R. KELLY: SINGER/SONGWRITER

WRITE ME BACK, the latest album out by R. Kelly, (the deluxe version is currently available on iTunes).  Earlier release singles from the album were ‘Feelin Single’ and ‘Share My Love’, and finally the release of the R. Kelly 11^th Studio album became available June 22, 2012.

As with LOVE LETTERS,  (see review 12/23/2010) Kelly returns to the 1950-70’s era for inspiration.  He wrote and produced all but 2 songs on the album packed with soulful artistry, with the exception of  ‘Party Jumpin’ and ‘All Round On Me’ which are more rockin’ than R&B. Kelly says:

“I have many directions I still wanna go in musically,” he says of where he is creatively. “This just happened to be a direction I choose for now because the first album did so well people started asking me if I was gonna be doing any other songs like that.. Through those questions I found a second wind of inspiration in the area of doing the classic R&B type of songs.”

Kelly, brings us a wider collection of his musical inspirations, like Ray Charles, Teddy Pendergrass, Barry White, Michael Jackson (You Are My World) Isley Brothers, Sam Cooke, Bill Withers, Smokey Robinson (Fool For You) and Stevie Wonder. How could he go wrong? He only gets better as he matures with his craft. He has grown into a wonderful artist, and his vocals are the best! There is no out there that can be compared to his versatility.  In March of 2011, Billboard named him the most successful R&B artist of the last 25 years.

With this album he is sure stay at the top for the next couple of years, and with his talent there is no reason he can’t be at the top for the next 25 years. He soon will be releasing his first memoir “Soulcaster: The Diary of Me”, and has signed with the IFC Channel to add chapters to his innovative hip hop opera Trapped in the Closet, which was an early 21st century cultural phenomenon.  

It will be interesting to see where he goes next with his talent. Hopefully he will still be inspired to bring us the quality of music he brought with WRITE ME BACK & LOVE  LETTERS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3ufEF45-J4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHBvmpHIKJk&feature=related

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NAJEE: JAZZ SAXAPHONIST/FLAUTIST

Jerome Najee Rasheed, born in New York City is an American urban jazz saxophonist and flautist, who released THE SMOOTH SIDE OF SOUL (Jan 2012).

The 14^th studio album is laid back, funky, and modern pop jazz. 'The Smooth Side of Soul' is classified as ‘romantic, but the feeling gets lost toward the end of the album.

It becomes more of what you hear on the radio, or the weather channel.

 ‘Dis n’ Dat’, it's funky, ‘Just to Fall in Love’ (feat. Phil Perry), laidback, romantic, good download. Mellow out with ‘Perfect Nights’, ‘You Tube’, and another laidback number, ‘Mari’ flute at its best.

Najee feels he has not arrived yet, and is working his way through concerts and personal appearances, to get to where he wants to be in his career. He started in High school studying the flute and later toured with various bands as a member. Later he toured with Chaka Chan, and various other leads as part of their tour ensemble. He has recorded with Will Downing, Prince, Patti Labelle, Jeffry Osborne,  and many more. He has also recorded instrumentals with Herbie Hancock, Larry Carlton, and numerous other well known artists. In 1986 he went out on his own as a solo artist and has been hitting it hard with concerts and record albums.

The album has some good tracks, but again, the smooth side of soul gets lost in the end.  Definitely a few good downloads, and someone to keep an eye on for Smooth Jazz, easy listening.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B__yXqABIhk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9sGJs2LIFM&feature=related

JIMMY FALLON: COMEDIAN/MUSICIAN/ACTOR

Jimmy Fallon, released his second comedy album, “BLOW YOUR PANTS OFF”   June 8, 2012.

  

If you are a Jimmy Fallon fan (Late Night with Jimmy Fallon) you will get a kick out of this album. Fallon, sings his musical parodies with his studio band ‘The Roots’. While the songs have all  been remixed and remastered, all material featured are recordings of the live performances with audience cheering and laughter. 

The album features: Justin Timberlake, Paul McCartney, Eddie Vedder, Dave Matthews, Brian Williams (NBS News Anchor), Big & Rich, Stephan Colbert and Bruce Springstein.

This comedy album spotlights Jimmy’s musical/comedy talent, and his parodies which were a feature on Saturday Night Live numerous times. Fallon’s voice is as good as it ever was. Blow Your Pants Off showcases his gift for takeoff imitations.  Take notice of his rendition of Neal Young, The Doors, and Bob Dylan, he actually sounds pretty good.

Fallon has been playing the guitar since the age of 3, not sure about the harmonica.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCLn1EYQql0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpGvGqq8e64&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFieOMWRZSk&feature=relmfu

CHRIS ARDOIN: ZYDECO/ACCORDION/SINGER

Louisiana born Chris Ardoin, released his latest album HEADLINER, in Feb. 2012.

The Cajun accordion player has helped move Zydeco into the modern age with the Infusion of  Hip-Hop, Reggae, and R&B, creating a new sound.

Ardoin began playing the accordion when he was 2 years old, influenced by his Dad, and Grandfather, also Zydeco musicians.  Ardoin has a very pleasant voice, and his sound can in fit in any of the above mentioned categories. 

At the age of 10, Ardoin (1994)  formed the band ‘Double Clutchin’ with the help of his father, Lawrence along with his brother Sean. They split in 1997. In 2005 the band changed the name to’ NuStep’.

In all they have 12 studio albums, with the last five as ‘NuStep’. While the zydeco theme is dominant in this album, the track “Kreole Lady” is a very nice R&B number, that makes you wonder what more can this guy do?  This album may not a total download, but defiantly selective downloads would be a nice addition to any collection to change the pace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtBxndqiXLc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8LCB0apU5c&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVYcGXRkcGA&feature=related

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