DJ Spinna Brings The 'Boogie Back'
Earlier this year, DJ Spinna gave us a Sonic Smash to chill our ears in the midst of a sweltering summer. As 2009 wraps up, the renowned producer is back--and this time, he's brought the heat with Boogie Back, a...
Archive » Reviews
This page contains 47 entries posted under the "Reviews" category.
Getting 'Love' From Boyz II Men
You already know how I feel about Boyz II Men. Their harmonies are uncanny and their image remains wholesome as sweet potato pie. For nearly twenty years, Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman and Wanya Morris have given us a consistent stream...
What I Learned While Standing On 'The Bridge' With Melanie Fiona
I've had an appreciation for Melanie Fiona since discovering her music via ?uestlove this past summer, but I didn't consider myself a fan. When I got my hands on her debut album, The Bridge, I pressed play with no expectations....
'Sexy Soul' Trifecta With Eric Benet, Mint Condition And Ledisi
The rain hammered the pavement outside Houston's Verizon Theatre, but it didn't stop hundreds of concertgoers from experiencing the Sexy Soul Tour featuring Ledisi, Mint Condition and Eric Benet. The lobby was filled with two-piece velour leisure suits, color-coordinated gator...
'Just Visiting Too' With Zo! & Friends
Between teaching music to inner-city youth in DC and touring as part of Foreign Exchange, Zo! has been working diligently in the lab on his own projects. While putting the finishing touches on his Sunstorm LP (scheduled to drop Summer...
Bobby Brown Does Broadway
Whether you hate him, love him, or are simply confused by him, if Robert Barisford Brown is booked to perform at a venue in your area, you should run, not walk, to go see that man. Yes, we've seen the...
The 'Evolution' Of Brian McKnight
Music veterans build their reputation through years of constant dedication to their craft. In the case of Brian McKnight, he's endured the battle scars of love and connected his experiences to ours with heartfelt R&B compositions. His eleventh studio album,...
Jody Watley's 'Makeover' Is Better Than The Real Thing
I can't front. I honestly have not been up on Jody Watley's most recent audible offerings post-'80s bustier-petticoat-big hair loveliness. I was surprised she had a song with 4Hero, "Bed Of Roses", that stayed on repeat so much that had...
Wave Your Hands In The Air While Riding Soulpersona's 'Soulacoaster'
The soulful heat coming from across the pond has been keeping our ears nice and toasty with beautiful beats, sultry voices and universal subject matters. UK-based producer extraordinaire, Soulpersona (aka SoulP), has collaborated with a number of talented singers from...
There's No Denying N'dambi's 'Pink Elephant' In The Room
When it comes to longevity, N'Dambi is a soul songstress who has stood the test of time. Her 1999 debut, Little Lost Girls Blues, set the course for her extraordinary career as an indie artist - gaining international attention without the major label budget. Ten years and three albums later, N'Dambi is now a part of the legendary Stax Records imprint. Her highly anticipated fourth LP, Pink Elephant, is a collection of real life stories smothered in a heavy blend of soul, funk, blues and rock.
Digging The Underground Soul With Eric Roberson, Choklate And Liv Warfield
My eyes scanned the sea of dreadlocks, afros, perms, diamond encrusted watches, church shoes, sandals, designer jeans and clingy capris while the bartender poured drinks and catfish sizzled from the kitchen. This was Grooves Lounge, one of the many playgrounds...
Discovering The Mystery Of Meshell Ndegeocello With 'Devil's Halo'
It took 16 years for me to learn how to pronounce her name, but only 10 seconds to embrace the eclectic vibe of Meshell Ndegeocello's music. Since 1993, the Grammy-nominated bassist/singer/songwriter has spun a web of soul, funk, rock,...
Common & The Roots Make The Perfect Blend In Houston
It was a balmy autumn night as hundreds huddled under umbrellas outside The Corinthian in downtown Houston. No amount of rain nor humidity could put a damper on what would be an evening of incredible music at the Hennessy Artistry...
Common & His Friends Were As Fresh As '88
Dig if you will this picture: Hollywood on on balmy Saturday night. The promise of a Common show along with the anticipation of some quality Hip Hop in the mix. There were already expectations of who was scheduled to perform:...
'Memoirs Of An Imperfect' Album
This week Mariah Carey will release her latest effort Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. This album marks her twelfth studio release and her first time working without Jermaine Dupri since they started collaborating. This album is primarily produced by The-Dream...
Eric Roberson Does It For The Music Fans First
Tuesday night in New York City, Eric Roberson feted his birthday and the release of his new album Music Fan First. Fans of his music peppered the stark white candlelit booths and tables of winter-themed lounge Aspen while DJ...
Nicolay Shines On 'City Lights Vol. 2: Shibuya'
The Foreign Exchange is a musical reflection of the global glue adhering our spirits together. What started as two musicians swapping files over the internet, Nicolay and Phonte have transformed their passion for music into an international movement, while bringing...
'Blueprint 3' Suffers From Ennui, Maintains Street Cred Reviewers Say
Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 drops today in an attempt to curb the numerous "leaks" that have been dripped all over the internet in recent months. In fact, I'm willing to bet that many of you reading this right now have already...
Robert Glasper's 'Double Booked' Release Party In Review
Pianist Robert Glasper is known to have jokes but credit the nervous laughter that filled New York City's Le Poisson Rouge Sunday night to his drummer Chris Dave. The Mint Condition & Erykah Badu alum's ferocity elicited a series of...
Maxwell Returns With A Hot 'BLACKsummers'night'
Let's just get the obvious and the default out of the way now: Maxwell has been on hiatus for eight years. Within that time he disappeared completely off the radar, cut his luxurious trademark afro, and lived, as much as...
The Return Of Mighty Mos
I am a Hip Hop fan, so I am a Mos Def fan. I'm a Mos fan from the conscious poetics of "UMI Says" to the flashy mischiviousness of "Sex, Love & Money." I'm a fan to the point...
Revisiting Michael Jackson's Golden Years
I don't know of too many adult vocalists (male or female) who sound better than Michael Jackson did when he was still in his formative stages. Young Michael's range and phrasing surprise me to this day--just take this early...
PPP Presents An 'Abundance' Of Good Music
We're still in the throes of winter, but it's a little less cold in the D now that PPP have finally returned with their second album, Abundance. The title could not be more fitting. Principal members Waajeed and Saadiq have...
With 'The Point Of It All' Anthony Hamilton's Soul Is On Fire
It is the belief of many that Anthony Hamilton can do no wrong vocally. His voice takes us back to a time when music was a little bit more real...more raw...more right. We feel him on a level that...
'Universal Mind Control' Delivers What It Promised
There has been much mental and verbal wrangling regarding Common's latest musical offering, Universal Mind Control. Those of us who have ridden down this lengthy career path with him since the early '90s are used to Common straight with no...
Why I Cannot Properly Review Black Milk's 'Tronic'
Tronic is so bloody fantastic it's frustrating. When you've spent most of the last couple of years trying to convince people how dope Black Milk is and they respond with this hard-headed refusal to give dude a chance, it makes you...
Q-Tip Doesn't Usher In A 'Renaissance,' But It's Still Worthwhile
Q-Tip's The Renaissiance, if you're a reader of this website, is likely something you already own or something that you're looking to acquire. Consisting of tracks that can imbue a lounge-type atmosphere, this album seeks to slow things down long...
The Foreign Exchange's New Album Is Something That Will Never Be Left 'Behind'
It has been four years since The Foreign Exchange's Phonte and Nicolay offered us their vision of what "soul hop" could be with Connected. While not as many may have been clamoring for their return as say Maxwell, Lauryn or...
Eric Benét Celebrates 'Love & Life'
On his new album, Love & Life, Eric Benét explores the labyrinth of love, lust and life on a diverse collection that features no low moments but only highs. It's ironic that this album is entitled Love & Life because...
Estelle Shines Bright
Ever since Estelle signed to John Legend's Homeschool Records, she's been constantly compared to the likes of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. The comparisons basically stop at being a talented soulful songstress. On her U.S. debut, Shine, Estelle proves that...
The Roots Step Up With 'Rising Down'
I can't front. I haven't been interested in an album from The Roots since 1999's Things Fall Apart. It had cameos from some unlikely artists such as Eve, but old standbys Common and Mos Def came to represent, so it...
Black Spade Serves Hip Hop With Love
Black Spade's debut album To Serve With Love, released yesterday, has been racking up accolades since his four-track Loves Right Here EP dropped last November. He was featured on Soul Bounce last week as a First Spin, and despite the...
A 'New AmErykah' Is Finally Here
Du Day is finally here. Now that the longing and patience has finally paid off with your iPod vibrating with the excitement that only good, new music can bring, comes time to reflect. Not about whether the album is...
Nicolay & Kay 'Time:Line'
It's no secret that Dutch producer Nicolay is a favorite here at SoulBounce. More than a beatmaker, this is a guy that understands composition, mood, and melody. While there's a number of tracks in his discog that knock with the...
Jill Scott Thrills In 'Live In Paris+'
"There is a difference between entertainers and artists."Jill Scott, Live In Paris+Jill Scott's "The Real Thing" tour kicked off Tuesday night in Seattle, and it is currently making its way across the country well into '08. In the unfortunate...
Salt-N-Pepa's Hair, Er, Here (Again)!
If you're a Salt-N-Pepa fan like I am, you had to wonder what in the "spinderella" VH1 did to The Salt-N-Pepa Show, which went on an abrupt "hiatus" this past December after only seven episodes. (Meanwhile, we've seen Scott...
We All Want the Same Thing: Kevin Michael with Less Sex and More Soul
Whether it's threatening suicide, boasting about cosmetics, or converting your favorite childhood superhero into an asinine dance-craze, it's apparent that the newest generation of young, fresh-faced pop stars are desperate to extend their stay on the radar for as long...
Maturity is Mary J's Cross to Bear
Mary J. Blige is one of a dying breed: R&B singers that make R&B songs. Not Hip-Hop or Pop songs masquerading as R&B or "Neo-Soul" music, but the kind of R&B that successfully unites all of the above as...
So What Was Von Pea Thinking with 'American Angster'?
We haven't talked anything Hova-related here in a while, mainly because I placed an embargo on all American Gangster coverage in order to re-focus on our soul vocalists. But when we received Von Pea's American Angster remix album in our...
Re-calling the Awesomeness That Was Mark Ronson's 'Version'
[DISCLAIMER: I'm pretty awful at reviews.] When Mark Ronson's Version dropped earlier this year, not only was I not running this site, but I'd just jumped on the Back to Black bandwagon (in which he played a large part), so...
Respecting The Legacy of 'The Stax Records Story'
I sat down to watch Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story with a plate of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cornbread sitting in front of me. With one had on the remote and the other on a...
Marsha Ambrosius Declares That 'Neo Soul Is Dead'
Marsha Ambrosius, best known as the Songstress from the group Floetry, signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label last year and is currently working on her debut solo album set to drop in '08. When I first heard of her association...
Yesterday's Universe
If you're in the know (and as a SoulBounce reader, I know you are), then you know of Madlib as one the most innovative DJ's around today. And if you're really up on it, then you know that he has...
Review: Jill Scott - The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3
Jill Scott's highly-anticipated 2007 effort, The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Volume 3 continues where Beautifully Human...Vol. 2 left off. Jilly from Philly introduces the opus with "Let It Be", a track that invites the listener to not dwell...
Here on Earth with Blu and Exile
While most of us were consumed by the Kanye West/50 Cent "Megalomania Campaign 2007", there was a respectable segment of us that copped Blu & Exile's Below the Heavens. I'll have to admit I'm a little late to the party...
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