Robin Duhe | Life

Tags

African American, Bass, Maze, Robin Duhe, Soul Music

Robin Duhe | Life – [Blaise Two Enterprises, 2009]

Robin Duhe - Life

Bassist/Composer Robin Duhe has emerged to the forefront after performing for three decades with the R&B group, Maze Featuring Frankie Beverly. Duhe took an unexpected turn in 2004 with the release of his first solo CD, Do It Duhe. He has now launched is second CD, Life.

Duhe was born in Oakland, California. He came from a large musical family. In the third grade, Duhe learned to play the trumpet. In high school, he switched to the French horn and performed in various school orchestras and bands. The best moment of Duhe’s high school band experience was performing at the New York World’s Fair. Eventually, Duhe changed from wind to string instruments. This occurred when his mother gave him a four-string guitar. He strummed that guitar like a bass and found his niche, the bass guitar.

Ironically, during the writing of Life, Duhe suffered the devastating illness of cancer. He wrote the title tune, Life (Gets in the Way), after his recovery. That song echoes Duhe’s personal experiences in dealing with the disease. The opening line of the title tune is straightforward and honest. It says, “Sorry, I can’t make it today; suddenly my world has changed.” As a whole, the Life CD is stirring music that is filled with the emotions and the life experiences of a true artist.

..:: Source: CDBaby.com ::..

Sade To Release First Single

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Pop Music, Sade, Soul Music

‘Soldier Of Love‘ – Her Forthcoming New Album

NEW YORK, Dec. 7 /PRNewswire/ — Epic Records is pleased to announce the release of “Soldier Of Love,” the highly anticipated first single off Sade’s forthcoming new body of work by the same name.

“Soldier Of Love” which Sade co-produced with Mike Pela, was written by Sade along with longtime collaborators Andrew Hale, Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman. The track, featuring a pulsating and anthemic drum beat along with haunting vocals that Sade is known for, is set to hit airwaves December 8(th) and will kick off the countdown for SOLDIER OF LOVE. Recorded in England and set for release WORLDWIDE on February 8(th), SOLDIER OF LOVE marks Sade’s first studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000.

The first single “Soldier Of Love” will premiere on Tuesday, December 8(th) at 7am EST on www.sade.com.

Known for their one of a kind timeless sound, Sade has enjoyed phenomenal success both internationally and stateside throughout the span of their twenty-five year career. Since the release of their debut album, Diamond Life in 1984 the band has seen all five of their studio albums land in the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart selling a total of more than 50 million albums worldwide to date. They’ve been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards and have won three Grammy Awards – first in 1986 for Best New Artist, then in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for “No Ordinary Love”, and again in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock.

..:: Source: PRNewswire.com via Epic Records ::..

Leee John | Feel My Soul (Sensuality)

Tags

Jazz, Leee John, Male Vocalist, Soul Music

Leee John | Sensuality – [LJ MUSIC, 2009]

Leee John, Feel My Soul Sensuality

Feel My SOUL – Soul – jazz , cd /dvd making of recorded in Rochfort, France by 80s soul legend of 80s soul funk group IMAGINATION debut soul -jazz album a combination of soul acoustic jazz and rnb jazz funk with a unique classic organic feel.

The original came from my soul jazz CD/DVD FEEL MY SOUL – www.feelmysoul.co.uk. Sensuality was last year one of the top ten played records in America”s SMOOTH JAZZ chart, hence interest from BRAD LEBEAU U.S. dance promotion company to release a dance version.

Another tidbit. While in the far east I bumped into djs from Manchester’s Haciena who told me they ended the night with JUST AN ILLUSION (recently recorded by MARIAH CAREY , The PHARCYDE < mashups by TUPAC, JENNIFER HUDSON , JAYZ – check www.leeejohn.com videos.

..:: Source: CDBaby.com and Sensualitylj.com ::..

New Album Somi’s “If The Rains Come First”

Tags

African American, African Music, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Soul Music

Out Now Exclusively at Digital Retailers CD in stores in USA/Canada on October 27

Somi

When Somi was growing up, her mother told her that the rain, ever unpredictable, could be as much a blessing as a challenge. The blessings might come before the rain, or they could come after – it’s all in the timing, she said. That notion has stayed with the charismatic singer and songwriter all her life and now provides a metaphorical focus for her third album, If The Rains Come First. The album is a stunning collection of self-penned story-based songs, a meditation on opening ourselves up to life’s blessings and challenges much in the way that we accept the rain and all that it brings.

Somi

Singing in English and three East African languages, Somi’s vocal delivery is subtle yet the power she exerts is enormous. The percussive thrust at the heart of African music is also a fundamental component of If The Rains Come First, brought to bear by an all-star African rhythm section of Ivorian percussionist Madou Koné, Senegalese guitarist Herve Samb, and Nigerian bassist Michael Olatuja. Somi recorded the album’s 11 songs in Paris in order to take advantage of the city’s sizable African music scene, then finished it in New York to avail herself of the world’s greatest jazz community. Among the exemplary musicians who provide the coloring that fleshes out Somi’s songs are longtime collaborators Toru Dodo on Fender Rhodes and piano, and guitarists Liberty Ellman, David Gilmore and Michele Locatelli.

Optimism, conviction and resilience are hallmarks of Somi’s new creations – these are songs of survival and awareness. “Prayer To the Saint of the Brokenhearted,” reflects on the sense of helplessness and hopelessness one often feels after heartache, while serving as a reminder of the possibilities of faith and renewal. At the core of each of Somi’s highly personal and intimate tales are shared emotions and experiences of love, life, loss and learning. “Enganjyani,” which means ‘most beloved’ in Rutooro, the language spoken by Somi’s Ugandan mother, refers to, as she puts it, “the memory of whispered prayer and being haunted by a past lover.” The track features the legendary Hugh Masekela, a longtime Somi fan who has become a mentor, guesting on trumpet. “Rising,” a song about faith and navigating life’s challenges, is all forward motion, a flawless juxtaposition of sizzling rhythm, instantly memorable melody and a vocal style that JazzTimes magazine describes as “the earthy gutsiness of Nina Simone blended with the vocal beauty of Dianne Reeves.”

Cassandra Wilson | Closer to You: The Pop Side

Tags

African American, Blues, Cassandra Wilson, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Pop Music, Soul Music

I know, you’re probably saying were have you been dude this recording by Cassandra Wilson came out back in April of this year. Yes, you’re so right! However, being a huge fan of her “Loverly” project I couldn’t resist myself after listening to this record on several occasions undoubtedly set the tone for a new season I’ve encountered. Perhaps, I’ll say this about her. The signature of her sound is unmistakable, while her voice is deeply provocative she transforms each song to perfection, and her timbre … wow simply just does it for me. It’s true, a lot of these songs on “The Pop Side” you’ve heard before. Nevertheless, Cassandra is truly one of the most unique song stylists on the music scene today regardless of genre. ~ The Urban Flux

Cassandra Wilson

Cassandra Wilson | Closer to You: The Pop Side [Blue Note Records]

Singer Cassandra Wilson is a master interpreter of American music. With her unmistakable honeyed husky voice and quaintly rustic aesthetic she has made intimate and personal statements with jazz, blues, R&B, country, and pop chestnuts- few artists can reveal the sensual earthiness of the Monkees tune “The Last Train to Clarksville.”

Closer to You: The Pop Side celebrates the finest pop moments from her seven album, decade plus legacy with Blue Note. In addition to the aforementioned 1960s nugget, this release features her stark and achingly vulnerable take on U2’s “Love Is Blindness” as well as her transcendent take on Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” that evokes fireflies and shooting stars. Among its 11 tracks are favorites from Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, and a tenderly romantic version of Sting’s “Fragile“.

Source: Amazon.com

Ledisi | Turn Me Loose

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Ledisi, Neo Soul, Soul Music

Considering all the hot jazz releases out this week [ Terence Blanchard, Robert Glasper, Hargrove, Brian Bromberg, Najee, Stefon Harris, James Carter, Bela Fleck etc] music enthusiast must be in awe because this is possibly the biggest new music week to this year. With that said, after hearing this lady live on the Tom Joyner Morning Show earlier this week I couldn’t resist posting this little diamond in the ruff … her name is Ledisi. “Turn Me Loose,” is her second major label recording. Now, for those of you who are looking for “real” soul music, killer vocals, rockin’ yet funky music then Ledisi without a doubt has got the juice … she’s what’s up!

Ledisi, Turn Me Loose

Ledisi | Turn Me Loose [Verve Forecast, 2009]

Ledisi wanted to make a few bold artistic changes this time out. But just before she started work on her sophomore Verve release, Turn Me Loose, she hit a wall. The singer-songwriter had a bad case of writer’s block that stretched for six months. Ledisi was petrified as she tried to figure out how to follow up her 2007 Verve debut, Lost & Found. The album garnered strong reviews and two Grammy® nominations, including one for best new artist.

She also reunited with producer Rex Rideout, who contributed greatly to the sound of Lost & Found. But for Turn Me Loose, Ledisi didn’t want to play it safe. With help from the four other producers (Ivan & Carvin, Chief Xcel, Chucky Thompson & Fyre Dept), the artist braided brilliant strains of the different sounds she loved while growing up in Oakland, Calif. Rock, blues, classic soul, funk and hip-hop are all fused together throughout Turn Me Loose. Ledisi often merges the old with the new.

Source: Amazon.com

Quincy Jones | You’ve Got It Bad Girl

Tags

African American, Contemporary Jazz, Soul Music

Quincy Jones | You’ve Got It Bad Girl [A&M/Verve, 1973] Classic Contemporary Jazz

Quincy Jones

Sweet funky Q for the 70s — easily one of the coolest albums ever from Quincy Jones! The album’s got a very heavy electric vibe — one that’s kind of a laidback take on the styles that Jones was forging in some of his 70s soundtrack work — served up with massive work on the keyboards from Dave Grusin and Bob James, the latter of whom brings some of his own CTI vibe strongly into play! The basslines are great too — often dipping, stepping, and turning wonderfully — keeping things laidback and mellow, but always making for some sort of a groove, even on the slower tracks too.

There’s just a bit of vocals on the record — handled by Valerie Simpson on two tracks, and Quincy on another — but the main focus here is on the instrumentation, which is completely sublime. Titles include Quincy’s great remake of “Summer In The City“, an oft-sought sample track — plus versions of “Superstition“, “Daydreaming”, and “You’ve Got It Bad Girl” — and the great originals “Chump Change“, “Love Theme From The Getaway“, “Eyes Of Love“, and “Sanford & Son Theme.”

~ Source: Dusty Groove.com

Mark Whitfield | Songs Of Wonder

Tags

African American, Guitar, Soul Music

Mark Whitfield | Songs Of Wonder – [Marksman Productions, 2009]

Mark Whitfield - Songs of Wonder

You’ve seen him with Chris Botti! You’ve heard his solo LPs on Warner Bros, Verve, and more! Here’s Mark Whitfield’s latest CD – a tribute to the great Stevie Wonder, with all the raw and personal emotion that only Whitfield can bring to classic songs! The CD features Chris Botti on trumpet, John Mayer on guitar and Sy Smith on vocals and of course, Whitfield’s stunning expertise on guitar… It makes for a must-have for jazz-aficionados and Stevie Wonder fans alike.

Mark Whitfield graduated from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, the world’s foremost institute for the study of Jazz and modern American music, in the Spring of 1987 having studied composition and arranging as well as all styles of guitar performance. Upon graduation, he returned to his native New York to embark on a career as a jazz guitarist that afforded him the opportunity to collaborate with many legendary artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Art Blakey, Clark Terry, Jimmy Smith, Carmen McCrae, Herbie Hancock, Quincy Jones, Jack McDuff, Betty Carter, Shirley Horn, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Burt Bacharach, Joe Williams, Wynton Marsalis, Bradford Marsalis, Stanley Turrentine and his greatest teacher and mentor George Benson.

..:: Source: CDBaby.com ::..

Heather Headley | Audience of One

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Gospel Music, Heather Headley, Soul Music

Heather Headley

Heather Headley | Audience of One [Gospel | EMI, 2009] | Music Review

You know, it’s not very often that we will steer away from our beloved jazz at The Urban Flux. However, as music enthusiast you know good music is simply what it is …. good music. That said, every generation unveils a multi-faceted talent that’s fresh, stunning, powerful, and delivers sweet melodies and harmonic symmetry that beckons us to seriously take note.

Therefore, on this occasion I’m compelled to acknowledged with respect that I’m amazed by not only her voice but with lyrical content on “Audience of One” by the dynamic vocal artistry of  Tony award winner Heather Headley. Surprised, and pleasantly so. Being a daughter of a preacher, the gifted and beautiful songstress describes this album as being a “natural transition” and how she was uncomfortable with the provocative lyrics submitted to her on two previous records.

Lori Jenaire | Fruition

Tags

African American, Female Vocalist, Jazz, Soul Music

Lori Jenaire

Lori Jenaire | Fruition [Music/Review]

As music lovers, we’re constantly in search to discover the next quality artist to add to our music collection. In this case, is she unique vocally or similar to artist like Anita Baker, Phyllis Hyman, Lalah Hathaway, or even song stylist Angela Bofill? Recently, I was blessed to hear new music by a relatively fresh voice on the music scene vocalist, composer and musician named Lori Jenaire of Chicago.