0 Sparkle Then and Now

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/16/2012

Whitney Houston's "Celebrate," a nice uptempo duet with Jordin Sparks of American Idol fame was recorded in early February, 2012. The latest "Sparkle" movie was released in August, 2012. The original film from 1976 starred Irene Cara. "Celebrate" is included in the soundtrack. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Lionel Richie Tuskegee

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/17/2012

As a solo artist Lionel Richie has always playfully stuck his toe in country music. He's been charmed by the genre recording past duets with both Alabama and Kenny Rodgers. Tuskegee is a bold experiment that was ultimately successful as it rode it's way to the top of the Billboard charts. Each song on the album is a 'glory days' Richie original. His partners on this project make up a who's who of country. Lionel brings a contemporary touch to these old songs to rejuvenate them more time. "You Are" with Blake Shelton "Say You, Say Me" with Jason Aldean "Stuck on You" with Darius Rucker "Deep River Woman" with Little Big Town "My Love" with Kenny Chesney "Dancing on the Ceiling" with Rascal Flatts "Hello" with Jennifer Nettles "Sail On" with Tim McGraw "Endless Love" with Shania Twain "Just For You" with Billy Currington "Lady" with Kenny Rodgers (new version) "Easy" with Willie Nelson "All Night Long" with Jimmy Buffet & Coral Reefer Band All of the country 'A' listers are here. The song arrangements respect the originals but discover some new territory through the fusion of two classic musical cultures that share similar emotions. I enjoyed all of these songs, especially "Endless Love" with Shania Twain. Whether it's Richie with Diana Ross, or Luther Vandross with Mariah Carey, "Endless Love" is hard to break. Honorable mention goes to "Lady" as Richie and Kenny Rodgers recreate the harmonic magic one more time to update their big hit. "Sail On" with Tim McGraw is pretty cool too! Previous Post | Next Post

0 Michael Jackson Mixes Make Immortal Moves

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/30/2011

If you’ve been lucky enough to see the international Michael Jackson Cirque Du Soleil Immortal World Tour going on now through the end of 2012, you’ve heard some ingenious new takes on several M-J classics. In the show a live band plays his music to accompany the visual story of his life through the movement of the Cirque Du Soleil performers. After seeing the electrifying show in Las Vegas in December 2011, I wanted the CD version of these new mixes. The ‘Immortal’ versions of Jackson’s amazing hits are cleverly mixed. If the originals are burned in your memory, it may take you several plays of the revised songs to hear them in a new way. Some of the tracks are unique. A few have not been included in previously available material. My favorites include the English – Spanish version of “I Just Can’t Stop Lovin’ You” with Siedah Garrett, an acoustic piano only with vocal version of “I’ll Be There,” and an update to Megamix, now called “Immortal Megamix” featuring “Can You Feel It/Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough/Billie Jean/Black or White.” There are 20 tracks here, all emphasizing Michael’s voice, from the Jackson 5, Jacksons, and Michael Jackson catalogue. The use of technology to energize the Michael Jackson experience is to be complemented. In some songs, certain pauses are added, or sped up, just for the right effect, without ruining the soul of the original song. If you ignored Michael Jackson Immortal when it was released, you should take a second look. Previous Post | Next Post

0 True Soul Classics from Little Rock Arkansas

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/26/2011

In the history of classic soul, the grits n’ grooves city of Memphis in the southwest corner of Tennessee gets much well deserved credit for cultivating the music. Stax ruled the roost back in the day, with The Soul Children, Isaac Hayes, Booker T & the MG’s, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding, and an iconic list of artists. Hundreds of miles to the west in the neighboring state of Arkansas, Lee Anthony was building a local presence by nurturing True Soul Records out of Little Rock in 1968.   Anthony, who graduated from college with an art history degree, gathered a stable of local Little Rock musicians, groups, and artists partly collaborated through the many relationships he built while in school. Anthony was the entrepreneur and somewhat self-taught recording engineer who put his record studio dream together. Early on he would record tracks in his Little Rock Studio, and travel to Memphis to press 45 RPM vinyl records he could sell. Anthony gleaned inspiration along with ideas during numerous trips to Memphis, hanging out with the Stax crowd, attending their events, and observing recording techniques in their studio. He reflects within the liner notes of the recently released True Soul CD/DVD’s that “I came back to Little Rock and tried to duplicate the instrumentation Stax had.” One thing about the 32 tracks featured across the two volumes of True Soul. The sound is raw, experimental, and adventurous. Some describe it as southern soul. These songs sound less like multi-tracked studio creations and more like live slices of real performances from some committed, enthusiastic entertainers. This multi record set is billed as Deep Sounds from the Left of Stax 60s & 70’s Soul and Funk from Arkansas’s Legendary Independent Label. You generally wouldn’t call the Stax sound layered and sophisticated in production technique, compared to say Motown, as Stax was closer to the root of basic blues. The True Soul Records sound even more straightforward than Stax, and are driven by basic uncomplicated instrumental tracks to support the vocals. Most of these songs were not national or even regional hits. Reviewing them today captures the essence of how local tastes in American music back in the day could make or break artists. Today, national and global breakouts are commonplace propelled by satellite networks, computers, YouTube, and iTunes. I was blown away by the 30 odd pages of photos and liner notes (included in each volume) detailing the interesting history of the True Soul label and it’s place in rhythm and blues history. I admit this is a story I was not familiar with. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 90 seconds of “Psychedelic Hot Pants” by York Wilborn’s Psychedelic Six, and learn more about Deep Sounds from the Left of Stax 60s & 70’s Soul and Funk from Arkansas’s Legendary Independent Label True Soul Records. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/31/2011

While it's been a long road since her hits "Fame" and "Flashdance," Irene Cara continues to make enjoyable music driven by her wonderful voice. Her 2011 release, Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel, introduces 5 talented young ladies who excel in instrumental virtuosity. Irene sings lead, co-writes, and produces many of the tracks featuring Hot Caramel, however, the sweet ladies, including Audrey Martells, get their chance to shine in both lead and background vocals. Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel is a double CD release. CD volume 1 has a distinctly different personality from CD volume 2. CD 1 has a clear rock edge, although hip hop elements keep the sound contemporary. The songs on CD 1 aren't especially memorable or distinctive enough to be placed in the unique category, but they are competent and well performed. "Life in the Fast Lane," a track popularized by the Eagles, is a strong cover, but doesn't really showcase the strength of this album, which is found on CD volume 2. The 2nd CD has much better tracks, with the emphasis on R&B, both traditional and contemporary. To really hear these ladies play, you have to check out "The Best," a mostly instrumental power track that echoes jazz, rock, and soul. What I like the most about Irene Cara Presents Hot Caramel is that it's different from today's predictable formulaic R&B releases. This release is a throwback to an era that specialized in great singing and solid musicianship. This double album would be better served if the promotional emphasis was directed to the stronger tracks on CD 2, including "Forgive Me," and "Soul Beat." Visit Irene Cara's site, and listen to 60 seconds of "Forgive Me" in a previous post. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Soul Train Video Classics are back on Track

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/15/2010

It's the 40th anniversary of a biggin' everyone's sure nuff diggin' as Don Cornelius and Time-Life dispatch a new silver streak collection of TV Soul Train video classics. Read Mickie's nice overview of "The Best of Soul Train," a 9-DVD 2010 release in honor of Mr. Cornelius' long-lasting television enterprise. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Your Super Soul Revival is Back for 2010

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/20/2010

Who says there's nothing new or compelling under the sun from straight ahead rhythm & blues! Have you picked up on some of today's fresh contemporary jams? Yes, the golden age of classic soul is long gone, but? Rather than lament about today's music as 2nd best, one has to dig a little bit deeper. Since the beginning of Powerhouse Radio online in 2001, we've always included a handful of carefully selected new tracks fitting the style of the vintage classic soul that you love. We received a 2010 promotional copy of Soul Revival, part of the Discover Songs series curated by NPR with help from Shout Factory. This is an example of digging deep. Soul Revival includes several great tracks that we already play. I can't imagine anyone not liking this compilation. Ryan Shaw kicks things off with "Do The 45," a tip of the hat to Jr. Walker & the All-Stars that really cooks. Contributions from Raphael Saadiq, Ann Peebles, Candi Staton, Bettye Lavette, Thelma Houston, and others all complement the old school theme of this mostly new or recent music collection. Check this one out. You'll be glad you did. "Do The 45" - Ryan Shaw "Am I Wasting My time?" - Eli "Paperboy" Reed & The True Lovers "100 Yard Dash" - Raphael Saadiq "Disrespectful" - Chaka Khan with Mary J. Blige "100 Days, 100 Nights" - Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings "No Smoke Without Fire" - James Hunter "Love and Happiness" - Thelma Houston "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" - Ann Peebles "Love Comes and Goes" - Lee Fields & The Expressions "I Still Want To Be Your Baby" - Bettye Lavette "If It Wasn't For Loving You" - Steve Cropper & Felix Cavaliere "How Do I Tell Him" - The Revelations featuring Tre Williams "His Hands" - Candi Staton Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of "Do The 45" by Ryan Shaw. He also does a great version of the much recorded classic "Memphis Train" as featured on the Soul Men movie soundtrack. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Stevie Wonder Celebrates 60

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 05/13/2010

Just in time for the celebration of Stevie Wonder's 60th birthday on May 13, 2010, pop culture writer Mark Ribowsky has put the Motown legend under the literary microscope in a new book. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder meticulously chronicles his compelling story from child prodigy to international super star. Ribowsky doesn't sweep some of the negative parts of the Wonder odyssey under the rug. He keeps the story real by taking an honest look at how Stevie grew up within the Motown family driven by his positive inner talent (accompanied by some external negative demons along for the ride). Through the pen of the author, this is an entertaining, fun story, which in many was reflects the zany personality of Stevie Wonder. The details in Signed, Sealed, and Delivered: The Soulful Journey of Stevie Wonder are thoroughly intense. Ribowsky is gifted in documenting the elaborate minutiae of Stevie's story in a way that sometimes reads more like a novel than a biography. After the first third of the book you'll discover how dysfunctional elements of Wonder's family influenced relocation to Detroit, Michigan. Mark Ribowsky uses many quick anecdotes from supporting Wonder sources including quotes from books by Supreme Mary Wilson, music critic Nelson George, and Stevie's mother, Lula Mae Wright (Hardaway). If you have always been confused about what Stevie Wonder's real name is, here is a brief excerpt from Signed, Sealed, and Delivered that explores this topic: There's so much in this story that I haven't even scratched the surface, so next time, we'll get to Ribowsky's narration about Stevie Wonder's wild days at Motown when he began producing memorable music. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Let Freedom Sing: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/25/2010

As Black History Month 2010 comes to a close, here's a great review from BlackHistoryPeople.com of Let Freedom Sing: The Music of the Civil Rights Movement. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Alicia Keys Uses Elements of Freedom for New Independence

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/07/2010

Released in December 2009, Alicia Keys' latest album Elements of Freedom takes her in some clearly new and adventurous directions. Some of the sounds on her last album As I Am foreshadowed the artistic growth we get on Elements of Freedom. You could argue that on many of these songs, Alicia Keys travels down an independent road, away from her successful hit making formulas of the past. There's more Brenda Russell and India.Arie here and less Aretha and Beyonce'. The Beatle-ish "Distance and Time" with it's intro nod to "Let It Be" is an example of how Alicia feels quite at ease making music her way. Her singing and keyboard playing are very strong. For most fans, that's all this album needs to please. 14 tracks (including a short :13 second intro) make up Elements of Freedom. The songs are all enjoyable, although on the first few listening sessions, nothing exceptional grabbed my ears. There's the stylish "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down," the kind of song Carole King might have written and performed a few moons ago. Jay-Z is not on this version. Overall, I can sum up Elements of Freedom as a worthy singer-songwriter indulgence that could push the Alicia Keys phenomenon to an even broader audience. Does she succeed? I like it, but you can be the judge for yourself. Previous Post | Next Post