LLOYD JONES: SINGER/SONGWRITER

Lloyd Jones: Singer/Songwriter

Jones comes to us from the Pacific Northwest as a storyteller with a Memphis blues sound. Lloyd Jones just released an acoustic blues album, his 7th on 4/19/2011 HIGHWAY BOUND. He is virtually unknown in the POP music world, but he has been around for decades, playing with the legends on the blues circuit.
His song writing will remind you of the standard blues from the past. His rendition of back porch pickin’, swampy blues, and old school R&B is what he works very hard at pushing the American Root Music into the here and now.

In 1985 he decided that he would play his music after his stint as leader of the group “Brown Sugar” back in the 1970’s. He was associated with a few other groups, before he went out on his own.

Jones is a mainstay on the West Coast Circuit, but has toured all over the states, Canada and Europe. His sound is a little Curtis Obeda, Delbert Clinton, and Taj Mahal, telling stories of love, loss, and adventure. The soulful singers sound  has been referred to by Vintage Guitar Magazine,  “his vocals are as gritty as a dirt road and as smooth as melting butter”. An excellent description of his sound and this album personifies his tone in just that way.

If you enjoy soulful, standard style blues, and old school R&B, take a chance and listen to Lloyd Jones, you will be surprised, and pleased. He should be recognized for his song writing, singing and guitar, and be in front of the pack of blues slayers of today.

http://www.lloydjonesmusic.com/

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TV ON THE RADIO: ROCK BAND

TV on the Radio: An American Alternative Rock Band out of Brooklyn, NY that came together in 2001, has recently released their 4th studio album  4/12/2011 NINE TYPES OF LIGHT. Fans are expressing mixed reviews and comparing it to previous work. Stating the previous two albums were the best/better than NINE TYPES OF LIGHT.


Their style is influenced by favorite artists like Prince, Earth Wind & Fire, Nancy Sinatra and many more. Taking from their influences they have created a diverse range of styles including freeform jazz, pychedelia, trip-hop, modern soul, classic rock, and post punk electric. A critic referred to their style as “Futurist Doo Wop”. Their catchy beats and verses, along with distorted guitars, their signature sound, and the reverberating bass bring an interesting twist to a love song. This album, is non-traditional love songs said to be deeper than previous albums.
Members of the band are Tunde Adebimpe (vocals/loops), David Andrew Sitek (guitars/keyboards/loops) and Kyp Malone (vocals/guitars/bass/loops) Jaleel Bunton (drums/vocals/loops/guitars) and Gerard Smith (bass/keyboards) as official members. Sadly Smith passed away Wednesday on April 20, 2011 from lung cancer at the age of 36. Gerard Smiths will joyfully be remembered and live on in his recorded music and in the hearts of his fellow band members, family, friends and fans.

CONCERTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED IN DETROIT, CHICAGO, MINNEAPOLIS AND DENVER, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Some of the 11 songs of the album: “Second Song” kind of grows on you, “Keep Your Heart”, haunting vocals of Tunde, “You”,nice. “Will Do”, to be released as a single. “New Cannon Ball Blues” fun, upbeat rhythms. “Caffeniated Consciousness”, and “Trouble” available on the album only.

Rumor has it;  they put on a entertaining show. Look for them in your area, for a fun filled night of music.

http://www.tvontheradio.com/splash/

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NOEL GOURDIN;SINGER/SONGWRITER

Noel Gourdin: Singer/Songwriter




Just out 4/12/2011, the R&B soul singer Gourdin’s second studio album (fresh): THE DEFINITION.
He is among the numerous up and coming R&B soul singers of today. Gourdins vocals are excellent; he can really belt out a tune, but is it distinctive enough? Only time will tell.

This album is so, so. It is syrupy romantic, full of gushy love ballads. His voice is good and the songs are good, but they all sound alike after track 2. He brings the same tempo, same tone throughout, with little distinction to make it memorable. I liked it more the second time around, but again thought it was too much of the same thing from song to song.

That being said, it is worth the download of your favorite track or two, but probably not the entire album. Give him the benefit of the doubt because it is only his second album, and this is the learning curve. As stated earlier, there are so many young R&B singers out there right now that can sing, but only a few are distinctive, memorable, and making music we want to buy. The competition is fierce and each one including Gourdin need to get producers that know how to make an album with more flare and flavor. Make me want more.

Gourdin has had his ups and downs and suffered a bout of depression when his record label Epic, basically gave up on him, and when they parted ways he felt dejected and without direction. He said he gained 35 lbs. and contemplated giving up music. He made the right choice by hanging in there, because his rich vocals and lyrical content are just fine, it’s the song selection. It’s not fresh, or new. Albums with just love songs are a dime a dozen. It needs to be unique to bring in the listener, and bring them back, and I don’t get that from this Album. Maybe next time.

Some of the noted songs on the album: “In Love”, Been A Longtime”,  and the bonus track on the album, “Wanna Get Close”, is the most upbeat track that is rockin’, bluesy, and toe tapping.

http://www.noelmusic.net/

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PAUL SIMON: SINGER/SONGWRITER/MUSICIAN

Paul Simon: Singer/Songwriter/Musician

Paul Simon just released, SO BEAUTIFUL OR SO WHAT, April 11, 2011, his 11th Solo studio album. He has recorded: Compilations (9), Live (3), and Singles (15). The count does not include his association with Garfunkel, or recordings by other names. He is a success, no doubt, and not normally a person that needs to be introduced because his reputation supersedes the music. This is his first album in 5 years, and he did it right.
If you are familiar with his music of the past, you will be impressed with the quality of this album. It is as good as GRACELAND, with a similar message throughout.

First: The musicality of this album is amazing. The musicians give us their best sound, and their level of performance is one you can’t help but notice.
Second: The roots influenced writing is somewhat melancholy, and the message throughout is of mortality, in the tradition that Mr. Simon is known for.
Third: Paul Simon’s voice sounds like he did in his younger days. He will be 70 in October, 2011, and you would never guess it from the quality of his voice. It will blow you away.

The only complaint: He includes as the lead track “Getting Ready For Christmas Day”, which was released as a single in December 2010. Not a song I want to listen to every time the CD plays. The song is a sample of a 1941 sermon given by Rev. J.M. Gates. Just one of those songs you would rather hear at Christmas time.
“Afterlife” contains amazing guitar work, released as a single. He sang this song on Opera live and he didn’t sound as good as it does on the album.

“Dazzling Blue”, “Rewrite”, “Love and Hardtimes” and “Love and Blessings”, with foot stomping beats, “So Beautiful, So What”, another upbeat track.

If you were a fan, you will love the vintage poetic Paul Simon songwriting and the excellent musicians that make this album a success.

http://www.paulsimon.com/

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TROY "TROMBONE SHORTY" ANDREWS: TROMBONIST/TRUMPETER & COMPOSER

Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews: Trombonist, Trumpeter, and Composer

Troy Andrews a horn virtuoso, who released his first major label album May 2010 BACKATOWN is sure to influence the brass section in music for years to come. The 25 year old from Tremé (tre-MAY) 6th Ward in New Orleans, and the brother of bandleader James Andrews and grandson of singer/songwriter Jesse Hill, has been playing in brass bands since the age of six.
He will be appearing at the New Orleans Heritage & Jazz Festival on April 30, and on May 7th, 2011. If you get a chance to hear him you are sure to be impressed with his intense high energy performance. He is a viable soulful vocalist as well.

His name “Trombone Shorty” came from his brother while marching down the street carrying a trombone as long as he was tall and it stuck with him. He has since grown up and is master of his own sound, he calls SUPAFUNKROCK . It’s a little funk, jazz, hip-hop and rock.

In 2005 he was a featured member of the Lenny Kravitz horn section for a world tour that shared the billboard with Aerosmith. After Hurricane Katrina 8/29/2005, he has participated in many bands and groups to raise money for storm victims.

Trombone Shorty has recorded and toured with many artists, such as U2, Greenday, Eric Clapton, and Dr John, before he put together his own group “Orleans Avenue”. Members include: Mike Ballard on bass, Dan Oestreicher on baritone sax, Pete Murano on guitar, Joey Peebles on drums and Dwayne “Big D” Williams on percussion, all virtuosos in their own right.

Troy, from the oldest black neighborhood in New Orleans, says it is the root of his music. He said he grew up with music that was for dancing and feeling good, and he brings that street wise, gritty sound to us in a new direction. It is not the stereotypical New Orleans jazz. He and Orleans Avenue are shifting the sound of New Orleans jazz to attract the younger music lover into the energetic sounds of Trombone Shorty, which is post Hurricane Katrina, and impacts the music in a new and meaningful way.

His Album: Leads off with “Hurricane Season” This album references Hurricane Katrina in several of the songs. He also includes Alan Toussaint’s classic “On Your Way Down” which Mr. Toussaint accompanies him on the piano.”Something Beautiful” was released as a single and features Lenny Kravitz, his old boss. It also includes “Fallin” a smooth, sexy soulful ballad to catch the ladies attention. You will be pleased by the many facets of this talented energetic musician.

http://www.tromboneshorty.com/

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DUMPSTAPUNK: MUSIC GROUP

Ivan Neville: Singer/Songwriter/Musician



Ivan Neville’s DUMPSTAPHUNK, formed in 2002, but didn’t really take off until after Hurricane Katrina, in 2005. He commented that people wanted to help out and would hire bands with New Orleans roots. They wanted to be part of the Jazz & Heritage Festival, so they signed up and were a big hit, and Dumpstaphunk evolved in to an actual band.  Ivan, a talented keyboardist, guitar, bass and drum player was a professional musician for a living prior to Dumpstaphunk.

Ivan played and toured with his dad, Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers group for years before moving on to play with Keith Richards and the X-Pensive Wino’s. He has also played/toured with The Spin Doctors, and Bonnie Raitt. He has performed and recorded with the Rolling Stones, Angie Stone, John Mayer, and The Dave Matthews Band, and many many more, this list is never ending.

Dumpstaphunk, released their most recent album in November 2010 EVERYBODY WANT SUM. It is a timeless hybrid of rocking soul, neo-funk, a modern day deep fried gumbo of sorts. They are keeping it real, and figure that one day people will get tired of the electronic/synth stuff and come a running back to great music.Then they will have their time in the sun.

They have released a couple of albums LIVE: From the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. They are lively and sure to have you dancing in the street, with the riveting sound of this talented group of musicians.

While they aren’t a household word, they are out there and performing their hearts out for you, doing what they love to do, and that is to play their kind of music.

http://www.dumpstaphunk.com/

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KY-MANI MARLEY: REGGAE/HIP-HOP SINGER/SONGWRITER

Kymani Marley: Reggae/Hip-Hop Singer/Songwriter

Kymani or Ky-Mani, is a Jamaican, American Reggae Hip-Hop and dance hall artist. Born in Jamaica and later moving to Miami by the age of 9, Kymani is the 10th child of the great Bob Marley. On 3/11/2011 he released the single title track “ New Heights” from his soon to be released album. This will be his 6th studio album. This single is more reggae than hip-hop which differs from his previous album.

As a young man he was heavily involved in soccer and football in school and played the trumpet in his high school band. He grew up in the ghetto’s of Miami and did not receive the wealth and security some of his family members received. In high school he began rapping and DJ’ing and started to think that music was his forte. He made a couple albums and soon he was experimenting with laying tracks, at times with his brothers, Stephen, Julian and Damian.

In 2010 he released the single “Dear Dad”, a letter to his Dad declaring his love and loss. A heartfelt I miss you Daddy kind of theme to celebrate Bob Marley’s 65th birthday. The Song came shortly after a book of the same title, “Dear Dad” with the added subtitle “Where is the family in our family today” written by Ky-Mani which was changed from Dear Dad: The Marley Son Who Persevered from the Street to Prominence, was released to much controversy, about the Marley family secrets. From the name change to content, it opened a huge can of worms for the legendary family.

Ky-Mani has the phrasing of Bob Marley when gets into the reggae mode of vocalization, but not the voice. His vocals at times seem raw and unpolished. He seems more suited for the Hip-Hop/Reggae influenced genre.

Only time will tell which if any of the Marley boys will have the staying power of their heritage. The family is capitalizing on a memory, while the Reggae sound is not dead, it may be drifting away if incorporated into Hip-Hop/Rap craze and not preserved by the family business.
Look for Ky-Maini’s new album out this year, and judge for yourself which direction he is going.

http://www.kymani-marley.com/

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