ANGIE STONE –
DREAM
Angie Stone
has enjoyed an amazing career thus far from making hits with the first female
rap group to co writing/co producing much of D Angelo s Brown Sugar and Voodoo
classics to scoring such major hits as Wish I Didn t Miss U, Brotha, and No
More Rain In This Cloud. Along the way, Angie has sold over 5 million units
worldwide while maintaining high visibility as an actress and media personality
via films such as Pastor Brown and The Fighting Temptations, reality shows such
as R&B Divas and Celebrity Fit Club, and theatrical productions such as
Chicago. Dream, produced by Walter Millsap III (Alicia Keys, Brandy, Mindless
Behavior) is a sparkling set of beautiful Angie Stone soul tracks set in a
contemporary sound. Highlights include the first single, 2 Bad Habits, a duet
with Dave Hollister, Begin Again, and the irresistibly catchy sound of Quits. ~
Amazon
LERON THOMAS
– CLIQUISH
An excellent
full length album from the up-and-coming Leron Thomas – an artist who both
sings and plays trumpet, then adds in lots of compelling sounds to the mix
alongside those two elements! The album may well be Leron's best work to date –
and really focuses in on the best qualities that make him so unique – that
partly-cosmic, partly-earthy approach that shifts easily throughout the record,
often in the course of a single track – almost as if Thomas is stepping quickly
in space to find a special sound that's all his own! Bass is pretty heavy at
the bottom of most numbers – often distorted, and seeming to pull Leron's
vocals into the mix – but the trumpet can soar out with these redemptive
qualities that really give the record a lot of spirit, alongside a lot more
bass, guitar, and keyboards. Titles include "Cliquish",
"Extrospection", "Snicka Bar", "Mandy Jo",
"Calm Down", "Stride", "Don't You Know",
"Victorian Walk", and "Role Play". ~ Dusty Groove
MOONCHILD –
PLEASE REWIND
Really
really wonderful work from Moonchild – even better than we remember from the
first time around! The group have this perfect balance of vocals and jazzy
instrumentation – played by a trio who handle all the instruments themselves,
then produce the whole set – in support of vocalist Amber Navran, who also
plays tenor on the record! Rhythms are spare and crackling – never overdone,
and just the right sort of laidback funk for Navran's wonderful vocals –
sliding out in this smooth, slinky way that has plenty of jazz undercurrents,
and no sort of commercial styles at all. A decade ago, these guys might have
been headed towards major label stardom – but it's the indie, underground
nature of the record that's going to keep them strong for years – as you'll
hear on cuts that include "The Truth", "Nobody", "More
Than Ever", "Winter Breeze", "Just A Minute",
"Moonlight", and "I'll Make It Easy". ~ Dusty Groove
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