listen out for 2010...
• Jimetta Rose - The Barbers Daughter / Adriana Evans - Walking With The Night / Various Artists - Contemporary Soul Songbook Vol.2 / Dreemtime - New York Lounge Funk
Four albums at the end of January (beginning of February) to recommend highly? Must be Christmas! Sorry that was a month ago wasn't it? What with these and the wonderful Teena Marie playing London at the end of January? What a great start to 2010. Teena was fanatastic, by the way. I was lucky enough to sit and talk with her as well last week, as well as catching the show. Lovely woman. I'll post further information at the site at a later date.
These four albums are all remarkable, all for different reasons. Jimetta's album, for instance, is a pretty good new organic set all told, however, as with the Jaguar Wright album from a few years ago, there is a killer tune, which should not be missed by anyone who loved the music emanating from the States circa 2000. 'Sweet Necessity' will be come a Soul favourite amongst Soul fans over the coming months. It is so ridiculously infectious that it simply demands the listeners attention. Jimetta is one of several new, new organic songstresses, who look to be continuing the original groundswell set by Erica, N'Dambi etc. For myself, some of this music can sound a little too up someplace where the sun don't shine, however, when it hits the spot, such as this track does, it is immense! Watch out, also, for Georgia Ann Muldrow, who I believe will become another well respected artist over the coming years. She is way ahead of her time. Counted in years I believe. Other tracks on this set, such as 'Revolution Out There' are great tracks of their socially aware disposition. Ground breaking even. 'Sweet Neccesity' is a killer tune, which should not be ignored. I've posted several links to all these albums at the end of this review. Go check the track at Jimetta's own band's site.
Adriana Evans doesn't make bad albums. Expansion Records have kept the woman off the transfer list, something which we should all be grateful for. Adriana's vocal styling is very clear and eloquent, which is something we should also be thankful for in todays marketplace, where singers are encouraged to sing every note around the one's they are actually supposed to be hitting! This is Adriana's 4th album I believe. Her 1997 debut is seen, amongst purists, as a classic in it's own way. 'Walking With The Night' is, probably, as good a set as the debut, which shows a high level of consistency from this artist 13 years after that self titled album release. I think Adriana wouldn't mind me saying that she has a delicate quality to her delivery. A vocal coach would love her timbre. This music has a retro feel, embellished with some modern musical accessories, giving the album a multi-generational appeal. The opener is a Soul classic in so many ways. 'Waiting' is a song you think you might have heard before, but sung by whom? The answer is nobody! Good sign of a great melody. 'Suddenly', is a moody, almost Philadelphia International in style, stepper. Another one for the 'file under class' section of your i-Tunes folder! There are 14 songs which make for another essential album for your shopping list. The list of great tunes on show here is one hell of a long list! You can leave the set on and go make a coffee and let the music make it's own journey through an hour or so of your time. A very satisfying journey indeed. Other favourites? 'Surrender' got the toes tapping here, the dreamy 'Astral Projection', the Thom Bell-esque 'Sooner Or Later', the retro 'Set In Stone' and the breezy 'El Sol' all rose above the ordinary. In fact, the whole set does just that. Pure class in an industry that might learn a thing or two from music of this standard.
The Soul Unsigned label, twisted my arm with this release, in as much as, I wanted to post 3 albums here. Jimetta's set had to be here for THAT tune, Adriana's was so solid it overshadowed many recent releases, Dreemtime's album was a cracker, and Phil Driver gate-crashed the party with, probably, his emerging imprint's finest set of songs thus far. So, into the hat you go comrade! The Contemporary Soul Songbook Volume 2 is the third.......(that had you going didn't it!).....second release in this great series of tracks released and widely ignored by everyone except Phil and a few of us trainspotters. Thanks to Phil and his team, the rest of the country can now get to enjoy the best of the lesser recognized artists joining the cream of the Soul performers out there, all rising, one way or another, to the top of our wants listings. The great thing about these releases is Phil does all the hard work for us, so we can just enjoy these great songs. The opening track sees a revisitation to this website, as just before Christmas last year, I featured the wonderful Marilyn Ashford Brown's album at the site. Probably the most commercial track, on offer from that set, makes the opening line-up on the team sheet here. 'I've Got A Feeling' very much has an 'It Seems To Hang On' vibe running throughout the song. Loved that track when Marilyn first sent me the album, and the songs appeal still endures well into 2010. Cherry picking tracks, on this 16 track album, is not an easy task. Phil has raised the quality bar, thus making the decision making a more complicated factor. 'Mr Do Right' by Ms Monique, 'Good Love' by Leon Beal, 'Somethinz Different' by Uncle Myke, 'Sit Back' by Orly (gorgeous), 'Brand New Day' by Asanda Bam (also, gorgeous) and 'Take Me Away' by Gemma Genazzano are all genuine Soul gems. All hit the spot, with, probably, my pick of the bunch being the haunting 'Secret Box' by Four Goes. Really eerie and wonderful slice of Soul Music. This is a classy set of melodies, which are completely essential. Great release!
Dreemtime made a great album last year, and they now release this follow up with, probably, the most incorrectly titled album of 2010! 'New York Lounge Funk'? What does that conjure up in your mind? Studio 54 crossed with Parliament? Well this set doesn't do what it says on the tin! This is one great modern Soul set, perhaps comparable to an Incognito release, although that is an often description of an album which has a Soulfully semi-live overall feel. The music is funky in parts. U.K., sounding in places, Stateside in others. Multi influenced you might say. I loved the opening bars of 'Happy For 5', which remined me of the opening bars of Bill Withers 'Lovely Day'. The harmonies are exquisite and disciplined. The jazzy 'Night and Day' (no not that song!) really impressed here, as did the mid-tempo song 'Time'. The track which really snuck up my trouser leg (in the best possible toe-tapping taste!) is the melodic early Eighties sounding song 'Fly'. Quite a rare groove vibe running throughout this song. Not an album as strong as Phil's or Adriana's, however, a set full of catchy melodies which should not be ignored. Impressive stuff.
http://jimettarose.bandcamp.com/album/the-barbers-daughter
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dreemtime4
• Druw and Perez Presents The Modernists / The Whispers Orchestra - The Whispers Orchestra / Jeff Ramsey - My Best
The Modernists album is a, probably, the most difficult album to review at the site thus far. The reason for my hesitancy is that I have a vested interest in this album, therefore, objectivity needs to be the watchword here. 'Druw' is a musical collaborator of 'Perez'. Druw, I don't know, however, Billy Perez,is a long time friend of mine. We even used to work together! Billy and I go back many years. He is fully aware of my interest in Soul Music, and I am of his. He is a very nice person. Very popular with the ladies as well!! When Billy told me he had been working on an album, I wasn't sure if I was capable of being objective about the set, therefore, I chickened out a little and sent the album to a deejay friend of mine. I really liked the album when I played it here....but was I being biased by my friendship with the man? I decided to send 4 new releases to my deejay colleague, and see what he made of them. The other three albums were by known Soul artists (one very well known), and I sought his opinion. Without any arm twisting, he came to the same conclusion I did. The Modernists set was the best of the bunch. So what of the music? Well, if name dropping might give you an idea of the content of the album, well here goes. Billy and Druw have been working with Don-e, Omar, Elisha Laverne and Noel McKoy. Not a bad line-up of U.K. talent is it? The album features 13, mainly dance orientated tracks. Comparisons with Incognito are not inappropriate, and I am sure if Bluey heard this set, he would be flattered. Billy told me this album has been a real labour of love. I can hear that throughout the set. Individual tracks are really down to the listener, although I would say any buyer would be spoilt for choice regarding picking favourites. Omar really excels on the track 'Woah!', which would make a great 45 release.I think this set will be wearing out many dancefloors over the coming weeks. Previews of the album will be on Peter Youngs Jazz FM show in the coming couple of weeks. Nice release Billy. By the way, if you miss PY's show on Saturday, you can stream it during the week, anytime, from the Jazz FM website. Retail wise, well, when Billy lets me know, I'll let you know....
http://www.jazzfm.com/on-air/shows/py/
The Whispers Orchestra's album retails at CD Baby right now, and came as a complete surprise to this listener. I wasn't aware this album was in the pipeline at all! The guys have recruited the likes of The Whispers, Phil Perry, Russell Thompkins JR. (The Stylistics), Alyson Williams and Tracy Hazzard, as featured vocalists on this great 16 track release. The band feature the members Grady, Emilio, Percy, Sweet, Valentino, Jamie, Reggie and Dante, and the Whispers sound is prominent throughout the album. Nicolas Caldwell contributes liner notes on the CD Baby website. The Whispers overall sound is beautifully captured on the song 'Maybe This Time', which is Soul Music just about as good as it gets. Unlike the Whispers own recent Gospel release, this album is a more secular release. Phil Perry gets a work out on the song 'Can I?' Lovely song. Phil has not been well recently, so we hope he is on the road to a full recovery. Russell Thompkins is let loose on the mid-tempo song 'Family', which is another top drawer piece of Soul Music. All told, a very surprising and welcome new release for 2010.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/WhispersOrchestra
Jeff Ramsey is a new singer and songwriter to me. He is a graduate from the Berklee College Of Music, and has toured with many great artists including Lalah Hathaway, Al Jarreau, Patrice Rushen and Maxwell to name but a few. Di-Lee from Soulchoonz kindly sent me Jeff's album, which arrived just before Christmas. Jeff e-mailed me himself, which was a pleasant surprise, as on listening to his album, I thought the set was one of the better album releases around at the moment. Jeff told me he had been working with the excellent James Day recently. James's own Expansion album was one of last years better releases, so I guess quality attracts quality in the musical scheme of things! Jeff has an easy vocal delivery, which he embellishes with some complimentary musical accompaniment, which, in turn, makes the album very listenable. 'Move On (Back In The Day)' is a very nice song, which is a fine example of whereabouts the better Soul Music being made thesedays ought to be positioned. Very nice song. 'I Know That You Want 2' is another winner in this house, as is 'Fly So High'. The best track, for these old ears, here is the thoughtful midtempo song 'Happy On Hold', which many folks will relate to lyrically. Great song. You can pick this set up at Soul Brother or CD Baby, so no problem in adding this to the new year collection. Something to spend those pennies on your aunt gave you at Christmas! This is a very nice album indeed.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/jefframsey
• Emi Tawata Sings - Emi Tawata / Chazz Dixon - Love Notes / Marc Staggers - Then & Now
This is an odd time of the year. Christmas passes away very quickly, and the New Year looms with all it's unknowns, and the World is, frankly, quite a scary place right now. Folks seem frustrated on the street, understandably, as the news reader tells us of austere times ahead. Music has always ridden recessions well. In fact, it blossoms, as the resultatant nightlife that accompanies the genre gives folks a release from the day to day depressions. 2009 was a bumper year for music, and I am sure 2010 will be likewise. At the turn of every year, the stragglers from late December, become the 'points of note' in the early days of the new year, and here are three albums which fall into that category very nicely.
Emi Tawata is a new name to me. She hails from Okinawa and, following several E.P. releases, she has constructed this nice little set of songs for her label, Techesko Records. Emi's sound is someplace neighbouring the sound of Swing Out Sister, without perhaps Corinne and Andy's edgy Sixties influenced leanings. Emi has a voice which won't break the sound barrier, although, her adopted discipline of remaining very much within her vocal boundaries really does pay dividends on this set of strong melodies, partly sung in mainly Japanese, and partly in English. Either language doesn't detract from the accessibility of the song, which really is beautifully realized on the song 'Toki No Sora', which is, perhaps, my favourite song around right now. I used my language translator on my Mac here to find out what 'Toki No Sora' meant. According to the best 2010 technology available right now....it means 'Toki No Sora'!! All clear now! Of the other songs on offer 'Baby, Come Close To Me' had a very appealing 'Summer Madness' thing going on. Nice song. 'Naturally' got the thumbs up, as did 'Eternity' and the dancer 'Into You'. I know Emi won't mind me saying that this set isn't the next 'What's Going On', but it is a very nicely sung and constructed album, which made the transition from the old year into the new year, a very pleasant one for this listener. Recommended very highly.
http://www.myspace.com/emitawata
One thing I know about Chazz Dixon, before I read any blurb about the man, is he is a big fan of Smokey Robinson! Throughout this set I can hear inflections of Smokey's music interspersed within several songs. 'You Waited Too Long' is very, very Smokey, which gives an indication of the vocal delivery of this new singer. The label Chazz records for is the Da'Soul Recordings Group, with this resulting album on retail at CD Baby right now. That is great, as you can go take a listen to the album at that site. As well as the track already mentioned, there are 10 other melodies on show here. Other great tracks that Smokey never recorded....but appear on this album!!....are....'Don't You Understand', (the aptly titled) 'The Things That You Do', 'I Can't Do Farewell' and 'Baby Come Back'. The only drawback of this set, is that the arrangements could do with a little more substance, which is a shame as the songs are of a very high standard and deserve better, however, that should not distract from the fact that this is a very fine independent release.
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ChazzDixon7
Marc Staggers album I am late with, however, I couldn't let this set pass by without giving a positive nod to this singer, for what is a very good modern Soul release. Di-Lee, from Soulchoonz, very kindly sent me a copy of this album prior to Christmas, and I am very pleased she did so. As with Chazz's album, this album has inflections of another Soul singer embedded into the music and vocal delivery. With Chazz, we were talking about Smokey, with Marc we are talking about Luther. Marc must be a fan of that great vocalist. Marc's album features 10 new songs, very nicely penned, very listenable, and charming in each tracks own way. One of the best compliments I could pay to Marc, is, if this set was available for Luthers interpretation in 2010, I am sure the great man would take him up on the offer straight away. Marc is a Washington based singer, who has performed with Mom and Pop Winans, amongst other singers. He certainly has a very nice addition to his own portfolio here, with every song strongly penned, delivered concisely and clearly. Favourite? 'If I Was Your Lover' is a pretty strong contender. Very nice song, in amongst an album with no filler tracks, all told. Highly recommended.
http://www.myspace.com/marcstaggers
• Mario Biondi - If / Marilyn Ashford Brown - Just Doing Me! / Angie Stone - Unexpected
Mario Biondi has become the perfect example of an artist who should have had a huge pop hit via his single release 'This Is What You Are', but failed however, as a result of the place the music industry is situated thesedays. Mario will never make it to an 'Italy's got talent...(but not on this programme)', style of televsion debacle, mainly as he is far too good! This Sicilian singer first came to my attention on hearing the 'What You Are' tune on Peter Young's Jazz FM radio show. At that time, the umbrella title of the band went under the name of Was-A-Bee. His 'Handful Of Soul' 2006 album contained a re-recorded version, which saw the light of day via the Schema imprint. 'This Is What You Are' became a 45 release again, which did make some waves on the continent, but failed to score in the U.K. and U.S. due to the pre-occupation of the industry with sub standard talent shows.This pre-occupation with the 'celebration of stupidity', which permeates the media presently, means that the likes of Mario are sidelined, all told. Mario, in the meantime, has been getting on with business, performing in the past with the late Ray Charles amongst others. In 2009, Mario has found a home at Tattica Srl Records, and releases a follow-up set to the 'Handful' album, simply entitled 'If'. 'Handful Of Soul' has become a mainstay at many of the better radio stations, almost becoming part of the musical furniture. To follow that modern classic would always have been a very difficult feat, however, Mario has pulled the rabbit out of the proverbial musical hat here. 'If' is a terrific album. 15 tracks of the highest standard. Some original recordings (of which 'Love Dreamer' is a current personal favourite), and some fine cover versions of 'Little B's Poem' and the Gil Scott Heron evergreen, 'Winter In America'. Mario Biondi is hugely deserving of any success which comes his way. His unique vocal sound makes the singer instantly recognizable. He is well equipped for a long and durable career, with this set being a fine addition to his curriculum vitae. Check Soul Brother and Amazon for copies. Wonderful stuff.
Marilyn Ashford Brown has been in touch with me over the last couple of weeks. She is very friendly and hugely interesting as a performer. I am sure that many of the more discerning Soul fans out there will be aware of the Dexter Wansel produced group Sass, from the 1980's. Indeed, the twelve inch single 'I Didn't Mean It At All' is on the shelves here. The track at the time reminded me very much of the excellent Jones Girls material Dexter had a hand in during the preceeding years. Prior to Sass, Marilyn sang backgrounds on some hugely memorable songs, including 'Can You Handle It' by the late Sharon Redd, 'Stretching Out' by Gail Adams and 'Check Out The Groove' by the excellent Bobby Thurston. During 2003 and 2004, Marilyn underwent some personal losses within her family life, which held up her career for a short while, however, she is now recording some fine material, releasing 'Still Standing' in 2006, and 'Just Doing Me!' for her Ash2Brown Entertainment Records imprint in 2009. On listening to the new material, it becomes very apparent that her previous recordings still influence her newer material. I joked with Marilyn regarding a comment I made in an e-mail to her, where I described her music as 'having a touch of Modern Soul with Old School sensibilities'. After I wrote that I thought to myself 'that sounds a little contrived you old fool!', however, it did seem appropriate to her new sound. The set opens with the fine dancer 'I've Got A Feeling' (echoes of 'It Seems To Hang On' here methinks), which sounds as if it could have been recorded 20 minutes ago.....or 20 years ago! Really got the toes tapping here. She is in very fine voice throughout, with a particular favourite song of mine receiving the 'Ashford Brown treatment'. 'Louisiana Sunday Afternoon' is a great song, which really creates a mood for that particular part of the World. I have versions here by Dianne Schurr and Patti Austin. This take is certainly up there with those interpretations of that tune. Other personal favourites here are the lovely ballad 'Gonna Give Love (One More Try)' and the melodic midtempo mood of 'Anything (In The World)'. Trials and tribulations may have been the experiences for Marilyn during the first half of this decade, however, she has certainly has found inner strength from within, and this album is certainly a very welcome addition to the better set of releases in 2009. Fine music from a very nice woman.
Angie Stone's album 'Unexpected' certainly lives up to it's name! I wasn't aware that this album was on it's way until Charles Waring (http://www.soulandjazzandfunk.com/) told me it was an imminent release only last week! Thanks Charles (and Bill). This album is Angie's second set for the latest incarnation of the legendary Stax Records imprint. 'I Ain't Hearing You' looks set to be the initial single release, and deservedly so as it is just about as an infectious tune as you are likely to hear this year. Angie's main asset is her 'heart of Soul' twinned with her very unique vocal delivery. When you hear Angie doing her thing, you know just who it is on your stereo / i-Pod. Every incarnation where Angie has had vocal input in previous years, the releases have been noteworthy, whether with the Sequence, Vertical Hold, Devox, or as a solo artist. Sure, as a singer, she will have pressure placed upon her to record a certain type of material. Fashion of the day if you wish. These odd tracks sit very uncomfortably in amongst those other songs of quality. 'Tell Me' is a case in point. The song the set could have perhaps been kept for a compilation or some other place, which is a shame, as the high points on this album amount to some of Angie's best ever recordings. If you skipped onto the next track after the song mentioned, the listener arrives at 'Think Sometimes', which is a song of the highest standard. Apparently the song was inspired by her late father. To quote Angie, 'It’s funny how people can slip away so fast, and suddenly they’re in your past'. Amen to that assertion Angie. Her father would be hugely proud of her, if he had got to hear this song. 'Think' is followed on by 'I Found A Keeper', which is another killer tune. Ralph Tee at Jazz FM is already rotating this song on his Sunday show. He is a man of great taste and can recognize a corker of a tune when he sees / hears one. 'Hey Mr DJ' is another great tune on this fine 12 track set. Angie Stone albums, in the past, have an almost 'buy blind' aspect to them. This set is no exception. 'Unexpected' will surely be in many Christmas stockings and quite rightly so. Highly recommended.
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