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The Makings Of Me
  The Makings Of Me  
  Recommended if you like:
- Mary J. Blige
- Fantasia Barrino
- Shanice
 
Review
Monica 'The Makings Of Me' [J Records]
 

Monica delights us with this her eagerly anticipated fourth album called “The Makings Of Me”. A 10-track CD, produced by Monica, Clive Davis and Larry Jackson, executively produced by Monica and Jermaine Dupri with associate executive producer Melinda Dancil. Born in Georgia USA in 1980, this lady has fulfilled many of her childhood dreams by becoming a Grammy winning, multi platinum artist. Monica has a soulful voice of meaning and substance and it’s a pleasure to listen to the album - dedicating the album and the rest of her life to her heart, her soul and her son, saying her heart sings a new song of love because of him…very sweet. The opening track “Everytime Tha Beat Drop” features Dem Franchize Boyz and has a sample of “Lean Wit it, Roll Wit It” and it has an intoxicating rhythmic dance beat - a good opener. The second track “A Dozen Roses (You Remind Me) starts with a sample of Curtis Mayfield’s beautiful track “The Makings Of You” and introduces us to Monica’s sweet, soulful voice. Produced by Missy Elliott who also supplies additional vocals in this well arranged song. “Sideline HO” follows and “Why Her,” a song about being betrayed by her lover for someone new; asking why her – did I get on your nerves? “Hell No (Leave Home)” features Twista…a powerful song about her baby leaving her after she had stayed with him trough all the hard times in their lives. “Doin’ Me Right” is un-mistakenly produced by Missy Elliott (once again providing additional vocals) and features a sample from “Chocolate Girl” performed by the Whispers. Saying it feels so good to be in love. “Raw” follows featuring Swizz Beatz – a well-arranged mid-tempo track. “My Everything” has a smooth soulful vibe with subtle tones about life being good. “Gotta Move On” is a track about realising there is no point in going on with the relationship, he is no longer worthy of her love, after realising he’s on the phone with someone else. The CD finishes with “Getaway” produced by Jermaine Dupri. Monica saying she’s not Superwoman or made of steel but sometimes she needs to get away from the heartache and pain that life can bring. The well-played piano intro from P.J. Morton and good string arrangement gives the song depth and the track flows…adding even more depth when the drums come in. Truthful lyrics many people will associate with. This is a well-chosen track to end the album. After the break between the last album and this, Monica did getaway and took time out. It has enabled her to come back with this strong, soulful album. Sometimes all you’ve got to have is a bit of time out to regenerate what is inside you, in a way that others can understand and relate to. Monica has done just that on this her fourth album. My only criticism was…two more tracks would have been better. However, it is a quality album so go buy it. It’s definitely worthy of your collection.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Soul Poetry
  Soul Poetry  
  Recommended if you like:
- Floetry
- Ivana Santilli
- Jill Scott
 
Review
Dajla 'Soul Poetry' [Under Cover]
 

In 2005 French neo-soul artist Dajla presented her 8-track debut album “Soul Poetry.” She now brings forth the same album title this time with 12 tracks. If you only think of Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Floetry, Eric Roberson, or D’Angelo as neo-soul artists, be prepared to remember this artist’s name as well. Sounding like Floetry and Ella Fitzgerald mixed together; Dajla tantalizes her listeners by taking them into a soulful, urban jazz journey of her thoughts, feelings and expressions. In her open track “River Tigris” tells an autobiographical story of Dajla aka “River Tigris”. She discusses her thoughts and ideas about relations in “Routine” and continues with this in “Never Too late”. She continues expressing her thoughts on the ever so smooth “Hard To Get.” She gets a little political in “I Don’t Care” where she states how she doesn’t care what anyone thinks about her interracial relationship she has with her lover who’s “skin is much darker than mine and people are watchin” despite they both come from two different cultural backgrounds. A major highlight about this album is how Dajla’s voice blends so well with her music making it inseparable. The production quality on this CD is excellent and there are just enough special effects to create an ambient hypnotic feel to this CD (i.e., Dajla’s ad-libs reverberating, and the echoing of some of the instruments.) When listening to this CD, one can instantly envision Dajla performing on stage in a dimmed light, smoky, intimate underground jazz café with her band in the background playing as her sound evokes such an environment. Moreover to this excellent album are her lyrics. Lyrics such as “pieces of the past unrevealing on my dreams screen, uncensored memories of my life” (from “Hard to Get”)”, provide a vivid illustration to the listeners of her thoughts and emotions and definitely illustrate Dajla’s passion for words. This album is entertaining on multitude levels. It entertains the mind with her views, thoughts and opinions on life, it entertains the body by providing an excellent smooth sound encompassing, jazz, smooth sounds and intertwining Dajla’s excellent vibrant voice and finally, it entertains the soul with the passion that it delivered. This is one album that definitely should be added to your soulful collection.

Dwight Barrett [Just Soul]

What's The Real Reason
  What's The Real Reason  
  Recommended if you like:
- Cleo Laine
- Elkie Brooks
- Joss Stone
 
Review
Polly Gibbons 'What's The Real Reason' [Rugged Ram]
 

Polly’s exciting 10-track album was released in October 2006 on the Rugged Ram Record Label. Recorded, produced and co-written by UK’s finest Soul artist/producer/writer - Ola Onabule. Executively produced by Maria Avgoulis and mixed at the extremely funky “Casa Del Funk Studios.” Polly surrounded herself with seasoned musicians. Jazz guitarist John Parricelli, Alex Bennett & Rob Gentry on piano, Pete Adams on Organ & Rhodes, Don Chandler on bass, Neville Malcolm upright bass, Nial Thompkins on guitar, Julian McLaren & Frank Tontch on drums and Rob Woollard on cello with vinylist Ian Brown (Aka DJ Orion). Track one “Toy Shop” has the lyrics “I will win you over” and Polly does instantly with this very strong opener. “Are You Okay?” follows, with heartfelt lyrics and low, sultry voice, about someone staying on her mind. Polly asking “are you OK? ‘Cos I’m not OK”. “Pray,” “Your Faith” and “So Unreasonable” are 3 beautifully soulful tracks on the album. Whoever tempted this lady to sing more soulful music, must have known what treasure lay within and was able to prise it out during the making of this album. “Pray” is a gutsy, bluesy, jazzy track, Polly telling someone to deal with their problems. Not be afraid of letting their sorrow show instead of hiding behind their smile. “Your Faith” with all those doubts and fears suiting Polly’s youthfulness. A bouncy number about not being able to deal with her own stress, yet able to deal with everyone else’s, recognising someone sees beyond that, with a faith in her and wishing she had that same faith in herself – a good funky track. “Colourfield” is a song where she tells someone who has been abused in some way, that she admires them for carrying on. Going on to say “I can’t listen to you now – just go release your pain through creative flow”. A slow tempo, laid back track. “Give & Take” has Polly saying “all I long to do is give, all I seem to do is take” in this alluring song with its’ slow, relaxing rhythms. “So Unreasonable,” is a mid-tempo number where Alex Bennett leads with his pleasing keyboard skills, giving the song its classy feel. “Thought It Was About You” gives Polly the opportunity to show her quirkier side - complimenting her seductive, jazzy voice. “The Game” and “I’ll Be There” complete the album as strongly as it started. “The Game” would make an excellent single (probably not the most obvious on the album, but one I think is the “Trojan Horse”), a simply beautiful soul track, suiting the natural ebbs and flows of Polly’s voice. I’ll start the rumour now with the final track “I’ll Be There” - by pumping the music up even more - it would make an excellent Bond Movie tune. This is the first time Polly has co-written her own songs and has done so with sensitivity, maturity, wit and depth of words. After hearing Polly’s previous work, we are now seeing her progress in to a more soulful jazz world and it suits her classy style and has enabled her to express her youthfulness and humour, which makes for an encouraging, outstanding, soulful album. A must buy which can be purchased by clicking onto www.ruggedramrecords.com.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Once Again
  Once Again  
  Recommended if you like:
- Bilal
- Robin Thicke
- The Fuzz Band
 
Review
John Legend 'Once Again' [RCA / Sony]
 

After the success of John’s Grammy Award winning solo debut “Get Lifted”, I was eager to hear the follow-up. This second album, bears very little relation to its predecessor and is more daring - exploring new ground, heading in a sophisticated direction, with a jazzier feel, which I wasn’t expecting to hear. All songs are written or co-written by John and executively produced by Kanye West & John. Some tracks produced by WILL.I.AM, Devo Springstein, Raphael Saadiq, Eric Hudson & Jack Splash, Craig Street, Sa-ra creative partners, Dave Tozer and Ken Lewis. “Save Room” is a good opener and has a vintage feel to the production. “Heaven” features a fitting sample from the soul classic “Heaven Only Knows”. This track is about giving a relationship a second chance by getting back to the “young romance”. “Stereo” being a punchy tune about a groupie who “fell in love with the radio - it wasn’t really me” so he had to let her go. Each time I play this particular tune I can’t help but dance to the drumbeat. This is a hypnotic track with far eastern influences to the sound. “Show Me” is an elegant, contemplative song about life’s questions and John’s realisation of not speaking with God for many weeks - with the hope when his time comes, God will be waiting there for him. “Each Day Gets Better” is a beautiful mid-tempo ballad about writing a song for “somebody he wanted to sing about”. “P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care)” - a catchy number touching on a risqué, youthful subject. Whilst most R&B artists incorporate ‘sex’ into their songs, John does this in a more tasteful manner. “Slow Dance” is a romantic, intoxicating ballad letting the “music make you move”. “Again” about a sinful relationship, knowing it’s wrong for them to be together, but constantly being drawn to one another, again and again, almost being under some sort of spell. “Maxine” with its Latin rhythms is about a girl, who looks like a lady called “Maxine” - but isn’t. “Where Did My Baby Go” telling us of a lost love and feeling like he’s lost his only friend; wanting to see her smile again with “Maxine’s Interlude” and “Another Again” continuing the story of the album. “Coming Home” – a collaboration with Black Eyed Peas front-man/producer Will Adams (Will.I.AM). With the skilful piano skills of John, this makes a poignant track tackling being away at war and apart from loved ones, ending with the message “you know that I’ll be coming home”. 3 years ago, John was a highly regarded session musician. With this strong album, he shows versatility and growth as an artist. An artist who is earning respect and recognition as a solo artist by making positive, beautiful music with endearing vocals, which go perfectly with his piano style. This album is a brave move forward. Rather than being complacent with the success of his debut, there is a noticeable difference of no guest appearances – you get John solo except for backing singers. The album has given him the ability to stamp his authority on his music and vision of where he wants to go and for me it’s certainly in the right direction. This album must be one of the strongest and most innovative R&B albums of 2006.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Shusic
  Shusic  
  Recommended if you like:
- John Legend
- N'Dambi
- Rahsaan Patterson
 
Review
Shu 'Shusic' [Shu]
 

‘Shusic” is honest to goodness really hot. From the on-set, Shu’s voice cuts through the space and time to touch the listener’s soul in places you may have forgotten about. If you didn’t know any better you’d swear you were listening to a soul-crooner of old. The production is cool, crisp and simplistic making the album fun and fresh. High quality stuff that over which Shu’s voice soars. All eleven tracks provide a refreshing look into the heart and soul of this young artist. With a voice like this it might be tempting to make every song a ballad, but there is a nice mixture of mid to slow tempo songs. ‘Come Down’ is a gospel-tinged piece that takes you back in time to an old gospel gathering down by the river. On ‘Amor’, Shu’s new-classic voice let’s his love interest know that “…you set me free”. He’s got some funk in the mix too with “Call Your Name” and “FTS”. Shusic is definitely an album for lovers. His sensual lyrics and smoky delivery on tracks like “So Damn Fine” makes past failed attempts at love fade away into the fresh hope of newly found attraction. If you need a couple anthems that allow you to put all your fears and self-doubts in their rightful place then put on “FTS” and “My Own Way” in which he sings “…but talking inside me somehow, saying you have to keep going, believe without knowing, though life’s always blowing you down”. I guarantee that after turning these tracks up to 10 and singing along, you’ll return to conquering the world with a smile on your face. I just can’t shake the feeling that this young man was born 60 years ago. He has so much feeling and power in his voice and lyrics it’s hard to believe that this album was made in today’s age of gratuitous sexual overtones. “Undiscovered” showcases Shu’s skills as a psychologist as he dissects his love interest’s hang-ups in a mature way and steers her to love’s door in a nurturing, patient manner. Shu has won John Lennon Songwriting Contest, was recognized as a top song writer in the Billboard Songwriting Contest, and has won an ASCAPlus award for the activity generated in the United States by his independent release of SHUSIC.

Mut Asheru [Just Soul]

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