
Album Review: Kirk Whalum – Romance Language
By Peggy Oliver
(Advance Review - Scheduled for Release Feb. 14th, 2012)
One
of jazz’s unlikely pairs, depending on who you might speak with,
stirred some magic in the early sixties. John Coltrane was undeniably a
groundbreaking modern saxophone player who leaned more towards the
avant-gardism school of thinking. After choosing crooner Johnny
Hartman for an Impulse! recording project of romantic ballads came to
fruition in 1963, Coltrane immediately connected with Hartman’s melodic
and sensitive phrasing, which was the self-titled project’s driving
force. To continue, please click "MORE"!
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Album Review: Boyz II Men | Twenty
by Brent Faulkner
Veteran male R&B group Boyz II Men celebrate twenty years in the
game with their most recent studio album appropriately titled Twenty.
Twenty is a double-disc effort, comprised of twenty three tracks; the
first disc is new material while the second disc is re-recordings of the
groups biggest hits. Overall, the two-disc set is more than what fans
might ask for, particularly the re-recorded disc, but showcases that the
pre-eminent, best selling R&B group are still in top-notch form
twenty years later. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

Album Review: Amy Winehouse | Lioness: Hidden Treasures
by Brent Faulkner
When British soul singer Amy Winehouse passed away in July 2011 at age
27, the world lost a talented musician way too soon. While many
predicted Winehouse’s battle with demons would be her ultimate and
perhaps untimely demise, the world was saddened that such a distinct,
passionate, and soulful voice was gone so soon. Prior to her untimely
death, Winehouse had been working slowly on a third effort, much of
which was unfinished. 2011 compilation Lioness: Hidden Treasures
includes a mix of old, new, and unreleased recordings. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

Album Review: Mary J. Blige | My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act I)
by Brent Faulkner
Any artist, regardless of genre, would be hard pressed to follow-up one
of their most pivotal releases with a worthwhile sequel. On My Life
II... The Journey Continues (Act I), that is what R&B standout Mary
J. Blige attempts to do. The result is a pleasant effort, but an effort
that never eclipses the original My Life, nor does it eclipse Blige’s
modern masterpiece, The Breakthrough. Despite this and some humdrum,
less distinct moments, there is enough solid material to make My Life II
an enjoyable, though not necessarily the most important or vital effort
in Blige’s rich discography. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

Album Review: Carl Thomas | Conquer
By Stella Titus-Ayala
Carl Thomas and his long awaited and anticipated New Album “CONQUER” hits you with smooth contemporary R&B tracks like “THE NIGHT IS YOURS” and many more to come. This track just goes to show you that in his absence he was going deeper within his talent and musical vault before resurfacing with hot new sounds for the project. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

Album Review: New Foundation | Goin’ Places
By Ian Cooke
New Foundation's "Goin’ Places"
is a debut project by long time friends Curtis Harmon and Bennie Sims who
worked together as drummer and bassist respectively, for legendary contemporary jazz group, Pieces Of A Dream. Between the two of them, they have played with such artists as
George Benson, Al Jarreau, Aretha Franklin, Count Basie, Lou Rawls and
too many others to list. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

Album Review: Hart Ramsey | My Next Heartbeat
by Brent Faulkner
Producer, jazz pianist, and pastor Hart Ramsey returns with his
sophomore smooth jazz effort, My Next Heartbeat. On Heartbeat, Hart
Ramsey assembles a cast of talented musicians to support him. Having had
the opportunity of reflecting on Ramsey’s debut effort, my enthusiasm
to reflect upon his sophomore effort was high. My Next Heartbeat is
another solid album comparable at times to Ramsey’s debut, even if it is
a shade less enthralling. Throughout the thirteen solid cuts, Ramsey’s
musicianship and creativity shines brightly, even through less standout
cuts. If nothing else is notable about My Next Heartbeat, Ramsey’s
passion and musicianship are certainly present through its seventy
minute duration. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>

“The Angela Bofill Experience f/ Maysa”
Anthology - San Diego
Saturday - November 5, 2011 - 1st Set
by A. Scott Galloway
(Photos: Eric Sarmiento)
Cuban/Puerto Rican singer/songwriter Angela Bofill’s debut album, Angie, arrived in 1978 on the then-new audiophile GRP Records label. She offered a first class blend of jazz, soul, pop and Latin strains that showed tremendous promise. The quality of her music and career took several twists and turns from that point to now with most agreeing that of her ten studio recordings, the first four Arista-distributed albums in the late `70s/early `80s (and an underrated CD she recorded in 1996 for Shanachie Records titled Love in Slow Motion) are her finest. There has never been another artist quite like Bofill in that she has earned staple classics in all four of the above genres but is most lovingly recalled as a pioneering queen of the Quiet Storm. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>
Album Review: Keith Sweat | A Christmas of Love (2007)
By George Strand
(Published Dec. 10th, 2009)
The Holiday Season. Beckoned with warmth, seasonal temperature changes & gift wrapping paper scattered all over the tables & floors. Lets not forget about the many spices & candles, the outdoor home light fixtures & a traditional choice of the decorated Christmas Tree. Along with visiting family not seen in recent years & so forth. That's if you celebrate Christmas that way. Many do. Many don't. To continue, please click "MORE"!<< MORE >>