I have never done this before on these pages, but I’d like to re-post this tribute to the late great Rod Temperton who would have turned 76 today. The article was published on October 6th, 2016, about 10 days after he succumbed to cancer (September 25th). When Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson were ready to record the epochal “Thriller”…
If “Pretty Close” would have been released towards the end of the 70s, it would have been a hit immediately. Today, the songs and production almost sound like an outré attempt of keeping this golden age in music alive. And it works perfectly. Singer, songwriter, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Ethel Lindsey completely wrote, composed, and performed…
It’s been four years since his five-paw rated debut album “Breathe”. UK singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Sam Wills returns with his sophomore LP “Speak” with 11 new tracks plus a semi-dramatic intro opening called “Hallway”. Four singles have been released between May and September, with the wonderful smooth ballad “We Both Know” leading the pack…
After her successful tribute to Nina Simone (“Ledisi Sings Nina”, 2021), singer Ledisi returns with a nod to the great Dinah Washington. Produced by Christian McBride and her longtime production partner Rex Rideout, she has come up with eight pieces more or less associated with the singer from Alabama. And she opens her set with…
Mac Ayres, the self-taught singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Long Island, known for his unique blend of soul, r&b, jazz, and hip-hop, is currently on a solo tour. It’s just him and a piano. And it’s a perfect showcase to highlight his songwriting prowess. Alas, Berlin didn’t show up for last night’s concert at Lido…
Nala Sinephro, the London based Caribbean-Belgian producer, composer, and musician, has recorded her debut film soundtrack. It is for the movie “The Smashing Machine” which features Emily Blunt and Dwayne Johnson. The Benny Safdie-directed movie tells the story of the successful UFC wrestler Mark Kerr. It premiered last month at the Venice Film Festival and…
Harpist and composer Brandee Younger, who released her most personal and vulnerable album “Gadabout Season” this past June, is about to start her European tour. The album was recorded on Alice Coltrane’s harp and “reflects the journey — the search for meaning and beauty amid life’s most complex moments, ultimately emerging with a deeper sense…
New York-based singer Michael Mayo, who last year released his critically-acclaimed album “Fly”, recently added a handful of tracks to the album, all of them with the Swedish Norrbotten Big Band with Calle Rasmusson as arranger and conductor. The new songs once again show the immense versatility of Michael as a singer and songwriter on…
Gary Bartz, the legendary alto saxophonist who turns 85 today, releases his first studio album in a dozen years. On “Damage Control”, the sax maestro and his group NTU Troop start a trilogy called “The Eternal Tenure Of Sound” where they cover ten songs from the vast songbook of soul, pop, and Black American music….
The duo of UK-based Andy Platts and Shawn Lee, also known as Young Gun Silver Fox, are touring Europe this month after the early May release of their fifth LP “Pleasure” on Légère Recordings. Their brilliant mix of so-called Yacht Rock, Blue-eyed soul (don’t like this term but there you go), and AOR sounds of…