Mary J. Blige – Stronger With Each Tear (Album Review)
Mary J. Blige is a modern day music icon; I’m guessing there are few who would disagree with that statement. With 18 years (and counting) in the game as the reigning queen of Hip Hop Soul, nine studio albums under her belt – plus numerous high profile collaborations – it’s hard to think of a person more deserving of the mantle.
As with most ‘icons’, her discography has its ups and downs. What’s The 411? and My Life are certified classics, as are Share My World and Mary (if to a somewhat lesser degree). No More Drama and Love & Life were both commercially successful, but saw her fans a little disappointed and can be viewed as blips on an otherwise perfect scorecard. The Breakthrough (2005) and Growing Pains (2007) were seen by many as a return to form for Mary, and so the recent release of Stronger With Each Tear was highly anticipated by both ride or die Mary fans and those she had picked up on her most recent releases. Read more
3rd & 4th July: Mostly Jazz Festival @ Moseley Park, Birmingham
I know i’m posting this one early, however I think it’s worth getting the news out there now as the Summer months can be a little hectic to say the least. The line-up so far looks great, although i’ll admit i’m only familiar with a few of the artists announced. The inclusion of Quantic and Lizzy Parks (both on Saturday 3rd) make it well worth the £28.50 entrance fee!
Event Details
14th Jan: ‘The Residents’ @ A Lounge, Trafalgar Square
Bringing together some of London’s finest touring musicians, Kathrin deBoer (Belleruche, Bonobo) will front a new weekly Thursday night residency at the recently relaunched A Lounge in Trafalgar Square. Taking advantage of migratory musicians the line up will be changing weekly with very special guest players.
This highly anticipated project, featuring some of London’s finest, opens Thursday 14th January. Expect quality stripped back blues, jazz and soul. The first week’s round up is with the heavy Richard Spaven (Ty, 4 Hero) on drums; ‘Leville’ Neville Malcolme (Incognito, Joss Stone) on bass; Richard Carr (Belleruche)on guitar; and the serious jazzer and Perrier award winner Tom Allan on trumpet. And out of the bag for opening night deBoer has invited fine wax collector, DJ Modest.
This night is an ever-evolving work in progress, live and recorded music to warm the soul and warn the blues away. Early and late sets, and for a short time only so catch it while you can.
Date: Weekly Thursdays starting 14th January
Place: The A Lounge at Albannach, 66 Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DS. www.albannach.co.uk
Time: 7pm ‘til late
Price: FREE
* Yet another reason for me to dream of living in London!
4th FEB: Choklate & Russell Taylor @ Vibe Bar, London
The folks at Aesthetic Sounds have a real treat for soul lovers this February when US soulstress Choklate and up-and-coming soul singer Russell Taylor take the stage at Vibe Bar.
On the back of their fantastic 2009 albums (Russell’s Confessional and Choklate’s To Whom It May Concern) this is sure to be a great show. Tickets are available from Aesthetic Sounds.
More Info: Choklate, Russell Taylor
Event Details
11, 12, 13 JAN: Carleen Anderson @ Ronnie Scotts, London
Another soul superstar is making a ‘comeback’ in 2010.
Carleen Anderson, godaughter of the legendary James Brown, is set to release a live album next year which will be recorded over 3 nights at London’s Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club.
Carleen is well known amongst soul music fans, whether it be as the lead singer of the Young Disciples, her work with Incognito and the Brand New Heavies, her solo material or her collaborations with artists such as Paul Weller and Omar.
Tickets for the event are £25-40 and can be booked here.
LIVE REVIEW: Beverley Knight in Birmingham
With a career spanning 15 years, 6 studio albums, over a million album sales and several high profile awards, Beverley Knight has long been lauded as the reigning ‘Queen of UK Soul’ by mainstream media, however she is not without her detractors. I doubt there are many who would deny Beverley’s vocal abilities, nonetheless many have criticised her material as not being up to standard, and she has so far failed to have that ‘mega-hit’ which has catapulted her to super-stardom. Read more
DOWNLOAD: Mark de Clive-Lowe ‘Freesoul Sessions’
November 23, 2009 by SoulUK
Filed under Blogs, Free Downloads
Freesoul Sessions was created by Mark de Clive-Lowe in London, 2004. The concept of the project is simple – MdCL armed with MPC and keyboards is joined by a rotating cast of top soul, jazz, hip hop and beat-artists coming together in the spirit of total improvisation.
This fantastic 11 track compilation was recorded live at The Jazz Café and The Notting Hill Arts Club. It is now available as a ‘name your own price’ download from freesoul.bandcamp.com. If that wasn’t enough, accompanying MdCL are 4 of the UKs best vocalists: Tawiah, Bembe Segue, Vanessa Freeman and Sharlene Hector.
www.twitter.com/mashibeats
www.myspace.com/freesoulsessions
www.markdeclivelowe.net
www.mashibeats.blogspot.com
VIDEO: Saunders Sermons ‘Don’t You Understand’
Saunders Sermons is an American soul and jazz singer, songwriter and trombonist who has worked with some of the biggest stars of today, including Mary J Blige, Jill Scott and Jay Z. If you have been lucky enough to catch Maxwell’s BlackSummersNight tour then you will have already heard him play as part of the live band.
He has recently released his debut EP, Classic Delight, which steers away from the sounds of his past collaborations and focuses more on Jazz (albeit with a big injection of soul). On the EP he covers classics such as ‘In A Sentimental Mood’ and ‘Straighten Up And Fly Right’ aswell as giving us some original tracks, such as ‘Don’t You Understand’.
You can get more information from Saunders’ official website, and the EP is available via CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes.
