“Soulganic” is described brilliantly by the following quote:
“Imagine a sound that captures the raw energy of funk syncopation, the pure emotion of soul grooves, the freedom of jazz improvisation and the passionate elements of Latin rhythms. Throw in the growl of rock and the howl of blues, and tie it all together with a voice that emotes and ranges and tells the story the way it should be told”.
The members of Soulganic consist of Minnesotan turned Charlottean Ryan McKeithan on guitars, Washington, DC-rooted Cory McClure on drums, Bronx, NY born-and-raised Anthony Rodriguez on vocals and bass, and Lucas Torres on percussions. This freedom for expression is essential, especially when one thinks on the fact that each of the members is an accomplished musician in his own right. With all have a chance to let their abilities individually shine.
A staple of their critically-acclaimed live show, Soulganic's trademark earthy energy is evident on their debut album All Directions Forward, as Rodriguez states: "What I think we've been able to accomplish is a very nice translation of what our live shows are, but with the balance and control of playing our music in the studio. It's a nice, open, earthy sound, with just the right amount of wild energy and crisp production values."
From the start of listening to track 1 entitled “Fordham and Walton (On My Way Up)” musically had me grooving and lyrically got my attention with its true gripping and compelling words and splendidly soulful vocals. It get’s better throughout. Track 2 “Avonelle” makes you clap your hands and move effortlessly to the instrumentally superb bass, percussions and drums with a latin flair and, once again with soulful vocals.
I can go on and on about Soulganic’s debut album “All Directions Forward”. This CD is full of talented musicians that collectively but their amazing energy and roots into a sound so organic and soulful. It gives you the feeling of actually being there at a live performance. Leaving you with the anticipation of a tour in your local area.
Soulganic’s debut CD “All Directions Forward” is a must have for those that love and thirst for great soulful undiluted music.
You can check out Soulganic at www.organicsoulmusic.com.
You can hear Soulganic on the “Sample This” show” on im4radiodc.com.

Barbara Fulton [Just Soul]

Crazatic Entertainment present “The Life & Times of Love.” The debut album from husband and wife hip-hop soul couple Taniq, with the majority of songs composed, produced, arranged and performed by Taniq. The CD is dedicated to their first band member Jim Roney, who played guitar in the group and sadly took his own life in 2002. It’s important to have a strong, leading track on an album and “Everything About You” is exactly that and will have you pressing rewind again and again; a stunning opener of mutual admiration. You’re my “Sunrise” follows with the sweet lyrics “no matter how cold the breeze, you give me all the warmth I need.” Fine n’ funky “Hands In My Pockets” is next, confronting the struggles of day-to day living. “Breakin’ the Rules” follows, suiting Carolyn’s jazzy voice to perfection, ebbing and flowing to the sexy sax & flute instrumentals; a beautiful track. Jazzy “Deja My Dear” with Miko’s spoken word lyrics is next, with tenor sax, then on to the stimulating 6th track “Cupid Shot Me” which sees Miko expressing his infatuated love for Carolyn, saying “You’re the chill in my spine, the laugh line in my smile” and “every day I want you more, not just the physical, I want to stimulate your mind” - “how can I express the magnitude of my gratitude?” This is a song with refreshing and enjoyable lyrics. “Look at You Now” follows, then on to the soulful ballad “Time Will Not Wait” (for no-one), with Curtis Kincaid on guitar. “A Summer In Zimbabwe” is next and has Carolyn wishing her babe was closer rather than being far away, as she misses his touch saying it feels cold outside even though it’s summer. “Scale of Sacrifice” is the penultimate track, with the lyrics “sometimes I wanna crawl into a shell and be left alone.” Every day being a struggle and a day of sacrifice, praying each night everything will be all right and it is here where Miko shines with his soulful hip-hop lyrics, the choir repeating these lyrics to end the song. Album title track “The Life & Times Of Love” completes the CD with Taniq embracing their love and romance for each other, blending in to bosa nova and guitar rhythms, concluding the album with a celebratory vocal wrap. Miko and Carolyn shine as individuals on particular songs; Carolyn on “Breakin’ the Rules” and Miko on “Scale of Sacrifice.” Together their differing voices and styles blend soulfully together in an enchanting way, which works so well, creating vocal harmonies and classic music. For Taniq to share the mic and stage with each other must be special, to transfer this to CD for us to listen to, makes it special for us; beautiful, endearing music to savour and appreciate. Added to this is a whole host of musicians who compliment the love and thought which has gone in to this CD. Long may Taniq be united in soulful hip-hop matrimony. Buy their album and feel the warmth of love envelop you. Highly recommended.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

To simply put it, Erykah is back and back with material that will impress her listeners and digress them from anyone else. After the release of her 2003 album “World Wide Underground” Ms. Badu comes forth with her 4th long awaited and anticipated studio album: “Amerykah (Part 1).” In “World Wide Underground,” Ms. Badu experimented with funky sounds and lyrics that produced a new sound and image for Erykah. However, it saw her borrowing a number of lyrics from her debut album “Baduizm” which lead to some listeners believe that she simply ran out of lyrics and had writer’s block. With “Amerykah” Ms Badu continues her funkiness, however her strong, conscious and intellectual lyrics in addition, showcases how musically talented she is in dazzling her listeners. Listeners can easily tell that Ms. Badu’s writer’s block days are now over and that she has a lot on her mind. “Me” is a self-inspiring track in which Erykah talks about what she has been through, who are inspirations and things she wishes she could change, but at the end “I am just me.” Erykah Badu gets political in tracks such as “My People” which has a simple yet heavy bass line with hypnotic simple lyrics uttering “hold on…my people.” Furthermore, there is the Curtis Mayfield “Freddie’s Dead” sampled song “Master Teachers” where she constantly says she “stays woke.” There are number of tracks on here that are simply infectious. Erykah’s track “Solider” (which Ms. Badu has said might be the second single to her current single “Honey”) is a hip-hop influenced cleverly sampled song where Erykah Badu addresses the problems that currently and have existed in America from school shootings, to the Iraq War. Her insightful mind teasing and deep lyrics are often remembered in this track especially when she says “then you get the wake up calls, when you saw the buildings fall, bow ties with the final calls get your money dollar bill y’all.” And “got love for all my folks, baptized when the levees broke.” Both of these deep metamorphic allegorical lyrics discuss about the September 11 attacks and the Hurricane Katrina victims respectively. Another beautiful track is “Telephone” which Erykah dedicated to the late J-Dilla. Her sweet uplifting lyrics “fly away to heaven brother, put in a word for me” offer a humble, peaceful and quiet sound to this track and bears similarity to her “organic” abeyance she portrayed in her second studio album “Mama’s Gun.” Of course there is Erykah’s first single from this album “Honey” (which is a hidden track) and is a great soulful and head banging track. There is no doubt that Erykah Badu is back and with her mind now full of thoughts, lyrics, ideas, stories and other inspirations one will be sure that her next album should be just as equally enticing.

Dwight Barrett [Just Soul]

Vietnam born and Michigan raised Yen (pronounced “Ian”) comes from an interesting background that has encompassed his passion into being a soul singer. Being the youngest of 10 children, Yen discovered his true singing from when he was young, growing up listening to artists such as Stevie Wonder, James Ingram, Take 6 and others R&B artists as well as joining a choir. Yen comes forth with his debut album “Introducing the sound of Asian Soul and R&B.” Yen’s voice is different and stands out from other artists. Through his vocals one can easily hear his influences (mainly from the church) and his lyrics are more mainstream contemporary R&B which offers a mature sound and quality to it than your typical bubble gum R&B that seems to be manufactured today. Tracks such as “My Calling” which is a tribute to his father, “Beauty” and “Set them free” all offer listeners a glimpse into Yen’s mind and soul. The production generally is good however if Yen continues his journey with his career and gets partnered with a major producer he might have more influential tracks. Then again with the popularity and having big producers this can often produce the bubble gum formula that Yen obviously chooses to stay away from. What listeners will enjoy about Yen is that he is simply being him on this album and does not need to act a certain way, talk a certain way or behave a certain way that society might attribute to what an R&B artist is. You will more likely find Yen performing at an upscale venue with a suit and tie as opposed to some other venue with his hat backwards, large Timberland boots, baggy jeans and oversized white t-shirt bopping his head around trying to put on a ghetto accent. From his musical influence and his drive it will be certain that we will be hearing more of Yen in the future.

Dwight Barrett [Just Soul]

Concord Music Group present multi-talented Grammy winning artist Marcus Miller, most known for his legendary electric bass capabilities on this, his fourteen-track album “Marcus,” released in the US in February 2008 (previously released in Europe and Japan in early 2007 under the title “Free” but with the addition of 4 songs). This is Marcus’ 9th CD release and its opening track “Blast” with Middle Eastern flavours transports you in to the Miller zone, a fitting intro to the CD. Mellow “Funk Joint” follows featuring Patches Stewart to get those fingers clicking and your feet tapping (love the bass!) sliding you in to Deniece Williams’ “Free” covered by the delicate vocals of UK’s multi-platinum artist Corinne Bailey Rae who is accompanied by the great David Sanborn. Whilst I love the original version of this, you will not be disappointed at Corinne’s sweet, innocent and soulful version, an extremely good track. Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground” is next. To cover a Stevie track is always a recipe for success and I love this funked up version. “Milky Way” with Keb Mo follows continuing the Eastern feel as with “Pluck (Interlude),” with hints of the sitar. Then on to the first feature on this CD of “Lost Without You” with Lalah Hathaway’s vocals singing along to the instrumentals - soothing you nicely in to “Cause I Want You” featuring poet Shihan. I really like the funky hip-hop vibe on this track. Soulful, funk track “Ooh” sung by Lalah Hatahway is next accompanied by mouth organ interludes then straight on to the most beautiful “When I Fall In Love,” giving you time to dim the lights, chillax and soak up the sensuous sounds of the bass clarinet. Funky “Strums” follows and on to “Jean Pierre” (Miles Davis cover) and “What Is Hip” the Tower Of Power cover which has David Sanborn on sax playing alongside a funky organ. The album started well and for me the last track, which features Taraji P Henson, is remarkable and passionate, winding the CD up in a spiral of spoken word, sexy soul. For those of you who are hardened Marcus Miller fans and enjoy their funk/jazz music, you will love the CD. If you haven’t sampled the music of Marcus Miller before, please buy the album and see what you have been missing out on. This is an album from an excellent artist of many talents who doesn’t stay with what is expected, but moves on and samples new sounds, tries new things and works with old as well as new artists but with one key important constant; producing outstanding music. Well recommend.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]