Flashback Friday Album Review: Ralph Tresvant, It’s Goin Down
In January 1994, the landscape of R&B had begun to shift when New Edition frontman Ralph Tresvant released his sophomore album It’s Goin Down. While Tresvant’s debut had gone platinum and he was fresh off a hit single in the form of summer 1992’s Mo ’Money soundtrack, featured “Money Can’t Buy You Love”, he was […]
Album Review: Portrait, Afro Trees
One of the most underrated R&B groups of the early nineties, Portrait returns to the scene with their new release Afro Trees. Since releasing the 2017 buzz single “In The Moment” (a grown folks bop) to a positive reception, Portrait have kept their fans waiting in anticipation for a new album. Serving as the group’s […]
Throwback Tuesday Album Review: Shai, Blackface
The music industry has a phrase known as the sophomore slump, which means the second or sophomore album of an artist fails to generate an equal or higher level of acclaim than the first album. One notable example from a hip hop standpoint includes Mase’s 1999 Double Up, which failed both creatively and commercially. However, […]
Album Review: Smoke E. Diggelera, A Juke Joint
As the world’s deals with the current pandemic, some singers are still readily releasing music. No stranger to cover albums, Dru Hill & Playa member Smoke E. Digglera drifts away from R & B to show off his vocal chops on his new album, A Juke Joint. Taking on jazz standards is a difficult undertaking for […]
Album Review: Shawn Stockman, Foreword
After appearances on numerous other artists’ albums and a great 2018 EP, Shawn Stockman, one of the members of legendary R&B group Boyz II Men, finally gives fans a solo album with the Foreword album for The SoNo Recording Group. Boyz II Men were already the most prominent R&B group in the world when Shawn […]
Album Review : Eric Roberson, Hear from Here.
One of my favorite singers, Eric Roberson, surprised fans with his album Hear from Here. The opening track “Road to Recovery” has a real hip hop jazz groove that I personally feel pays homage to the production styling of the late great J. Dilla. The infectious groove continues on the next two tracks, “Omaha” and […]
Album Review: Tank ,”While You Wait.”
R&B singer Tank returns to the scene with his latest EP, “While You Wait.” A talented piano player and songwriter in his own right, Tank has been the subject of criticism in recent years. Straying away from his signature sound to appease to a younger demographic has found the singer often criticized by older R&B […]
Album Review: Will Downing, Romantique, Pt 2
This past November, Will Downing released a tribute EP to the baritone singers of yesteryear entitled Romantique, Pt 1. Downing keeps the momentum going on the sequel EP Romantique, Pt 2, where he covers songs from Barry White, Larry Graham, Jon Lucien, and Brook Benton. Downing also includes two original songs on this set, something […]
Album Review: Will Downing, Romantique, Pt. 1
R&B crooner Will Downing gives fans an EP of covers with this latest release on Sophisticated Soul Records, Romantique, Pt. 1. No stranger to covers, as all of his albums usually feature one cover with his signature sound, Romantique, Pt. 1 finds Downing paying homage to baritone singers. Opening with his interoperation of Lou Rawls, […]