SY Smith:
The Syberspace Social If there is one word to describe this project that would be, "Different". It's quite a Hip Hip, Funk, Soul to Fusion piece of work from the soul star, a project that has "entering new territory" written all over it. SY Smith has the voice and talent to catch a whole new audience with this 2005 release. Syberspace Social, is a creative project but lacks the energy that could of made this creativity continuous thought the album. The production of some tracks seem not able to support her vocals but this can be forgiven! The opening Welcome To Cyberspace is a mind-relaxing track that gives the first time listener a perfect intro into SY's world. For those fans that have been listening to SY from day one, don't get caught up in your comfort-zone from her previous releases cause, The Syberspace Social is no where a people-pleasing project.
Our favourite track(s): 1.11.12 Listening Rate: 6/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 5/10 Raheem DeVaughn:
The Love Experience A debut release from Raheem DeVaughn has already got a few heads turning here and there but does this young chap have what it takes lyrically putting aside the beats for a moment (if they were even needed). The answer is yes, and The Love Experience project is completely self titled. From the intro to the beautifully acoustically mixed Guess Who Loves You More, the listener will be escorted to various love scenes. Putting aside the lyrics, there seems to be some weak imitations that mess up the flow of the love experience. Who, which struggles to sound like a Prince vibe, is a real put off. Midway through the album i.e. Sweet Tooth, the vibe is like that of two genres disagreeing with each other! Somehow, Raheem, comes back strong enough to being on point with such tracks as Believe. This track is possibly the smoothest and best arranged track on the album without a doubt. Baring in mind that, this project is compiled with 18 tracks, the selection is there for the first-time listener to feed on after a couple of repeats and spins. Lets now hope that this is not a once in a lifetime release from the youngin'.
Our favourite track(s): 3.5.7.10.18 Listening Rate: 7/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 6/10 Lina:
The Inner Beauty Movement Lina, is the female version of Gospel artist Tonex both which have more changing colours and diversity than a Chameleon! Just when you wanted to place her 2005 release The Inner Beauty Movement in a genre, another style awaits to take control. Even her fan base can't manage to keep up with her flow which is a good thing in that, the artist, is not placed in a comfort-zone box labeled with each release. This is no deficit release from the performer,writer, producer and even executive infact, Lina has very much matured both lyrically and mentally and this is shown on this release which is her second to date. If you already know Lina from her debut release Stranger On Earth, you would of already prepared your plate to receive a mixture of Pop/Jazz/Soul/HipHop and even her known trade mark of performing Opera! No spelling error there, this beautiful lady has delivered a good follow up from her debut back in 2001. However, if your used to the same bar note and not a favorite of the word "change", then this project might not just be your cup-of-tea.
Our favourite track(s): 4.5.7.8.9.11.14 Listening Rate: 7/10 Vocalz: 7/10
Production: 7/10 Mark de clive-Lowe:
Tides Rising This release is a sweet combination of Jazz, Hiphip and Dance. They call it broken beat/nu jazz! You may label it or categorize Tide's Arising how you like but there is no stopping to Mark's talent not only on this release but his trade mark on every project he has worked on. Even though Mark de clive-Lowe is a new Zealand native, his production skills have reached and have been heard worldwide. Be it in the club, jeep or even on-the-go with an ipod, Tide's Arising is welcome pack for even the familiar listener. It is recommended, that your sound system is up to the test of Tide's Arising.
Our favourite track(s): 3.5.6.11.12.13
Listening Rate: 9/10
Vocalz: 7/10
Production: 9/10 Ginger Jackson:
Ghetto-Bourgeois Don't even attempt to categories Ginger Jackson and
her debut project Ghetto-Bourgeois
pronounced (Get-toh Boo-shee). It's a collision of
jazz, hip-hop, r&b and soul music that is unusual yet
creative to the point it could have the listener
wondering if every track had a featuring artist!
Ghetto-Bourgeois, is if you like, the independent
version of Lina's debut Stranger On Earth but
while G.J's vocals at times seem versitile, the
production at times do her vocals no justice.
Our favourite track(s): 1.2.3.5•9.12 Listening Rate: 6/10
Vocalz: 7/10
Production: 5/10
Corey:
Movin' On This project does not attempt to have you bumping your
head or twirling left to right however, its music that
will have the listener in mental-transition.
Movin' On can best be described as
Homegrown music meant for those people that appreciate
music from the heart and not generated from some
marketing strategy. Apart from the bonus tracks
(14-16) recorded Live, tracks one to thirteen were
recorded in the studio yet, the band create this
amazing live atmosphere that would have you itching to
see a live performance.
Our favourite track(s): 2.4.8.9.10.12 Listening Rate: 7/10
Vocalz: 6/10
Production: 6/10
Praise Apella:
Word Of Mouth This is the debut album release by the a-cappella
group Praise Apella. A-cappella groups are
almost not considered as artists in todays music
industry where production becomes ever so dependable.
Word of Mouth, takes on a fresh approach
by using beat-boxing on tracks such as Blessed by
your name, Knockin' on heavens door, Finding
strength and Let my words be few. However,
although the vocals are uplifting and inspirational,
they are only best heard with the support of the
beat-boxing collaborations.
Our favourite track(s): 3.5.7.8 Listening
Rate: 8/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 7/10
RanDevyn:
SolTrain
Wow! For an Independent label and artist to have released such an album as this will even have the major label and artist scratching heads. RanDevyn is an exceptional independent artist whom we hope will remain independent for ambassador reasons. The project is bold and strong for its caliber. It's not a run through of studios songs to make a hit here or there which is understanding and sometimes needed for a debut at least! Although a debut, it's yet another release that continues to prove that the Church is not just full of feet-stomping, happy-clappin grown folks, but also a vocal factory for young and yet to be noticed artist's worldwide. SolTrain is a beautiful and well balanced mixture of Gospel, R&B, Soul and whatever else that moves your inner soul. If there is indeed one reason to hear this release, let it be because your tired of hearing the same old artificial mess rotated on radio stations.
Highlite trackz: 2.5.8.10
Listening Rate: 8/10 Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 8/10
Amel Larrieux:
Morning The independent diva is back once again with yet another different rhythm and style from her two well know previous solo releases. Amel Larrieux has given us homegrown music not to be categorized since the early 90's when with Groove Theory. Now, in 2006 and her third solo release till date, Amel still has that unleashed urge in her for her fans. Morning is a soundtrack of the journey Amel has been traveling along with much support from her homegrown label. The opener Trouble has an element of youthfulness and atmosphere attached to it but timed more of an intro than a full length track. To those whom were expecting an upbeat tempo album may be disappointed with "Morning" as it's probably her most relaxed release ever! And, just when the listener becomes comfortable with the slow-tempos, the track ends all of a sudden! "Morning" is a well composed project with unadulterated vocals but could have been lengthened in track time.
Highlite trackz: 5.7.9
Listening Rate: 7/10 Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 7/10
Tonex:
Oak Park: 91205 Oak Park: 92105 by Tonex is probably the most up-close, personal and raw his fans may have ever heard so far. It’s basically the un-told alpha story of not only about the artist himself, but also the un-told journey that even the media had no access to, till now. Unlike his previous materials, this is an Independent release courtesy of Nureau Ink, a label which already has Mo’ Soule Steppyn. Oak Park: 92105, is not for the easy going individual, but for whom it may concern. A two disc release with each containing 12 tracks is surly a must have for the new and already fans. The numeric title of this release (92105) looks set on becoming one version of many to come.
