Recording an album of covers can often be a gamble for an established artist, but with a voice like Ledisi’s, this was the safest bet imaginable.
Read moreJoel Culpepper Delivers Thoughtful, Thrilling Modern Soul Statement with Debut Album ‘Sgt Culpepper’ | Album Review
The album’s title is an obvious sign of Culpepper’s confidence—you don’t invite those links to be made if you’re unsure, even if comparisons are not necessarily the motivation.
Read moreWith Unparalleled Sincerity and Substance, Dave Solidifies His Place Among the Lyrical Elite with ‘We’re All Alone In This Together’ | Album Review
One of the hardest aspects of reviewing Dave’s second album is to single out individual lines for consumption—he is consistently excellent, always impassioned and extremely intelligent.
Read moreHiatus Kaiyote Refine Their Distinctive, Genre-Fluid Sound on Inspired ‘Mood Valiant’ | Album Review
Hiatus Kaiyote’s third studio affair adds to the array of styles they have mastered and shows a group unbowed but inspired by the hardships they have faced.
Read moreSAULT Elevate the Personal Dimensions of Their Powerful, Collective Voice on Revelatory ‘Nine’ | Album Review
To move both hips and minds—as SAULT have consistently done and do again here—is to hit the sweetest of spots, which can be world-changing.
Read moreWesley Joseph Unleashes a Multitude of Musical Gifts on Impressive Debut Project ‘ULTRAMARINE’ | Review
At a brief 26 minutes, ‘ULTRAMARINE’ proves to be a sampler of what Joseph is capable of and it shows that the sky is the limit.
Read moreMustafa Triumphs with Revelatory, Emotionally Resonant Debut ‘When Smoke Rises’ | Album Review
Mustafa’s debut album offers an emotionally bold counterpoint to so much of the violent narrative that started with the blues and continued through musical traditions into rap music.
Read moreSeinabo Sey Delivers a Soothing Sedative for the Soul with Her ‘Sweet Life’ EP | Review
Though slight in length (just 4 tracks lasting barely 12 minutes), Sey manages to convincingly convey a calm that lasts beyond the listening experience.
Read moreSons of Kemet Deliver an Inspired and Incisive Musical Statement with ‘Black to the Future’ | Album Review
The group’s fourth studio affair pushes slightly further into the collective musical conscience of music fans beyond the boundaries of jazz, courtesy of its exceptionally well-judged guest spots.
Read moreMara TK Crafts Sublime Soliloquies Steeped in Soul on Debut Solo Album ‘Bad Meditation’ | Album Review
‘Bad Meditation’ bears fruit in its soulful approach and the eschewing of the more electronic framework that the final Electric Wire Hustle album used.
Read moreJordan Rakei Assembles an Inspired Cast of Contributors for Latest ‘Late Night Tales’ Adventure | Album Review
Among the recent work of the artists Rakei has selected lurk some exclusive tracks that feature him and they are strong additions to the listening experience overall.
Read moreFloating Points, Pharoah Sanders & The London Symphony Orchestra Unite for Immersive, Illuminating Experience with ‘Promises’ | Album Review
Ostensibly a single piece of music that lasts 46 minutes, ‘Promises’ is split into nine beautiful “movements” that differ subtly, but decisively in character.
Read moreSTR4TA Bring Brit Funk Back to the Forefront with Rhythmically Resplendent ‘Aspects’ | Album Review
With ‘Aspects,’ Jean-Paul “Bluey” Maunick & Gilles Peterson provide not just a time capsule to days gone by, but also a hint to a future more funk-filled than you may have imagined.
Read moreJon Batiste Delivers Infectious Slice of Uplifting Soul with 'WE ARE' | Album Review
Batiste’s eighth studio album gathers the markers of Black music into a musical palette that is delivered with gusto and deep joy.
Read moreNitin Sawhney Examines the Complexities & Crises of British Identity on Stunningly Beautiful ‘Immigrants’ | Album Review
‘Immigrants’ is everything a great album can be and its creator will invariably be rewarded with accolades as a result, though engaging listeners’ minds and hearts may be its greatest feat.
Read moreMyles Sanko Adapts His Sound to Rewarding Effect on ‘Memories Of Love’ | Album Review
Sanko’s fourth studio album finds the singer-songwriter moving, musically, in a slightly different direction.
Read moreCeleste’s Solid Yet Safe ‘Not Your Muse’ Suggests Her Unique Abilities Deserve Less Restrictive Room to Roam | Album Review
All in all, Celeste’s debut affair marks the start of what should be a successful and promising career, as she has all the tools necessary to flourish.
Read moreArlo Parks Crafts Tales of Disenchantment with Vocal Warmth & Lyrical Acuity on Absorbing ‘Collapsed In Sunbeams’ | Review
Parks’ inaugural effort offers not so much a glimpse at her potential, but rather a startling affirmation of what she is capable of at such an early point in her career.
Read morePrince’s ‘Sign O’ The Times’ (Super Deluxe Edition)—12 Highlights That Further Illuminate His Musical Genius | Review
Funk oozes throughout the vault tracks—nasty, grimy funk too but, Prince being Prince, there is also a smorgasbord of other delights across this expansive edition.
Read moreSAULT’s ‘Untitled (Rise)’ Is a Sublime, Soul-Affirming Masterpiece of Transcendent Musical Power | Album Review
From the first minute, it is clear that ‘Untitled (Rise)’ is further, unequivocal evidence of the collective’s brilliance.
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