Lisa McClendon:
My Diary, Your Life She has that hot blazin' voice more powerful than that of the average female urban artist and, can be compared to the likes of "Jill Scott",Erykah Badu,N'Dambi and many otherz with that strong and effective Neo-Soul style. This young beautiful 26yr lady, sure has a vocal cord that will keep your eyez gazed and wonderin' if they will ever blink! The project, "My Diary, Your Life" consistz of 19 phat neo-soul trackz that we found extremly hard to pick out which one to dwell on. This is really a project that should be played in the secular Jazz/Soul club housez. Infact, if Lisa was in the mainstream, artistz like that of "India.Arie would be findin' it hard to reach the top 10! Yes thatz how phat Lisa Mcclendon's first project is. It would be extremly interestin' to see Lisa and "Tonex" do a combo! (Shabach.E holla @ dat 1!)
Track 7, has this real 70'z funky groove to it titled: "Tired". The hook on this track is: "aren't you tired of tha lies and the pain, hurt and shame". Brillient track. Track 11 & 16, were two trackz I felt should have been a bit longer in tyme due to itz relax mode effect! Beautiful Lisa is surely a sistah wit a powerful and effective voice that will open doorz for more neo-soul artistz to show out fo' sho!
Our favourite track(s): 2.5.7.9
Listening Rate:10/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 9/10 Sharon Musgrave: Selah When Smooth Jazz celebrates and finds joy with Soul Funk, you can be sure to know that it would be like no other celebration in town! The artistic gift that can come out from an individual should not be denied nor refused, because in it is the true pure gift that only God above could of provided. Sharon Musgrave is not only an entertainer, but also an individual who knows how to outpour soul music from the heart. Sharon Musgrave is a perfect example why her genre is florishing to the top! It's not only about the beatz, it's about soul music that comes from the heart and rhythm that can be felt among the masses. Sharon Musgrave is not your average vocalist she is a true heart felt performer that knows how to dig it! Seven outstanding tracks that you can just chill to, relax and also embrace as a type of norishment to the soul! And the listener can be confident to know that, the skipping of tracks on this project is not an option! Just sit back and relax to pure smooth grooves. Sharon Musgrave is a wonder woman in her own rights!
Our favourite track(s): 2.4.7
Listening Rate:9/10
Vocalz: 9/10
Production: 8/10 Lasonya Gunter: Blak Gerl This entire project rite here is "The Motown Sound" fo real! And in this new millennium, more and more black sister's need to represent and stop letting their label's use them like a puppet's in a box! Lasonya Gunter shows her audience what it is and also what it takes to be a true representer towards black folkz and other mixed cultures. With a voice to kill for, Lasonya Gunter is your real black sister with a goal and aim in mind. Showin' peepz worng motives and also life's difficulties, Lasonya spillz out what she knows and what she has gone through, but in all of this knowing the positive that comes out of it all. Lasonya, has that original 70's neo funk style that will turn headz for sure. If you're at home, at the jazz club or just chilling out with tha peepz, be sure to expect this project to drop some serious sweet reminisce at your soul! There are still a few artist's that produce that original sound that Lasonya Gunter brings out and with likes of that of Jill Scott and N'dambi, be sure to expect Lasonya's name to be listed amoung the top names soon. Lasonya Gunter is a true Independent winner in what she doez.
Our favourite track(s): 2.3.4.5
Listening Rate:9/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 7/10 Glen Lewis:
World Outside My Window There are voicez, and then there are voicez. When it comez to seperatin' the merely talented to the outright blessed, Glen Lewis is obviously blessed. Glen Lewis's is Soul Music, pure and simple. His debut album "World Outside My Window" is a dazzlin' album that intriguez, enlightenz and soothez. As soon as you hear the first few notez from Lewis, immediate comparisonz to Stevie Wonder arise. Stevie Wonder himself has already taken notice of this, after hearin Glen's record, Wonder invited Glen to his L.A Radio Station. If you like Jill Scott, Alicia Key's, Stevie Wonder, your sure gonna love this. "World Outside My Window" is pure unadulterated R&B/Soul written by Glen and produced by up and comin' Philly team Andrea Harris and Vidal Davies. Glen is a man who is not ashamed to bring emotion to his writin' and this is very apparent on track such as "Don't You Forget It", "Lonely", "This Love" and "Beautiful Eyes". "Beautiful Eyes" is an ode to Glen's son, it is an outright poem, with pure unadulterated innocence that only a father's love can bring. The ladiez are goin' to love this' the men might be slightly jealous tha00t00 he can translate such emotionz into wordz.
Our favourite track(s): 2.3.5.6
Listening Rate:8/10
Vocalz: 9/10
Production: 7/10 Mystique: Think It Over Another young beautiful black sister to come to the Neo soul scene is Mystique whom also has already been compared to the likes of Erykah Badu and Jill Scott. This genre has seen outstanding and blessed artist's like that of Mystique, but that of Mystique is just a little different. It must first be said that Mystique does seem to know how to maintain her African-American image which also brings out the true nature of the genre and although that may not be new to many in or out of her genre, her vocal's are not to be denied nor overlooked. Her home label, Negro League Entertainment sure do know what the meaning of Rhythm and Blues stands for. The project is kind'a mixed felt with styles of that of Hip-hop, Jazz and a feel of R&B to it. But in all of this, Mystique's vocals truly outshine throughout the entire project. And just at the age of 22, Mystique is heading somewhere wher0e her peepz wouldn't normally front to go. And with 10 neo soul tracks to keep the culture alive and kicking. Mystique, for her age has fo'sho' displayed true talent.
Our favourite track(s): 1.4.6.8
Listening Rate:8/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 7/10 Five Point Plan:
Rare Don’t blink nor think cause these san-francisco based neo-soul group are out and have been working hard together and all this truly showed worth while to the success of the project titled, “Rare”. Five Point Plan have a wide range of styles which they each displayed on the project and just like the title statez, itz all so RARE! Latrice Barnett, whom is a member of the group has a slick and jazzy voice that will have you gasping for air! However, it must be said that this project will leave some serious dizzy side effects due to the relax mode left on! Itz a great project and it needz some mad exposure fo’sho’. When you’ve got four guyz and one lady in a group, you will be utterly surprised, who bringz out the true rareness of talent and slickness to what you would be totally relaxed on. No doubt, the project title track is a real smooth track that has both Michael Cruc and Latrice Barnett delivering top quality vocalz and bass. Indie they may be as a band but, when you hear "5 Point Plan" either live or by the CD album, you will surley argue that that had it made from a majorlabel! This is a multi-cultural group that have much to offer to their growing audience and with this second release, itz a sure winner.
Our favourite track(s): 10
Listenin0g Rate:10/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 8/10 Question:
Vital Energy
Why are SOME fine black-sistaz shy or should i say, feel reluctant to express from their heart how they really feel about what truely matterz and not what the majorlabel (from which this project is from) said should go down on the paper by means of lyricz? Long question ha? Well, Nu Flava Online would like to introduce to many and present to some a true Black-sista with a vision to set the black-mind free or so this seems to be on her outstanding project titled "Vital Energy". A project that deservez mad rotation all over the world. And for the black men out there who ain't herd of QUESTION, where you be dawg now holla!!! Nah for reel, this black sista has got it made, with Poetic Hiphop lyricz that deliver nothing but "net" towards the urban heart, Question deliverz0 some serious frontier on this project and hopefully this will make a pathway for other sistaz to step in! Every track on this project pin-pointz and stressez on feeling Spirit Free, Courage, Strength, Wisdom and jiz being yourself like expressing tha truth from the black sistaz view. Jill Scott has some home work to do, no dis-respect but, this is a must have album for the year 02 coming from a major-label.
Our favourite track(s): 1.5.6.7.9
Listening Rate:10/10
Vocalz: 10/10
Production: 10/10 Maya Azucena:
Maya Who?!
They call Maya Azucena Soul Sista Superstar, and there is no doubt that Maya Who?! is indeed in a class of it’s own. Her genre is still been slept on by the ignorant but her vibes will silent critics alike. Coming from an independent background with no known major ties, this is a very strong release that will even have major artists in the same genre seeking lessons. You can tell even just by listening to the opener titled ”Do you really wonna party”, that Maya sings not from today’s artificial sexed-up lyrics, but lyrics from the soul. The recording sounds so original, the listener will think it was released back in the late 80’s. The instruments revive classics that were one hit wonders in their time, and the vocals just make you won’t to relax and witness how soul music should sound.
