0 Mary J Blige is Stronger with each Tear

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/04/2010

Why does Mary J. Blige stands out from other contemporary ladies of song including Beyonce', Alicia Keys, and Rihanna? Well, Mary J. is... Mary J. Miss Blige has forged a solid track record since 1992 building on an authentic R&B hip hop fusion that she continues to refine with intricate skill. Her new album Stronger with Each Tear, released at the tail end of 2009, features spirited, lively, and well produced commercially festive tracks. The songs reflect positive emotions. Mary J. belts out the lyrics with expressive conviction. You know she's been around the block and communicates her experience through the stories these songs tell. Despite the slick, catchy hooks in these crafty and memorable numbers, there's just enough raw grit to keep Mary J. real, relevant, and believable. With the exception of the very different "I Can See In Color," a bluesy final track, Stronger with Each Tear, is consistently good. You've read my opinion, now here are 3 others... Los Angeles Times - "The compositions belie their complexity with expansive hip-hop beats, delicate piano and lush strings. Producers such as Ne-Yo know how to primp and pamper without hitting overload, and guests Drake, T.I. and Trey Songz all deliver strong turns." "Yet some of the best moments are stripped down: the Raphael Saadiq-produced "I Can See in Color," also featured on the Precious soundtrack, is a profession of self-worth that's at once silky and dirge-like." New York Times - "The standout on Mary J. Blige's ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear, is its final song, "I Can See in Color," from the soundtrack of Precious." "It restates Ms. Blige's favorite message that tribulation is the beginning of redemption in an emphatically unadorned minor-key soul setting." Boston Globe - "The queen of hip-hop soul splits her loyalty between three masters with the agility of a gymnast, but she manages to hold a mood with seamless transitions between each." "Deliberate, midtempo pop-soul songs help you catch your breath, which is all the better to sing along." "The highlights include the current single, "I Am," another slice of melodic joy from the golden production team Stargate, and the purposeful "Each Tear," which sounds like a combination of Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin." "The album closes with a one-two punch of simmering, old-school soul tracks "In the Morning" and "I Can See in Color." "The latter, from the Precious soundtrack, is produced to raw perfection by Raphael Saadiq. It's a reminder that Blige gets stronger with each album." Previous Post | Next Post

3 Tru Is True To New Classic Soul

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/11/2009

The headline on the flip side of their new 2009 With Tru Love CD says, "Keeping The Music Alive." After a quick listen to this 10 track collection, it's clear that Tru, a vocal ensemble in the best tradition of the Stylistics, Ray, Goodman, & Brown, and Blue Magic, keep the harmonic essence of classic soul alive today. The ballad "If I Told You" stands out as one of the strongest original songs. Tru tackles just a couple of covers: the Impressions "Keep On Pushin'," and Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' "If You Don't Know Me By Now." Other original gems include "You're All I Want You To Be," "With This Ring," and "Can I." According to their official biography, Tru has opened concerts for Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Little Anthony & The Imperials, and others. They also have made quite a name for themselves on the Atlantic City casino circuit. Tru is: 1) James "Jimi" Williams, 2) Primo Wansley, and 3) LaVon "Donnie" Tatem. These guys have all been singing since they were very young. Tru's album was recorded at Polygon Studios in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. With True Love appears on Sounds of Philly Records, Brigantine, NJ. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 39 seconds of "If I Told You" by Tru. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Earth, Wind & Fire Reactivates The Promise

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 02/26/2009

Earth, Wind & Fire captured a prime spot at The White House on Sunday, February 22, 2009, as they performed for President Barack Obama, the first lady, and an assembly of U.S. governors. The dinner event welcomed the National Governors Association gathering to Washington, DC. Just two days later on Tuesday, February 24th, Earth, Wind & Fire re-released The Promise. This CD, originally offered in 2003, features the lively "All In The Way." Read my 2003 review of Earth, Wind & Fire's The Promise. 2005 brought an even stronger EWF release, Illumination, featuring strong collaborations with Brian McKnight, Will.I.Am, and others. Here's the Earth, Wind & Fire, April, 2009 Tour Calendar: Thursday, April 23, Tunica Resorts, MS - Harrah's Casino Tunica Event Center Sunday, April 26, New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Fair Grounds (New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival) Previous Post | Next Post

0 Chess Soul Drives Cadillac Records to the Bank

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/08/2009

Chicago is one of the great American cities famous for creating musical history. The 'Windy City' has nurtured great artists, great music, and great radio. Curtis Mayfield, the Chi-Lites, Walter Jackson, the Lost Generation, and Ramsey Lewis are just a few of the 2nd generation Chi-Town classic soul sensations. One of the best first generation compilations featuring a treasure trove of Chicago goodies is the double CD Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest. 2008's Cadillac Records movie featuring Beyonce' as Etta James is a semi-fictional account of the story of Chicago's Chess Records, and it's founder, Leonard Chess. After the blues era peaked, Chess, notable for recording the blues masters, turned his attention to the emerging R&B scene. Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest, showcases recordings made between 1961 - 1971. What makes the Chess soul sound so distinctive is the close lineage the music has to the blues. Many of the 45 songs featured in this collection were regional rather than national or international hits. All the more reason to take a closer look at the tone and texture that makes these songs stand out. It doesn't get any better than the vintage classic soul sound of Gene Chandler, Fontella Bass, Etta James, and Billy Stewart. Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest was first issued in 1997, to mark the 50th anniversary of the record label. There's an authentic raw edge to most of these songs. Singing with emotion is the audience pleasing formula used by these artists. You won't find as much of the slick uptown production style that marked the later sophisticated soul of Motown, Stax, Atlantic, and Philadelphia International Records. Regardless, Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest is an excellent anthology revealing why the Windy City is so important in the history of R&B. Take a look through the track list. These songs will bring back great memories. CD 1 "Mama Didn't Lie" - Jan Bradley "Strange Feeling" - Billy Stewart "I've Been So Lonely" - Cookie & The Cupcakes "Soulful Dress" - Sugar Pie DeSanto "Love Ain't Nothin' (But A Monkey On Your Back) - Johnny Nash "Who's That Guy?" - The Kolettes "Ain't Love Good, Ain't Love Proud" - Tony Clarke "I Had A Talk with My Man" - Mitty Collier "I Can't Help Myself" - The Gems "Don't Mess Up A Good Thing" - Fontella Bass & Bobby McClure "Voice Your Choice" - The Radiants "Selfish One" - Jackie Ross "The Entertainer" - Tony Clarke "I Do Love You" - Billy Stewart "Love Is A Five Letter Word" - James Phelps "The Soul of A Man" - Fontella Bass "Temptation Bout To Get Me" - The Knight Brothers "Do I Make Myself Clear?" - Etta James & Sugar Pie DeSanto "Take Me For A Little While" - Jackie Ross "What About Me?" - The Valentinos "I'm Satisfied" - Mitty Collier "Searching For My Love" - Bobby Moore & The Rhythm Aces "Only Time Will Tell" - Etta James CD 2 "Rescue Me" - Fontella Bass "I'm Not Ashamed" - Bobby McClure "Stay By My Side" - Jo Ann Garrett "Have Pity On Me" - Billy Young "Wade In The Water" - Ramsey Lewis "I Fooled You This Time" - Gene Chandler "Don't Pass Me By" - Big Maybelle "Lonely Girl" - Andrea Davis "To Be A Lover" - Gene Chandler "Don't Knock Love" - Barbara Carr "I Believe She Will" - Eddie & Ernie "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" - Marlena Shaw "A Love Reputation" - Denise LaSalle "Dirty Man" - Laura Lee "I Can't Make It Without You" - Fred Hughes "Hold On" - The Radiants "Good To Me" - Irma Thomas "You Left The Water Running" - Maurice & Mac "Oh What A Day" - The Dells "Baby, I Love You" - Little Milton "Losers Weepers" - Etta James "Give Your Baby A Standing Ovation" - The Dells Chess Soul: A Decade of Chicago's Finest Previous Post | Next Post

0 Femi Courts Success with Sweet Water Soul part 2

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/30/2008

As mentioned last time, singer Femi hails from the Bay Area of San Francisco - Oakland. She's worked with Ledisi, Black Eyed Peas, and other artists. Her 6 song EP Sweet Water Soul offers a smooth blend of musical influences. Femi's delicate voice is supported by capable arrangements touching Afro-Latin/Caribbean, salsa, rock, and R&B. This is not a hook laden collection of songs, as the tunes venture into their own style and space. Sweet Water Soul avoids the cookie-cutter approach to neo-soul, but attempts instead to discover new territory on it's maiden voyage. Femi succeeds in creating a soulful 'singer - songwriter' statement which should be a good starting point from which to build even more inventive melodies. In addition to several other players, Femi is featured on Fender Rhodes, piano, acoustic guitar, synth bass, synth organ, synth strings, cajon, percussion, kalimba, bell tree, rainstick, drum programming, and sequencing. My favorite tracks are the airy "Pages," the rhythmic "If I Knew," and her funky production of "Crush." Sweet Water Soul: "Sweet Water (Rezo)" "Imported" "Crush" "If I Knew" "I Want You" "Pages" Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 30 seconds of the melodic "Pages." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Femi Courts Success with Sweet Water Soul

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 12/26/2008

From the Oakland, California music scene comes Femi, who will remind you of Patrice Rushen, Minnie Riperton, and Sade. Femi's new 6 track EP Sweet Water Soul offers a refreshing spin on vintage R&B that many of her more popular contemporaries have all but passed on. Next week, we'll update you on the emerging Femi, a lady who brings much more to the table than just a fresh new face. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Tina Turner Time

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/16/2008

As Tina Turner chugs along with her 2008 world tour, she's dropped another greatest hits collection into the music pipeline. Tina! was released on September 30th. Tours sell archives, so having some "fresh" material in the marketplace generates sales. You'll find many of these songs on other "best of Ike & Tina Turner" anthologies. A nice exception is the inclusion of 3 powerful live tracks that brighten the compilation. As for the studio recordings, "Proud Mary" is a newer somewhat sedate 1993 version without the presence of Ike. "Nutbush City Limits," updated in the 1990's with a dance floor groove, uses the classic 1973 Ike Turner guitar hero mix. The magnificent "Private Dancer" appears in a short 4 minute version, rather than the 7 minute original from 1984. Two hit movie themes add some depth: 1985's "We Don't Need Another Hero" from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and Tina's 1995 James Bond theme "Goldeneye." A couple of brand new songs, "It Would Be A Crime" and "I'm Ready" round out the CD as the final two tracks. "It Would Be A Crime" is the stronger of the two. Tina! "Steamy Windows" "River Deep-Mountain High" "Better Be Good To Me" "The Acid Queen" "What You Get is What You See" "What's Love Got To Do With It" "Private Dancer" "We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)" "I Don't Wanna Fight" "Goldeneye" "Let's Stay Together" (Live In Amsterdam) "I Can't Stand the Rain" (Live In Amsterdam) "Addicted To Love" (Live At Camden Palace) "The Best" "Proud Mary" "Nutbush City Limits" "It Would Be a Crime" (Bonus track previously unreleased) "I'm Ready" (Bonus track previously unreleased) Previous Post | Next Post

0 George Clinton & his Gangsters of Love

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/07/2008

In September, 2008, P-Funk fans received a new taste of "The Mothership Connection" in the guise of George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love. In full disclosure, I'm a big fan of the original Parliament-Funkadelic recordings. I have a combined mix of at least 9 of their very early individual vinyl albums. Somehow, the novelty of funkmaster George Clinton, the "One Nation Under A Groove" guy, recording a new CD of love songs seems out of character with his "Dr. Funkenstein" persona. Fear not. Clinton doesn't exactly create a Ronald Isley styled collection of standard chestnuts. Helped by a supporting cast, the tunes stay interesting. Lending their credibility are Carlos Santana, Sly Stone, El DeBarge, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and legendary Philadelphia producer/engineer Bobby Eli. Still, it's hard to take some of these covers seriously, but then, the original appeal of P-Funk mania was Clinton's zeal for fun and unpredictability. So get ready for several unconventional interpretations of Curtis Mayfield, Marvin Gaye, Ruby & The Romantics, The Four Tops, and others. Either George Clinton and his Gangsters of Love CD is genius, or the joke's on us. "Ain't That Peculiar"- (featuring El DeBarge/Sly Stone/The P-Funk All-Stars) "Never Gonna Give You Up" - (featuring El DeBarge) "Mathematics Of Love" - (featuring Kim Burrell) "Let The Good Times Roll" - (featuring Kim Manning/Red Hot Chili Peppers) "Pledging My Love" "Gypsy Woman" - (featuring El DeBarge/Carlos Santana) "It's All In The Game" - (featuring Belita Woods) "Heart Trouble" - (featuring Paul Hill) "Our Day Will Come" - (featuring Kendra Foster) "Sway" - (featuring Belita Woods) "A Thousand Miles Away" Hidden Track 1 Hidden Track 2 Hidden Track 3 Hidden Track 4 Those 4 hidden tracks feature collaborations with some folks who I guess didn't want their names plastered on the CD jewel case. Hidden Track 1, borrowing portions of the melody from "I'll be Good To You" by the Brothers Johnson, features a lively rap from guess who? The final 3 hidden tracks sound like outtakes to pad the CD. Your browser does not support the audio element. Listen to 1 minute & 12 seconds of Barry White's "Never Gonna Give You Up," featuring George Clinton and El DeBarge. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Janet Jackson Favors Little Discipline over Control

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 04/23/2008

Now that the hype has settled surrounding the release of Janet Jackson's new collection Discipline, let's take a closer look at the music. Heading south on the album charts, Discipline still holds onto a top 30 spot, having peaked the first week out at #1. The biggest issue I have with Discipline is that Janet Jackson has thrown herself at the mercy of her producers. Jermaine Dupri is all over the album as the main architect, whipping up Justin Timberlake like grooves on "Feedback." With "Rollercoaster," we hear the sample machine cranked up to the max, with screams, grunts, and beats bouncing around Janet's lyrics for maximum punch. The problem is that these musical theatrics craft the opposite effect that Janet's sweet voice projects. Trying too hard to be cutting Edge, Discipline disappoints. This album is better than Janet's last one, but the real Ms. Jackson is still pressing too hard to find her authentic voice. You can tell a lot just from the CD pictures accompanying Discipline. Where's the musical beef? Here are some other thoughts about Discipline... The Los Angeles Times: "Discipline tries to service both Tyler Perry-loving moms and their gone-wild progeny, sacrificing Jackson's own vision in the process." Dot Music: "Still, if not perfect, there's plenty to like on Discipline, and while none of it is exactly vintage Janet, there's enough here to keep the Jackson name on pop's A-list for a little while longer." Boston Globe: "Jackson's decision to recycle the nympho routine one more time is just boring." Entertainment Weekly: "Despite a couple of promising tracks the music generally befits the absurd lyrics...Dupri, Ne-Yo, Rodney Jerkins, The-Dream, and StarGate often drown out Jackson's breathy vocals with soulless beats. PopMatters: "On Discipline, Janet sounds part nympho, part aging diva trying to keep up with her would be replacements. It works on some songs, but fails miserably on most." Hartford Courant: "When juxtaposed with the album's bubble-gum bounce, the creepy parts just seem creepier." Village Voice: "Discipline is the most cohesive deep-groove album from La Jackson since "Control." I'd say there is overall consensus that Discipline is pretty weak. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Charles Wright takes 'Express Yourself' to Line Dancing

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 01/09/2008

Charles Wright, producer, singer and founder of the classic soul Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band is upbeat about his new album, Finally Got It Wright. He sticks to the tradition of his early hits "Do Your Thing" and "Express Yourself," released in 1968 and 1970. The Watts 103rd Street Rhythm band exemplifies Los Angeles funk just like Chuck Brown personifies Washington, DC's go-go music. There's a free mp3 download of "Line Dance Song" from Charles Wright's new album available directly from his line dance web site. 2021 Update: Contest is sunset. Charles says: "I'm not Columbia, RCA or Capital, so I do not intend to pretend that I can compete on their level." "I am a small company and will act accordingly. Therefore, if it takes me three, four or even five years to complete the job or more, I intend to concentrate on Finally Got It Wright because I honestly and truly believe in it." Charles Wright was born near Clarksdale, Mississippi. The family moved to Los Angeles when he was 12. He started on piano and later graduated to vocals, guitar, bass and drums. As a teenager, Wright led and composed for several doo-wop groups, including the Twilighters, The Shields, and the Galahads. Charles became one of Hollywood's most sought after studio musicians while simultaneously becoming a nightclub sensation with his band Charles Wright and He Wright-Sounds. After recording renowned Los Angeles Dee Jay Magnificent Montague's theme song, "Spreading Honey," Charles founded the history-making Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band - the first successful rhythm & blues act for Warner Brothers. The "Watts" band backed Bill Cosby on his first two musical albums, Silver Throat and The Salvation Army Band: Bill Cosby Sings. Previous Post | Next Post