Taking the Soul charts by storm, the Lab Addicts come to you from South Orange, New Jersey, USA. This, their 3rd studio released album, is a CD with all songs self written, produced and performed by the Lab Addicts, with the track ‘More Than Friends’ co-produced by Quan Bell. This catchy 8-track album was released in February 2006 on the SoulChoonz Record Label in conjunction with Di-Lee Promotions Ltd with modern Soul music followers in mind. The CD gives you high calibre sounding production; slick vocals and all songs offer you a unique listening experience with a fresh edge, featuring some re-mixes of previously released material. The Lab Addicts had a successful trip to the UK in May 2006, where they played at a “Luxury Soul Weekender” to a very appreciative audience. JCT (John Thomason) lead singer sang in the choir of his father’s church and has produced his own music since the age of 10. JCT’s sister Teresa joins group members - singer/musician Robert Betrus and singer Marcel Brooks. All Soulful voices which meld well together. The first track ‘Move All Night’ is a quality, funky dance number tempting you to get up and do the “L.A. 2-step”. Being over 6 minutes long, this will fit well on the dance floors of modern Soul rooms. ‘Tonight’ continues to take you on the dance floor, as does the sensuous ‘Don’t You Know’. ‘Groove On’ says “I ‘aint come to stand around, DJ’s putting it down and gettin’ my groove on”. The track ends with just a hint of “Frank Zappa” influenced voice distortion. ‘Just For Love’ is a soulful balled sung with depth and feeling. ‘Apologize’ - a catchy number sung in part, by Teresa. ‘More Than Friends’ whose lyrics are self-evident from the title, is a harmonious, sexy and beautifully controlled groove to chill and envelop you. The bonus track ‘Movement’ completes the CD with an up-tempo 80’s style dancer, which I defy you not to move to. The track tells you to, “Reach for your goal, believing, don’t let go, seeking ‘till you know, achieving, achieving” and “Never give up” has funky guitar rhythms, the group pumping their positive message through you. Without a bad track on the album, you are delivered coarse, soulful Rap/Hip Hop/R&B and Funk, guaranteed to keep you on the dance floor. A must have limited edition CD, which takes Soul back to the way it should be, so make sure you get yourself a copy.
Click on to www.soulchoonz.com where the album can be purchased.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Marcell & The Truth’s fourteen-track album is entitled “Hopes Too High” on Basement Boys Records. Written by Marcell, with some tracks co-written by Phil LeMaire (Devine Nature), Cornell Showell and Therese Easley. Based in Baltimore, all songs are arranged by Marcell and produced and mixed by Teddy Douglas. A consistently good album which you will want to listen to, tackling friendships, loneliness, bitterness and his walk with God. The first track ‘Never Leave You Lonely’ sets the tone – an uplifting, dance tune. Second track ‘Hopes Too High’ is a soulful song, saying his lady simplifies the complicated world he lives in and “how great the gift of love provides”. Onto the title track of the album ‘Hopes Too High’, a good tune which questions a special relationship. ‘Breathe Love’ – all day - is one of my favourite tracks on the album with infectious rhythms, making you sway to the music and enticing you into the inspiring lyrics of “we can change the world if we learn to give”. It ‘Aint Over’ being a funkier tune and ‘Maybe I’m Not The Man’ a mid tempo ballad stating, “if it’s not right – maybe we should move on”. ‘Coming Home To You’ has a blues feel at the opening with an intensely up-tempo ending. You will find tasteful beats on ‘Evil Woman’ and ‘They Don’t Know’ has sexy vocals on a bass filled funkier track – another favourite of mine. The Jazz tinged ‘Cold Rain’ questions his faith saying “he is tired of the pain, his house is filled with many things, but feels so empty ‘cos love is missing, feeling like God has abandoned him”. Then straight onto ‘Time Stops’ with sweet percussion sounds, the music stopping to give emphasis to the lyrics/song title. ‘It’s Been Too Long’ is a guitar and drum driven track and I enjoyed how the guitars ‘talk’ you through the song. Heartfelt lyrics with cries of “why did you have to judge me! Why can’t you just love me?” The last track is a funkier track called ‘It ‘Aint Over’. Evident throughout the album are the clever melodies and quality of the musicians. Marcell and his group is a band, you know would put on quite a show if you saw them live. This studio produced, sensitive album is trying to make sense of life and religion and is like a soothing balm in a world full of deep cuts.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Omar, born to a Chinese Jamaican Father and Indian Jamaican mother in Cantebury, UK, released ‘Sing (if you want it) in May 2006. An eagerly awaited 14-track album brought to you on Ether Records, after too long a gap between his last CD. The pause in recording was due to him setting up his own studio and recording label. Some things however, are worth the wait. Omar gives us an album, which will be at home on the dance floors and plies us with his own gumbo of bass and funk. Producing and arranging all tracks, except for four of them, which were co-produced by his brother Scratch Professer. Omar had writing input on all songs with some being co-written. The CD starts with a mostly instrumental intro called ‘Lift Off’ then onto the title track ‘Sing’, - a catchy number. ‘Be A Man’ features powerful vocals by JC Bentley with trumpet, trombone and sax input, giving it a Latin/Jazz feel. ‘Kiss It Right’ has a funky beat driven Stevie Wonder vibe and ‘All For Me’ features Angie Stone. ‘Your Mess’ is once again a good beat number. This is where Omar shines. I enjoyed hearing the congas in ‘It’s So’ creating that summertime carnival feel. ‘Gimme Sum’ features rap artists Common, Rodney P, Canitbe and Ashman with the sound of the flute meandering in and out to feed that laid back, soulful vibe. ‘Feeling You’ must be Omar’s favourite track on the album as it features his long time idol Stevie Wonder, a good song that is guitar and drum influenced. ‘Lay It Down’ is a collaboration with Estelle, with hypnotic beat and rapp message to the youth to lay their guns down and stay away from crime. Onto ‘I Want It’ and the funky track ‘Stylin’ – once again featuring Angie Stone - Omar saying his lady gives him palpitations! ‘Ghana Emotion’ has a Jazzy African beat feel to end the CD, with summery tones, giving details of his parents up-rooting from Ghana “to seek their fortune” and ending up in “a big old house with sea view”. Bearing testimony to being in the music industry for sixteen years, Omar spreads his heavy bass tracks throughout the album, this being somewhat his trademark. The album is a little bit samey at times, but still definitely needed in your collection. Omar - don’t leave it as long until your next album…

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Independent Gospel artist Avery Stafford, son of a preacher, delivers to us his fifth beautifully controlled album called “Undignified”. The album boasts some of Bay Areas finest Christian musicians such as Mark Kenoly (Rolls Royce), Tony Bolivar (Andrae Crouch) and Tim Abbott (Kingdom Voice) together with excellent producers whom have worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Frank Zappa and Fleetwood Mac. All the musicians involved give the album a quality feel, with powerful lyrics by Avery (writing all but two of the tracks). To start, we have an introduction, to welcome us all to the “Undignified Show” leading us into a pleasing modern arrangement of ‘How Sweet It Is (2b Loved By You)’, incorporating rap lyrics provided by Jared Duba (aka Jesus Disciple). Gospel track two ‘Everything I Own’ wraps you round in a smooth blanket, with comforting lyrics and guitar sounds, then onto ‘I Am’, a rousing praise track, with flute accompaniment. ‘Get My Praise On’ steps up a gear and provides backing harmonies as Avery sings; “I wanna shout out a groove!” ‘Hold On’ is beautiful, Avery putting his trust in Jesus. Geoff Moore and Steven Chapman write ‘Listen To Our Hearts’, with additional lyrics by Avery. I can see why this song is on the album. It is a fitting Christian composition, whose lyrics penetrate from within, with Avery’s tone befitting the song to perfection along with the sound of the saxophone. ‘Family’ has a Carlos Santana feel with the message “being one family”. ‘Eyes Of A Child’ - a powerful track, building as it goes along, to a flute piece and onto the ‘Valley Church Kids’ choir with their young, innocent sound as Avery & his musicians rouse everyone to join in the praise. ‘Father And Mother’ is a simple, soulful tribute to his own parents saying, “Every day was a celebration,” treasuring the way they served and sacrificed, saying “My heart is yours for the rest of my life”. ‘Tears Of The Lamb’ a calming, praise filled tune, the CD ending with my favourite from the album ‘One’. Avery saying, “When will we see His answered prayer? Will it be in our lifetime?” The question being asked from Jesus; “When would His believers all be one?” If Avery’s message on this CD was to inspire and uplift, it certainly worked for me and left me wanting to hear more from this artist, who has not resorted to commercialism, but has followed his heart and soul. Undignified certainly not, this album is worthy of much honour and respect. Enjoy!

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Harlem, Georgia born Ebony Evans is a woman with a desire and goal. After meeting the legendary James Brown at a radio party at the age of 12 and being a contestant on the popular television show “Star Search” she has and is still fulfilling her goal as being an R&B “nostalgic soul music” artist. She now presents her debut album “Luv’s Fire.” Her first track “Luv’s fire” provides her listeners a nice groovy, happy, nostalgic funky tune. Ebony Evans continues this up beat nostalgic sound with other tracks such as “Loving you is all I wanna do” “Push my button” and “Do ya wanna” while tracks such as “Can it be” and “Yes I do” serve to slow down the pace in between the upbeat tracks. Her 1980’s nostalgic influence on her songs will convince listeners that this was a time period that Ebony loves (if that was her intention.) Ebony’s last track “It’s music” sounds similar to Parliament’s “Give up the funk” and small parts of “Whatcha gonna do about it honey” bares little similarity to Cherelle and Alexander O’Neil’s “Saturday love” and “You are my rainbows end” sounds somewhat similar to New Edition’s “I’m leaving you again.” This evocative influence spills into Ebony’s lyrics as themes such as “being in love,” “being with you” and “missing you” centre her songs which can suggest another reason why Ebony adores nostalgic music. Ebony Evans’ voice is smooth, angelic and at times, sounds similar to the late Minnie Ripperton minus the high pitch squeals that Minnie is known to do. This is a good suggestion as to why Ebony Evans’ voice is tolerable. Unlike other R&B soul singers who sometimes feel the need to scream and sing through their throat and lungs to gain appeal from their audience, Ebony’s voice does not overpower her music, nor does she scream at the top of her lungs. However she is still able to grab a listener’s attention. “Luv’s Fire” is definitely an indication that Ebony has reached her goal and is still striving for more.

Dwight Barrett [Just Soul]