Wayna:
Moments Of Clarity Calling all Neo Fans that are looking for a sistah lady with a sound to deliver "Moments Of Clarity" look no further than this for now! Wayna's 12 tracks album will leave you looking to settle down on a Paradise Island almost instantly from hearing the first track. As we have reported before here @ Nu Flava Online that, in this genre, they are at their very best even while at this independent level. The quality of this project is so real and, it's like Wayna herself knows where her audience has been or is willing to go. Just a quick reminder, when next your introducing any of your peeps to this genre, instead of using example artists Jill Scott, Vivian Green, Erykah Badu just use the name Wayna Wondwossen and that will keep their mind still!!!
"Moments Of Clarity" is a ground breaking release that is sure to encourange, equip, strengthen and rebuild the uncompleted.
Our favourite track(s): 1.4.5.8.10
Listening Rate:10/10
Vocalz: 9/10
Production: 9/10 Cooly's Hot-Box:
Don't Be Afraid Get On "Don't Be Afraid-Get On" is the first new music in three years from New York based soul band Cooly's Hot box. The 11 track CD features lead vocals on seven cuts from the highly acclaimed Angela Johnson and lead vocals on the remaining tracks from drummer and founder Christian Urich. This project also showcases the ever expanding production and writing skills of Angela and Christian. "Don't Be Afraid-Get On" is a versatile, melodic, infectious hybrid of r&b, neo-soul, funk, dance, soulful house and rhythmic jazz, fused into a sound that is familiar, but yet unique.
Our favourite track(s): 1.2.4.7.8
Listening Rate:7/10
Vocalz: 6/10
Production: 6/10 Rahsaan Patterson:
After Hours Basically, as far as we are concerned, Rahsaan Patterson is just another one of those multi-talented artists that have been slept on! But of course, this should be no worry to him because, he is one of a kind in this genre. He has three albums to date, Rahsaan Patterson, Love in Stereo and After Hours released in 2004. After Hours, is Rahsaan Patterson at his best both spiritually, mentally, vocally and all that makes him as one. His voice on this release, just keeps on going from strength to strength, but the overall thing that makes Rahsaan standout from others in his genre, is his consistency. After Hours, is a continuos journey from his self release debut back in 1997 and is a shinning star!
Our favourite track(s): 1.2.3.5.8
Listening Rate: 9/10
Vocalz: 10/10
Production: 8/10 Julie Dexter:
Conscious With this release being her third project, Julie Dexter seems to have set her influence at a different level compared to her second project "Dexterity" which is a master piece of work. However, her roots which is Birmingham London England, seems to have rubbed off her on "Concious". And the reggae flavor also seems to have no entrance on this release! These two major missing elements are the enrichment of Julie Dexter. "Concious" is a much slower, slow-tempo release that doesn't seem to deliver a cheer or a smile compared to previous releases.
Our favourite track(s): 1.2.6.10
Listening Rate: 7/10
Vocalz: 7/10
Production: 7/10 Michael Johnson:
The Servant Master When listening to "the servant master" be sure you have someone close by to call you back to mother earth as this release is as trancing as going into space. Smooth like Donnell Jones but compared him has a slower tempo, Michael Johnson knows the right buttons to push when relaxing with a love one or coming to an understanding of the spirit realm! If your looking for an album that keeps your body, soul, mind and spirit connected with no interference whatsoever, then the servant master is a must have in your smooth grooves collection.
Our favourite track(s): 3.4.5.6.8
Listening Rate: 9/10
Vocalz: 7/10
Production: 8/10 Yewande:
Self-Titled With a voice like that of Yewande (pronounced e-wan-day), it would be silly to categorize her style of music in just one genre. Yewande's debut, a Self-Titled EP, ranges from Rock to Opera with Soul attached so it falls in the Alternative Soul genre It is Yewande's talented voice that allows her to relate to a different market. "Rufus", which also appears on the Organic Soul project, is a track to listen to if your keen on wondering how a mixture of Country+slow Rock+Soul sounds like. "Dream", is an aggressive funky track and is a track that Independent artist should stand up and believe in because it is revelant. Now, the track not to sleep on is "Rapture" although, it might take a while for you to sink into, its another track that highlights the roots of Yewande's vocals. Yewande's debut, is a thirst quencher for those still in the wilderness!
Our favourite track(s): 3
Listening Rate: 8/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 7/10 Salakida:
Salakida Another independent artist showing the way forth of how organic music should grow which bares it's fruit on fertile ground. Opening up with don't make me wait will have your body swerving side to side. It's a melody track with a soft groove to it. Salakida has a soft voice even verses the more uptempo tracks on this release. The instruments throughout the project are leveled up very well which leaves the listeners ears attentive to her vocals and not just the beats. Strugglin, is an outstanding track that deserves all the radio play it can get. While some artists in this genre prefer to keep with the same bar notes, Salakia shows her other creative side with gettin' with u. It's got a slight Hip Hop freestyle beat to it and it marries well with her vocals. Another vocally hot track to listen out for is track 9 titlted in love. If your simply looking for organic neosoul music with no commercial compromising elements found inside, Salakida is your artist. You dare not overlook nor sleep on this 2005 project.
Our favourite track(s): 3.4.10 Listening Rate: 7/10
Vocalz: 8/10
Production: 6/10 Adrianne Archie:
HTHAELHH This is what this genre is hungry for, homegrown soul artist's coming out to testify without the dependency of that next major soul artist to do it! Don't let the project title already get you confused because "He That Hath An Ear, Let Him Hear" not just the production but the soul sweeping lyrics. If its about using a style of music to capture the lost and hell bound, Adrianne Archie has been chosen to do just that. If there are more (which there most be) more independently driven Soul Sistahz like Adrianne please can you have your release alive and well just like hers. For the sake of the Neo dummies, it is of great temptation to have this release labeled as NeoInspi a new genre for Neo Inspirational music. Let's hope this release will not fall into the revealed then lost music category. HTHAELHH, is highly recommended project for getting the soul retuned.
Highlite trackz: 3.5.7.12.17 Listening Rate: 9/10 Vocalz: 8/10 Production: 8/10
Choklate Straight up! Choklate is a female ambassador for not only the independent music market but also for artist's that know how to sing from the heart and not just to make a certain music label happy! This self-titled debut release will or should for sure have a lot of soul artists signed to majors, looking at the meaning of the word freedom of expression. The vocal and writing skills from Choklate grabs the listeners attention from the soul and not just the ear. Forget about the similarities and comparatives because this young talented lady is in a class of her own. Kajmere Sound Recordings is a superb independent label that is holding its own ground in nurturing the finest homegrown artists. At last, a fine collection of producers that understand how to produce not just for Hits, but on keeping organic music alive! Recommended for luvers and searchers of rare organic soul music.
Highlite trackz: 2.4.13 Listening Rate: 9/10 Vocalz: 9/10 Production: 10/10
Marva King:
Soul Sistah
Here is an artist that has been, involved with some of the greatest artists in today’s music industry. Soul music will do her good but there is more to her collaborations with these great artists. The CD cover of the Soul Sistah could easily be misjudged as a funky soul album, but M.K retains her strong vocals well with consistency. There is a mixture of both modern soul and motown soul such as Be Thankful, a slow-tempo track. All in all, this debut release is a treat that holds, 18 tracks including the bonus Wanna Be which really does highlight the M.K’s vocal arrangement.
