0 5 Classic R&B CD Gift Picks for 2006

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/30/2006

Here are my 5 new classic R&B CD gift picks for the holiday season. These albums were all released within the past 12 to 14 months. I've ranked them in order. Even though the music is mostly new, the classic soul lover on your gift list will enjoy these... Luther Vandross - The Ultimate Luther Vandross Natalie Cole - Leavin' Jeffrey Osborne -From The Soul Earth, Wind & Fire - Illumination Lionel Richie - Comin' Home I've previously reviewed the Vandross, Cole, and Richie releases. Click on the links to read the reviews. All of the tracks are familiar songs on Jeffrey Osborne's From The Soul. He's had his share of solo hits in addition to memorable chart toppers with L.T.D. On From The Soul, he makes the most of his powerful mellow voice by interpreting ten classic hits made famous by other artists. Jeffrey does a great job too! Close The Door Until You Come Back To Me Yes I'm Ready For What It's Worth People Get Ready First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Knocks Me Off My Feet Every Little Bit Hurts All At Once Hey Girl Finally, Earth, Wind & Fire's Illumination is a very good combination of new and old styles fused together. Brian McKnight, Floetry, Kenny G, Kelly Rowland, and others join the party along with Maurice White, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire. Illumination is well balanced between the vintage sound you expect from the group, and a fresh contemporary edge that the younger participants add. This is the best Earth, Wind & Fire album in years, so treat yourself, or that special classic soul lover on your gift list, to a top notch mix from the provocative "elements of the universe." Previous Post | Next Post

0 Christmas Favorites with an African Beat

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 11/22/2006

Some of South Africa's best talents are featured in a new collection of Christmas songs called, "African Christmas." You'll easily recognize the melodies on this 2006 release. Traditional Christmas carols are sung with melodic African voices in a variety of tempos. Stylistically, "African Christmas" reminds me of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Miriam Makeba, and other South African artists who have exported their culture to the world. "Christmas Favorites with An African Beat," (the CD's subtitle), kicks into high gear with Bongani Masuku, Mandisa Dlanga, Max Mthambo, Vernon Abdul, and other personnel. Zulu-flavored renditions of the following classics are featured: Oh Come All Ye Faithful Away in a Manger Hark! The Herald Angels Sing Joy to The World Little Drummer Boy When A Child is Born Silent Night We Wish You a Merry Christmas Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer Jingle Bell Rock The Sun Shines Down (on A Christmas Day) White Christmas Jingle Bells African Christmas (Acapella) This is a good CD. We'll definitely be playing a few tracks from it on Powerhouse Radio in the weeks ahead as we get closer to Christmas. Check out the Powerhouse Radio Christmas song playlist, and share it with your friends. Previous Post | Next Post  

0 Before us again: Song Stylist Gladys Knight

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 10/04/2006

Gladys Knight has been underrated for years. She's one of the great R&B singers. Showing even more range, Gladys has jumped on the "standards" bandwagon with her brand new CD, "Before Me." Yes, you've heard these jazzy classics before: Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me The Man I Love Good Morning Heartache Since I Fell For You God Bless The Child This Bitter Earth I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) Someone To Watch Over Me But Not For Me I'll Be Seeing You Stormy Weather Come Sunday They are the great songs of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald, among others. "Before Me" is the kind of collection you spin to set the perfect mood for a special evening. Gladys is in perfect form. The songs resonate personality with her warm and earthy phrasing. Song stylist for the ages...absolutely. Every Gladys Knight fan should love, "Before Me." The collection reveals another facet of a vocal legend - a strand of jazz that's good for the soul. Previous Post | Next Post

0 A Relaxing Romantic Return for the Whispers

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 09/21/2006

Fans all over the world are applauding the Whispers, "For Your Ears Only," their first new CD release in nine years. Sample the songs, and you'll hear the velvety smooth Whispers - very reminiscent of their best all-time classic R&B. These guys conduct a master class in "harmony school" by singing up a gentle "quiet storm." After listening to the tracks, I give "For Your Ears Only" two thumbs up. "Love Won't Let Me Wait," the Major Harris hit, gets a fresh uptempo face lift. Diving into the CD, you discover that the beckoning ballads deliver. The medium-tempo tracks are right on target, and the fourteen songs work together to form a very satisfying collection. This new CD is far from just nostalgia. Teena Marie, Ali Ollie Woodson, Robert Brookins, Grady Wilkins, and Nicholas Caldwell (of the Whispers) contribute some great new songs to showcase the emotional intimacy of the group. I've seen the Whispers several different times, and have never been disappointed with their well tuned voices or their lively polished showmanship. Classic soul lovers haven't forgotten the Whispers either. Fan reviews of the new "For Your Ears Only" are unanimously positive. Between 1969 - 1997, The Whispers had 49 R&B chart hits, including "Olivia," "Lady," and "Rock Steady." The Los Angeles, California group continues to tour and perform. Check out the official Solar Records Whispers biography at PowerhouseRadio.com. Take note of the most recent Whispers biography, including some great group photographs, at the official Whispers web site. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Jody Watley Banks on Makeover

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/16/2006

Jody Watley, formerly of the group Shalamar, has a creative new release, "The Makeover." The CD title implies a rebirth, and that's exactly what Jody does with songs you'll instantly recognize. Madonna's "Borderline," Diana Ross' "Love Hangover," Chic's "I Want Your Love," and Bob Marley's "Waiting in Vain" are some of the songs Watley re-energizes. Both "I Want Your Love" and "Waiting in Vain" offer danceable interpretations that expand the scope of the original Chic and Marley tunes. "Makeover" has twelve tracks, offering lots of variety, including several new songs. Jody tackles a medley of Carpenters hits, "Close to You," "Superstar," and "We've Only Just Begun." Her approach is quite different from Luther Vandross' mellow take on the hit song "Superstar." "The Makeover" is Jody's ninth solo album. She sings on this one with gusto. Her fans new and old will enjoy it. Pick up on her good times with Howard Hewitt and Jeffery Daniels by checking out Shalamar's official biography. Jody Watley is the god-daughter of the late classic soul legend Jackie Wilson. She has a great blog, so read about her latest adventures at Jody Watley dot net. Previous Post | Next Post

0 The Raydio Evolution of Ray Parker Jr.

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/10/2006

Ray Parker Jr. learned his craft well. With tons of experience to guide him, he made the successful leap from session musician to Raydio hit maker. During his Raydio era, the air waves percolated with the charm of his group's catchy songs, sincere lyrics, and memorable melodies. Ray has just released a new solo album, "I'm Free," and he still knows how to tell great stories and handle tight harmonies through his songs. One thing that distinguishes Ray's style is the ease at which he effortlessly sings. You can understand all of the words as his voice cuts through (out front in the mix). With 11 songs, I found the first 9 tracks of "I'm Free," the most appealing. The title cut is a bluesy number done Texas style with a guitar lick reminiscent of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. Sounds like Mr. Parker has been spending time on the beach too. There's a festive bounce in the air. "Rum Punch" is a lot of fun, as Ray and his party posse sing "pour me another and let's get drunk." You'll also find a few well done instrumentals, featuring Ray Parker's subtle guitar. A surprise song is his interpretation of a pop classic, "The Guitar Man," originally a hit for David Gates (with the group Bread). Overall, "I'm Free" offers you a pleasant sounding Ray Parker Jr., serving up some spicy new soulful songs. Honest and straightforward lyrics keep you interested throughout both the fun, and the despair illuminated in his songs. Here are some Ray Parker Jr. tour dates for the rest of 2006: August 26, Washington DC, Carter Barron Amphitheater (Rock Creek Park) September 9, Huntington Beach, CA September 30, Mesa, AZ, Ikeda Theater October 1, Santa Barbara, CA, Santa Barbara Zoo October 7, Catalina Island, CA, Catalina Jazz Festival October 13, Jacksonville, FL, The Florida Theatre October 14, Sarasota, FL, Van Weizel Performing Arts October 15, Melbourne, FL, King Center Ray's Official Biography begins..."singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer Ray Parker Jr. had hits as: Raydio (the million-selling Jack and Jill, You Can't Change That) Ray Parker Jr. and Raydio (Two Places at the Same Time, A Woman Needs Love Just Like You Do) Ray Parker Jr. (the number one R&B and pop gold single "Ghostbusters") Co-writer of hit songs for Rufus and Chaka Khan (the number one "You Got the Love" from Fall 1974) and Barry White's ("You See the Trouble With Me" from Spring 1976)." "Born May 1, 1954, in Detroit, Michigan, Parker started out as a teenage session guitarist playing on dates recorded for Holland-Dozier-Holland's Hot Wax and Invictus Records (whose roster included): Freda Payne Honey Cone Chairman of the Board 100 Proof Aged in Soul Laura Lee 8th Day Ray also played behind the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, the Spinners, Gladys Knight and the Pips, and other Motown acts when they appeared at the Twenty Grand Club." "In 1972, Wonder called Parker to ask him to play behind him on a tour that he was doing with the Rolling Stones. Parker thought it was a crank call and hung up the phone. Wonder called back and convinced Parker that he was the real deal by singing "Superstition" to him." See what he's up to now at the Ray Parker Jr. official website. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Rediscovering Lionel Richie

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 08/01/2006

Two years ago, reviewing Lionel Richie's 2004 CD "Just for You," (link to be updated) I wrote that his collection of new songs did "not quite capture the style of his older hits, or the R&B sound of today." I was not alone. If you search through the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) gold and platinum records database, among the 27 citations for Lionel Richie, "Just for You" is missing in action. Gold and platinum releases represent success. Gold releases have sold 500,000 units, and platinum hits have topped 1 million units. "Just for You" sold only 204,000 copies in the USA. Compared to his string of 15 consecutive top 10 R&B hits between 1981 - 1992, (five peaked at #1), the material on "Just for You" was disappointing. Let's remember, here was a guy who is the consummate successful songwriter. An entertainer who: performed "All Night Long" during the XXIII Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984, with 200 dancers, and a worldwide television audience of over 2 billion people. Won 5 Grammy Awards. Won an Oscar and Golden Globe Award for "Say You, Say Me." Given my thoughts about "Just for You," I was pleasantly surprised while auditioning his brand new 2006 release, "I Call It Love," a song that will be included in his new CD, "Coming Home," scheduled for a September 12 release. Opening and closing with what sounds like either a mandolin, or a solo harp and acoustic guitar combination, the melodic song drifts effortlessly into a contemporary mid-tempo beat, accented by background harmonies, reminiscent of Usher's style. "I Call It Love" is well constructed, with a nice tight hook..."they call it - we call it - you call it - I call it love." Joining the hook to reset the song back to its main rhythm is a distinctive bridge (that all good pop songs contain). Listen closely, and you'll hear some understated synthesizer, a tip of the hat to Lionel's sound with The Commodores. His voice sounds clear and distinctive on this new song. He's feeling the song, and enjoying it. Lionel Richie fans, "I Call It Love" is not "Truly" or "Oh No," its closer to The Commodores "Sweet Love" (in tempo), with a more consistent pulsating beat. The young dynamic duo of Stargate and Taj have written and produced this gem for Lionel. Check out "I Call It Love," new to our playlist this week on Powerhouse Radio, The #1 Total R&B Experience. Richie's "Coming Home" CD includes other collaborations with a new generation of hitmakers, including Jermaine Dupri, Raphael Saadiq, Dallas Austin, Sean Garrett, Chuckii Booker, and others. Give "I Call It Love" a listen. I think you'll like it. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Patti Labelle: Miami Vice Siren

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/27/2006

On Friday, July 28th, Miami Vice drops into movie theaters across the USA. Based on the legendary television series, detectives Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs rise again, like the phoenix, in this 2006 update. Jamie Foxx stretches out in the role of Tubbs, originally played by Phillip Michael Thomas. Colin Farrell jumps into the Crockett role, made famous by Don Johnson. Although Patti Labelle, Nina Simone, and India Arie add some pizzazz to the new soundtrack, overall the complete collection as a body of work fails to live up to the 1985 Miami Vice CD. The original 1985 release featured Chaka Khan, Phil Collins, Melle Mel, Tina Turner, Glenn Frey, and Jan Hammer. Musically, these artists were a snapshot of the best of the 80's. As I listened to the 2006 soundtrack, I was struck by how uneven it is. Moby and Patti Labelle collaborate for a pleasing song, "One of These Mornings." "Sinnerman" by the late Nina Simone is remixed by 'Felix Da Housecat' for a robotic techno ride. India Arie offers a charming and melodic ballad, "Ready For Love." The rest of the tracks lack the star power commanded by today's most successful music artists, who are conspicuous by their absence. Additional songs run the gamut from salsa to modern rock, and include other non-descript offerings...guaranteed not to distract while munching popcorn to the pyrotechnic beat of the cop cavalcade on the silver screen. I suppose this soundtrack will play well in trendy South Beach, the section of Miami known for it's expensive restaurants, nightclubs, and upscale fashion. We'll know soon enough if the music in the 2006 Miami Vice soundtrack is trendy, or has staying power, like it's 1985 soul mate. Previous Post | Next Post

0 David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks Live Aid

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 07/13/2006

On July 13, 1985, the American half of the concert to benefit African famine relief known as Live Aid took place at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. Teddy Pendergrass performed for the first time since a paralyzing automobile accident curtailed his career in 1982. Tina Turner, Lionel Richie, B.B. King, Patti Labelle, and The Four Tops also performed from the classic soul, blues, and pop world. The memorable Live Aid moment for me on that hot afternoon in the JFK Stadium stands was the performance by ex-Temptations David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks, along with Philly guys Daryl Hall & John Oates. Motown was the focus of their set, featuring soulful guitar edged versions of several Temptations hits. The foursome also recorded an excellent live album at the world famous Apollo Theater in New York City. Unique artist collaborations are sometimes hit or miss. Ruffin, Kendricks, Hall, and Oates were right in the pocket. These two Motown greats, no longer with us, through Live Aid on a hot Summer day in July put the cause of world hunger in front of millions, and yes, presented their musical legacy to a brand new generation of fans. Previous Post | Next Post

0 Gwen McCrae's New Look at TK Hits

• Review
• by Kingsley H. Smith
• 06/29/2006

This review is from Frost Illustrated - Fort Wayne, Indiana, "Gwen McCrae's New Look at TK Hits..." "There's an old saying cautioning that you can't capture lightning in a bottle. But, sometimes-especially when you're a premier talent-you can come awfully close. That's the impetus behind legendary TK Records founder Henry Stone's latest project, "Gwen McCrae Sings TK" by Gwen McCrae (HSM 6001-2/Phat Sound Promotions). If you were alive and kicking during the '70s, TK has got to be implanted on your soul somewhere. With Stone at the helm, the company produced an astonishing 32 gold and platinum hits-particularly in the disco genre leaning toward the soul side. Stone assembled an impressive stable of energetic artists, who later became industry icons, including Latimore, KC & the Sunshine Band, George McCrae, Bobby Caldwell, David Hudson and Timmy Thomas to name a few. Writers such as Clarence Reid and musicians guitarist Little Beaver and bassist George "Chocolate" Perry helped to create the sound that brought joy to America and the world during a time when Vietnam was still on the minds of the nation. Among that musical royalty was a queen-singer Gwen McCrae, who arguably had-and still has-one of the most soulful and alluring voices in the business. McCrae scored big in 1975 with the Grammy-nominated "Rockin' Chair," further solidifying TK's reputation as a formidable force on the scene. Stone and McCrae have chosen 14 of the label's best blasts from the past to breathe new life into. Plus, there's a funky new Reid composition performed by McCrae and special guest, Harry Wayne Casey-better known as KC of KC & the Sunshine Band. There's no need to say much else about this record other than it's great. After all, it's great material in the hands of a great singer. What else could you ask for? Well, maybe a little more needs to be said, because McCrae and company don't just repeat the past. There are some nice new nuances here, such as Latimore's duet with her on his classic TK hit "Let's Straighten It Out." To spice up McCrae's new version of her hit "Rockin' Chair," Timmy Thomas shows up to let you know he's still got it on the deepest groove ever heard and all too relevant today too -"Why Can't We Live Together." David Hudson joins McCrae to revisit his tour de force "Honey, Honey" while KC shows up again to remind us to "Keep It Comin' Love." There are plenty of others here you'll remember including "Misty Blue," a song that would be a dangerous attempt for an ordinary singer after Dorothy Moore nailed it so tight back in the day. McCrae is no ordinary singer and does her own brand of justice. She also accomplishes on "What You Won't Do For Love," a tune that has been mercilessly butchered by a host of lightweight Bobby Caldwell wannabes. McCrae has got the voice, the chops and the heart to make you believe it was hers from the beginning. She's marvelously smooth on ex-beau George McCrae's seminal "Rock Your Baby." Oh yeah, the fellas, including Little Beaver and Chocolate Perry ain't too bad reproducing some the classic licks of the time on tunes like the instrumental-hook-laden "Clean Up Woman," and other tunes. Maybe you can't capture lightning in a bottle, but "Gwen McCrae Sings TK" comes pretty close 30 years after the first strike, and that's pretty good shooting." Previous Post | Next Post