One of the most talented men in indie music, Eric Roberson, kicked off his 30th-anniversary tour last night in Pittsburgh, so for this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I decided to revisit Mr. Roberson’s third album, The Vault 1.5, which hit record stores in 2003. As Erro fans know, Roberson initially hit the scene with the lovely ballad “The Moon” while studying at Howard University. Roberson’s first record deal didn’t go as planned, but not one to just lay down, Roberson continued to build a name for himself by writing for the likes of 112 and Will Smith. Additionally, Roberson collaborated with Jill Scott, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Cam’ron.
Undoubtedly, a defining characteristic of this album is the intense soulfulness and finesse that permeates Roberson’s vocals. His proficiency in conveying emotional depth through his voice deserves due admiration. The dynamism with which he executes potent notes or produces fragile harmonies underlines the allure and engagement of his vocal performances. Upon revisiting The Vault 1.5 at age forty-two, another exemplary feature lies within Roberson’s songwriting skills. His lyrics emanate authenticity and reflective thoughts, which resonate deeply on an existential level.
As a guide through life experiences such as love and heartbreak, along with self-realization and societal themes, Roberson makes listeners feel intimately connected to his music. The production quality of the record is commendably exquisite, with every track displaying expert instrumentation backed by prudently executed arrangements. On top of this, Roberson’s dynamic musical prowess shines through with R&B embellishments complemented by elements drawn from Soul, Jazz, and sporadic Hip-Hop influences, resulting in a diversified sound spectrum.
Since the release of this album, Roberson has released numerous albums, and he’s arguably one of the best live performers in the game. Please check him out on his latest tour.
Final Grade: B+
The Vault 1.5. is available on all streaming platforms.
Academy Award Nominee Colin Farrell returns his talents to the small screen in “Sugar” from Apple TV. Iconic screenwriter Mark Protosevich served as showrunner and wrote four episodes. Fernando Meirelles directs all episodes of the series. John Sugar (Farrell), an American private investigator, is investigating the mysterious disappearance of Olivia Siegel (Sydney Chandler).
Diarra Kilpatrick, an Emmy Award-winning actress, has partnered with the esteemed executive producer Kenya Barris to showcase her talents in the comedic mystery series “Diarra from Detroit,” exclusively available on the BET+ streaming platform. The narrative follows Diarra (portrayed by Kilpatrick), who is currently undergoing divorce proceedings with Francois, also known as Swa (played by Morris Chestnut). She relocates to her old community after receiving counsel from her confidant, Aja (played by Dominque Perry), and colleague, Mr. Tea (played by Bryan Terrel Clark).
Apple TV has brought to life James L. Swanson’s critically acclaimed non-fiction book “Manhunt” in the form of an enthralling TV series with the same name. The show’s plot revolves around the aftermath of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and the subsequent hunt for John Wilkes Booth, the culprit behind the heinous crime. The program is directed by Carl Franklin and overseen by Monica Beletsky, who serves as the showrunner, ensuring a well-crafted narrative that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish.
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