executives. KOKOH was able to record one album under the RCA
label, but unfortunately due to the climate of the entertainment industry, the
label could not put out the album and the world lost out on a dynamic
performer. Magic had already happened and all was not lost. Leon Ware wrote and
produced most of the project. The “Sire of Soul” who gave us songs
such as: “I Want You”- Marvin Gaye; “Inside My Love”-
Minnie Riperton; “Sumthin’ Sumthin’”-Maxwell &
“I Know It’s You”- Donny Hathaway, still has the
“right” ingredients. These two soul sapiens came together and
stirred up things with songs like “How Far Can We Go”, it’s
the hit single from her debut album “Meltdown”. This cut has
seduced its’ way to the
Not affected by the state of the entertainment industry, KOKOH's musical
development exploded and she began channeling her energy into writing and
producing her own music. KOKOH moved away from her jazzy sounds and developed a
new sound of soulful alternative rock. Only to return safely
and soulfully home. Although this cd is her first she is no newcomer to
the industry. Kokoh has shared the stage with artists such as Charlie Wilson
& The Gap Band; Kieth Sweat; Christopher Williams; Norwood Young and others
as a backup singer. Kokoh even had the honor to share her “own”
stage & band with the legendary Phyllis Hyman. Since no label has welcomed
her with open arms due to the “hype” on other genres of music.
Kokoh feels her sound is “overlooked” but will never settle for
being “under heard”.
Kokoh’s personal appeal and ability to reach a listener is a part of her
whole package: a package that includes, most importantly, her distinctive
vocals and a relaxed singing style. As well as her entrancing
& captivating stage eloquence. Kokoh pulls on your pulse as she
performs. It is as though she is speaking to you as she sings in a very
intimate manner. These songs are coming straight from the heart and soul.
Genuine and honest, KOKOH's music is a step in a new direction: a trajectory that
will lead us on a delightfully fulfilling path of pleasurable soul.
Review - This set kicks off with a terrific
ballad, For the Tender, sultry and very strong
vocally. How Far
Can We Go has tinges of 80’s old skool, but again is delivered
well and is strong ballad. I Get Weak
fares slightly less favourably in my view. Speechless
however picks it back up again with a smooth offering taking us to the cream
that is That Takes Me to Heaven, which together with the
opening track are the top two cuts.
Heaven is deeper, again with an old skool feel, which may have something
to do wi the the writing and production of Leon Ware – this is very much
in classic ballad territory, building up to a climactic ending.
Too Close to the Fire continues in the downbeat
lounge, sultry, sexy and soulful, and Kokoh’s vocals on here come in two
different styles it almost sounds like a duet!
Meltdown also in the same mood and like the myspace page says
Buy the Cd and Birth Control! Quality guest also on the album is th esax of Gerald Albright.
The final two tracks I Fell
in Love and Assurance are the only two non Leon Ware
productions, th eformer being totally different than
the rest in that it is acoustic and Spanish in style. Assurance is also acoustic, vocally strong , somehow sounding stronger on the acoustic
production but overall not quite as strong a song as earlier.
A very enjoyable CD, vocally very
strong and two standout tracks.
tracks - 1 For the
Tender 2 How Far
Can We Go 3 I Get Weak 4 Speechless
5 That
Takes Me to Heaven 6 Too Close to the Fire 7 Meltdown 8 I Fell
in Love
Click
picture to buy
Info - “Over the highways and through the hood, singer/songwriter
Stanley James has weathered the toughest of times in order to follow the
musical path his heart has set. His passion flows like a raging river not only
through all of the music he creates, but in the methodical marketing avenues
he’s come up with to get that music heard – be it to the public or
power brokers in the music business.
“Being boxed in would be too limiting for me and totally
unacceptable,” he states. “I do neo soul, hip hop, rock, you name
it. There’s nothing new under the sun. It’s about how you present
and reinvent yourself, making the familiar fresh for a new generation.”
A prime example of that methodology can be heard in his sexy ballad
"Nobody but You," which finds him pulling from the familiar yet very
different sources of Prince, Bone Thugs-n-harmony and Usher to make the
ultimate bedroom slow jam. “The first time I performed it,”
Don’t think the man can’t rock a party now…because before he
even started singing, he was a flashy street dancer. His strongest calling card
is his spellbinding abilities as a stage performer. He knows what he’s
singing about on “Old School Party,” a song he co-wrote with Motown
veteran and Little Dizzy Records CEO Michael Sutton.
Stanley James has been singing since 6th grade. He started in the Baptist
church where his Grandmother Betty Williams was a soloist. “She loved Sam
Cooke and Otis Redding,”
Though he is primarily self-taught, he took a few lessons from renowned vocal
coach, Lena McLin. After a few lessons she sent him on his way. “You are
a star waiting to be discovered. Remember what I told you and you’ll do
fine.” Citing his most influential singers as serious crossover soul
crooners Jeffrey Osborne and Peabo Bryson,
That approach came in handy once he joined the army and found himself stationed
in
Most poignant of
For Stanley James, persistence has paid off. He landed opening spots for 702
and Montell Jordan. He has performed for the Honorable Bishop Desmond Tutu at
the African Children’s Fund annual banquet in
Review – Great to see
Those
Other Cats has a warm mellow
quality and infectious hook and is a quality summer groove. Fantasy
features Nymrod, and takes us into R’n’B Hip hop territory which is
Ok but for me tracks like this are overshadowed by th elikes of Nobody
But U which is a simple yet melodic ballad. Alternating confidently between styles Blame
Ya'll is more R’n’B again, and Please
Don't Go is another ballad.
Don't
Take It Personal is one of the tracks that is
getting plays in the
In The Rain has it too so I don’t think its
necessarily production.
Old
School Party is another stepper which
A well rounded and varied album delivered in
Tracks - Like
Yeah Those Other Cats Fantasy
Nobody
But U Blame Ya'll Please
Don't Go Don't Take It Personal Never
Meant To Hurt You Starting
With You
In
The Rain Old School Party Immature
My
Mama (Thank God) Full Circle
Joy Denalane – Born and Raised http://www.nesola.de/ http://www.myspace.com/joydenalanemusic
Release date 18 June 2007 – this album
has been around for ages, and I don’t know what the story is, I thought
it was coming out on a major. Whatever
it is now out , and I would urge anyone to get it. It
has received some criticism (in the UK) from the purists but I reckon
it’s a top album, adnd I still find it fresh after first hearing it must
be nearly a year ago now.
There are excellent collaborations with top
names, slow , bluesy and soulful ballads, upbeat
R’n’B, and they are all good.
The ballsy ballad Be Real is a top emotional ballad. I have been playing
Heaven and Hell particularly for a good while now. For the love is maybe my favourite track, or
maybe the duet with Governor
but the album is pretty consistent and strong throughout.
Now when I first heard this it was on the back
of Amy and Joss mania, and when John Legend was being driven into a corner
(artisticly) by his label (or seemingly so at any rate), ie major label
contrivation is what I called it! I held this album out as being kind of from
the same direction but a much better example – I even mentioned it to
several US people and artists because this topice was all of a buzz when I was
over there. Most people hadn’t
heard of Joy, but I have received subsequent feedback that I was right!
Soulchoonz presents the Nu Vintage Soul
Connection http://www.soulchoonz.com/Featured_Artists/Nu_Vintage.html
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Kimia Collins - Your Only |
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Lisa Bell - Tell Me Why |
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Kayte Burgess - Now You Know - NV Remix |
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Wade O'Brown - So Glad - NV Remix |
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Michelle Tavares - Wanna Be |
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Nu Vintage - Da Funk Interlude |
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Michelle Tavares - I Need Your Lovin' |
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Alana Bridgewater - Deception |
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Kate Bowen - Been So Long |
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Kayte Burgess - Happy ft Spirid - NV Remix |
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Ian Martin - Movin' On - NV Beat Remix |
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All the details of the project can be found at the above link
along with purchase details. NuVintage is essentially a production company, and
an outlet for appropriate independent artists, all captured lovingly on this
release from our friends at Soulchoonz.
Generally this is an excellent compilation ,
well above average, and Soulchoonz and NuVintage should be applauded for making
this available. Of course not all tracks
on any compilation will hit everybody’s personal spot, but I am certain
that any soul or R’n’B lover will love at list a few, and
appreciate to some degree the rest.
Kimia Collins - Your Only
is a track that we are playing at our Soulfreedom events, instant bouncy and
dancefloor friendly. There are some
lovely nuances to Lisa Bell’s vocal on Tell Me Why, and the track maybe
not as instant as the first track is a grower, above a fairly sparse
production.
Kayte Burgess will probably be known above
some of the other acts and her Now You Know affords a NV Remix which is
interesting conceptually but personally I’m not feeling. Lorraine Reid’s All Lies is a nice
R’n’B track with good chorus and a nice feel but I am finding that
the drum patterns are way too clinical or false and without warmth and depth
and it irritates me somewhat. Think it
was this that put me off the previous track as well.
Wade O'Brown is a fantastic vocalist and one
of the best around over the last few years on the indie scene, and this is no
exception- So Glad - NV Remix. Anything
remotely like Jaheim, Lyfe Jennings and so on I really like and this falls into
that bag.
Michelle Tavares - Wanna Be is another top
track fuzing all kinds of influences, driven along by a persistent beat but I
Need Your Lovin' eclipses that to come up with the top track of the album and
vocally stronger than her first track, and huge disco influences.
In terms of pure vocal prowess Alana
Bridgewater is probably the strongest on the album but on Deception, despite
its promising start, doesn’t really develop into anything special. Kate Bowen - Been So Long stands strong
because of it’s minimalist yet funky production.
Kayte Burgess returns with a far better track Happy ft Spirid again a NV Remix. Not to keen on the Remix
of Ian Martin’s Movin on.
Anthony Dixon – All outta words
Soulvibe presents In
the Groove
This Cd arrived unanounced without any press
release, and the first thing that struck me was that there was no contact details
at all on the package, other than our good friend Roger Williams at Soulsorts
who designed the package. I honestly
thought it was a bootleg! I now now that
it’s the new label driven by Nigel Bird formerly behind Café de Soul, and
some of the contacts made through that venture reappear on this excellent
package of new independent soul product.
There are several quality tunes, none more
so than the excellent productionon James day’s wonderful Love Makes
featuring Audrey Wheeler & Tim Owens, a great example of today’s soul
music.
Nyr’s sensual
Marvin esque Dance 4 Me is also a fine track, his
second track Magical Breath is not quite so good.
Lenny Hamilton is also afforded two tracks. Come
On Over, a husky , moody yet punchy neo soul ballad,
and a more upbeat and funky, and for me, a much better Mama's Boy. Unam’s
production efforts feature on 3, One Soul Concept Featuring Myron, Love's Taken
Over with Rahsaan Patterson and on his own on Just Like
Real Lovers Do. One Soul Concept with
Myron is actually very Rahsaan, with a bit of Stevie funk, Rahsaan’s
track has gotten a lot of plaudits, but am not feeling it too much personally,
Rahsaan not at his best and too much going on in production. Just like lovers
sounds just like a filler track.
The opening track 2
tone’s Something New has some fine sax and a great vocal by James King,
dreamy and warm. Tracii Chinwah has a
great vocal, strong and with depth, Hear Me, pleads in an R’n’B
styled number. Tim Owens - Real Life is from a forthcoming album, sounds very
conceptual and an album to be worth checking out, though not sure how this
track stands alone.
Liv Warfield has got major plugs in the
A very worthwhile taster, with promise of
future product from Unam, James Day, Tim Owen, Lenny Hamilton & Tracii
Chinwah
Track List 2
tone - Something New, One Soul Concept Feat. Myron & U-Nam - The Way U Do
It,James Day Feat. Audrey Wheeler & Tim Owens -
,Love Makes, , Nyr - Dance 4 Me, Lenny hamilton - Come On Over, Tracii Chinwah
- Hear Me, U-Nam - Just Like Real Lovers Do Tim Owens - Real Life,Liv Warfield
- Get Away Shannon Gaye - Willing & Able U-Nam Feat. Rahsaan Patterson -
Love's Taken Over, Lenny Hamilton - Mama's Boy Nyr - Magical Breath
Sandy Dennison – Jazzed
Growing up, on the East Coast, immersed in
music…..country to Bach,
Review – An accomplished and very
pleasant album of
1 A
Wonderful Day Like Today 2 Close
Your Eyes 3 Primrose Color Blue 4 On
the Street Where You Live 5 They
Say It's Wonderful 6 Moonlight
7 Like
Someone in Love 8 Lonely
Hours 9 Sway 10 I
Get the Blues When It Rains
11 A Sunday Kind of Love 12 Ooh
Whatcha' Doin' to Me 13 You're
the One