Archive | July, 2011

EP Review: J. Cole “Any Given Sunday”

31 Jul

Artist: J. Cole
Mixtape: Any Given Sunday
Released on: July 31 , 2011

J. Cole was born as Jermaine Cole in Frankfurt, Germany and around the age of eight, he moved to North Carolina where he would reside with his mom and aunt. Some of Cole’s biggest musical inspirations include Jay-Z, Tupac, Eminem and Nas. Signed to Roc Nation, Cole has been making a name for himself since he emerged with “Who Dat” and he has jumped on numerous collaborations from Miguel to Rihanna to Wale to Talib Kweli. His highly anticipated debut “Cole World: The Sideline Story” is scheduled to be released on September 27, 2011. Cole stated that until the album is released, he will release tracks every Sunday, hence the title of this EP, “Any Given Sunday”.  

 

The EP “Any Given Sunday” has five tracks, but they are all worthy of a studio album release. The first track “Like A Star” is sick, I love this song because of his flow, the lyrics, the instrumental is hot and he is sampling Corinne Bailey Rae (whom I love), it’s not missing anything at all. On “How High” the instrumental is soulful, I can hear jazz elements and his flow is quite beastly. With “Pity” I felt that Cole served an amazing track, I love the interpolation on the track and he is clever with his storytelling. “Knock On Wood” is my kind of track. Firstly, Cole sampled “Go” by Common and Kanye and that happens to be one of my favorite songs. Also, it was noted that Cole was freestyling on this track and I loved it! I love his choice of melody with the instrumental and how he presents his lyrics and tone, great track. Lastly, on “Unabomber”, Cole is clever, again I loved his delivery, it’s like he floats on the track, his punchlines stood out and this track was my favorite of the five.

 

I think Cole is headed for the stars and many more collaborations, even though there were only five tracks on the EP “Any Given Sunday” I loved all of them and felt this was a tease, but then again, that’s what an EP is supposed to be. It definitely makes you want to hear more from him, so please keep the date September 27th in your mind because I’m certain that Cole has something great in store for us. I know I will pick up “Cole World” for sure.

 

Rating: 4 earphones out of 5

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Album Review: Joss Stone “LP1″

29 Jul

Artist: Joss Stone
Album: LP1
Released on: July 26, 2011

Multi-platinum British soul singer-songwiter Joss Stone is back with “LP1″, the first album released on her own record label, Stone’d Records and her fifth offering to date. Stone is a fraction of the newly assembled bevy “Super Heavy” which includes Dave Stewart (of Eurythmics), Mick Jagger (of Rolling Stones), A.R. Rahman (Bollywood musician and producer) and Damian Marley (son of the legendary Bob Marley). The album is full of live instrumentation and chords and Joss is bringing true musicianship while channeling her biggest inspirations, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin. “LP1″ was written, produced and recorded in an astounding six days. The reason why I love Stone’s voice so much is because she has the ability to sing angelically and then build into a raspy bellow of power vocals with growling and gut-wrenching soul.

The first track “Newborn” is a  mixture of rock and soul, with guitar strumming and conscious lyrics accompanied by passionate vocals. I felt this was a great introduction. On the following track “Karma”, Joss is completely reading this guy in a good, old “you reap what you sow” manner. This track is pure funk and Stone’s power vocals are evident on the track. I loved the arrangement, especially the pre-chorus section and how it crescendos and breaks into the bass line groove. With “Don’t Start Lying To Me Now”, I loved that it was raw in nature with a very simplistic piano background. It was completely stripped. On “Last One To Know” Joss is singing about not wanting to be in love because of what she’s been through before. I love this track primarily because it displays a certain vulnerability and builds then plummets into an impressive nakedness. I think this is a song many people can relate to.

“Drive All Night” was a ballad I could really feel, it had drums and was piano-driven. It was basically about being saved by love and I felt the vocals were incredible, this was definitely my favorite track off “LP1″. “Cry Myself To Sleep” and “Take Good Care” were similar in that they were touching to me, albeit they presented simplistic arrangements once again and acoustic guitar undertones, yet both were equally amazing.

I know a lot of people who love “Landlord”, but it was probably my least favorite of the tracks. It did nothing for me, I wasn’t moved by it and I felt it was monotonous. However, the following song “Boat Yard” was a nice track where I loved the hook and felt the guitar solo was dope, for me, it was reminiscent of a vintage rock ballad.

The bonus track “Picnic For Two” was a bluegrass track and although I enjoy bluegrass, this track felt sleepy and didn’t hold my attention very long and the other bonus entitled “Cutting the Breeze” was okay, but it seemed as if it could have been for a movie soundtrack. I would have thoroughly enjoyed the album without the additional tracks, in my opinion, they were not of the same consistency as the previous “LP1″ tracks.

Stone recorded all of the songs in one-take performances, much like the way artists used to when there wasn’t as much technology as we have today, so that alone is commendable. I love this technique because the artist keeps the initial emotion and it doesn’t seem as contrived as going in over and over again to perfect the vocals. I am a supporter of Joss and with this album I’m willing to overlook the 3 throwaway tracks because the remaining 9 are just so damn good. In closing, “LP1″ was an exceptional effort.

 

Rating: 4 earphones out of 5

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Album Review: DJ Khaled “We The Best Forever”

27 Jul

Artist: DJ Khaled
Album: We The Best Forever
Released on: July 19, 2011

 
DJ Khaled, who is best known for street theme records, surfaces with his 5th album, entitled after his recognizable mantra “We the Best Forever”. The album includes productions by The Renegade, The Runners, Danja, Lex Luger and more. The compilation opens with “I’m On One”, which reached #10 on the Billboard Hip-Hop chart. Followed by “Welcome to my Hood”, which is really reminiscent of his previous hit “I’m So Hood”, again with an array of rappers who brought clever punchlines and swag. With “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over”, I did not love the production, it was just okay. Of course, we all know Mary J. Blige houses power vocals, but on this track I felt they were contained, I wanted it to go harder and Fab and Jada’s verses could have been more lengthy, although I did love the sample instrumental.
On “Legendary” I loved Keyshia Cole’s vocals on the hook, as well as Chris Brown’s verses, but when the bridge section came in, I felt Ne-Yo (as much as I love him) was not a good fit. The track would have been perfectly fine with just two vocalists. However, I do feel that this rumored next single has potential to succeed commercially. “Can’t Stop” is my kind of track. The instrumental was knocking, Birdman’s signature flow was stamped on the verses and T-Pain was riding the hook effortlessly, I really wish it could have been longer, there definitely needed to be another verse.

“Future” has to be my favorite track of the album, with so many gifted lyricists on one song, it’s hard to go wrong. The track features Ace Hood, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Wale and Vado and I feel all of them did the track justice. Each of the rappers brought their game and if I had to choose my favorite verse, I would go with either Ace or Wale. “My Life” had infectious hook along with great energy and I felt Akon & B.O.B. presented a good collaboration and this came as a surprise because I’m not really a fan of Akon.

For me “Sleep When I’m Gone” was uninspiring. There were a couple of lyrics that grabbed my attention, but overall, I did not feel the song was as good as it could have been with Game, Busta and Cee-Lo, it really seemed to be just a filler and I expected more. “A Million Lights” was another filler for the album, the instrumental had an 80s feel with the sounds of a synthesizer minus the 80s quality. Unfortunately, it did not hold enough energy to gain my appreciation and I wanted it to, with such artists of Young Money. I know they can do better, but maybe that’s all they had with the given chemistry of the instrumental.

I understand what Khaled was attempting to do, being as though this is his first album on a major label, but for me the intention was not successfully carried out. The album was complete with commercial songs (which are cool), but did not seem to balance well with the few hood anthems, which is what he is known for. The thing about evolving as an artist is that you have to calculate a way to keep the factors of what made people love you and try to grow at the same time without recreating what you already did. I feel with so many talented artists, “We The Best Forever” should have been much better.

Rating: 3 earphones out of 5

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Album Review: Kelly Rowland “Here I Am”

23 Jul

Artist: Kelly Rowland
Album: Here I Am
Released on: July 22, 2011

“Here I Am” is the third studio album by Grammy award-winning artist Kelly Rowland, which has generated two #1 Billboard hits so far with “Commander” and “Motivation”. Initially I thought the album would be shelved, after being pushed back a whopping four times, but I was so glad when I heard Rowland went back to the drawing board and discovered her own sound to come forth with this junior release. Kelly has been trying to find her niche as a solo artist and with this effort, I feel that she did. DJ David Guetta enabled her to be introduced to a new audience of dance and it was successful, earning her a Grammy for “When Love Takes Over.”

The album opens with “I’m Dat Chick”, which was a great start. I love how the track begins in acapella & the instrumental creeps in so hard. With “Feeling Me Right Now” I liked the track, as well as Kelly’s vocals, but felt the lyrics were a mere display of mediocrity and it could have been better. “Down For Whatever” was a nice dance trance track, that exhibited elements of throbbing house music and she pulled it off. “All of the Night” was a Rico Love-assisted track that sampled 2 Live Crew, which had spunk and was a feel-good record that I just had to keep on repeat. The production as a whole was good and the arrangement was fire. On “Work It Man” I would have liked the song much more without the collaboration of Lil Playy, for me, his rap did not build anything to the track, it would have been infectious, if she kept it as a solo.

“Keep It Between Us” is my most favorite song of the album, it’s the kind of track I would personally write. I felt Kelly’s vocals flourished on the track and were flawless. Even though the lyrics were of few words, they had more depth than some of the other songs on the album. “Each Other” is another Rico Love track that I loved off of the deluxe edition, this is my second favorite. It gives a fresh 80s feel, which I love and Rowland’s vocals on the track were captivating, I loved the modulations she presented. This track convinced me that she and Rico have amazing chemistry and make really good music together.

“Turn It Up” was oddly titled because it was lackluster and did not give me the urge to blast. It felt crowded, too much was going on at once and the instrumental stifled the vocals. I think it would have made for a great acapella with the harmonizations, but the actual track was ill-fitting. I’m actually surprised that this was a Darkchild track because I usually love all of his productions.

Being that I am the ultimate Destiny’s Child and Beyoncé fan, I was rooting for Kelly to do really well this time around. I’ve always loved Kelly’s tonality and resonance and I wanted everyone to know she can really sing and did not have to stay in the background. Kelly is accepted as a big act in the UK and I hope the US continues to accept her as a serious solo act as well. It is certain that Kelly is comfortable with her sexuality and womanhood on “Here I Am” and I loved it. I think it’s great when a female is secure with herself and can be as sensual as she desires, as long as she keeps it classy. “Here I Am” radiates a confidence that Rowland has never displayed before, it feels to me like she’s finally coming into her own now and removing the crutch of her band. Overall, “Here I Am” was a good release, it presented some of Kelly’s vocal capability for those who have not followed her as I have, but I know for a fact, it was not a demonstration of all she can do.

Rating: 3.5 earphones out of 5

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Mixtape Review: Miguel “I Got Next”

16 Jul

Artist: Miguel
Mixtape: I Got Next
Released on: July 14, 2011

Miguel has been noted to describe his music as “fly, funkadelic, intergalactic-hip-hop-meets-sexy-orgasmic crazy, dope sh*t” and I have to agree that it’s all that and more. This mixtape is everything I’ve been searching for with the releases of 2011! All I want from artists is innovative, spirited, courageous and compelling music and I realize in a world of bandwagon artists who jump on the latest trend, that is setting high expectations, but Miguel served and did not disappoint! It’s really hard to believe he is only 24 years old and like myself, he has such an eclectic taste in music. With his delivery of “I Got Next”, I hear many components of funk, jazz, electronic, soul and pop incorporated into his own music gumbo and I really LOVE it. Miguel is a gifted songwriter and producer and there is no one with his sound. It is authentic and heartfelt and I really FEEL this guy. The majority of the tracks on this album are artistically incredible and if I were him, I would have kept them for my next LP.

The mixtape begins with “Right Now”, this track is straight up riding in your car music, the instrumental was hot and I loved the vocal arrangement and his tone. The song “Like A Knife” is one I found myself repeating over and over and everytime I listened, I had the same reaction. This is a groove that will get your head nodding. “Go” makes me feel that Miguel has the ability to make you like any track with vocals presented like that. “Me Oh Me Oh My” was more of an interlude, but it made me smile. I loved the emphatic jazz phrasings and beautiful harmonies, I just wish there were more bars added. I was feeling “I’ll Still Try”, Miguel is singing about all of the things women would love to hear, especially when we are having “just one of them days”.

On the second half of “I Got Next”, the track “Hard Way” is a funky, hard-hitter, which I loved the musicality of, this is something I could possibly hear from “Gnarls Barkley”. With “The P is Mine”, Miguel is explicit and gritty, over an acoustic guitar, that makes you feel he should be singing about love, but he’s not exactly. With a mind-blowing falsetto and timbre, he makes you ponder if you were in that position would you be as vulnerable to allow him to think it was his, LOL.

Honestly, it was difficult to choose my favorite track off “I Got Next”, but I believe I found it in the “Supernatural” track. I felt this track in my bones, the energy of it, it’s stripped nature, his melismatic inflections and in his amazing head voice register, I completely fell in LOVE with this one. And last, but certainly not least, “Let’s Just Be” was a great follow up track to “Supernatural”, the Ne-Yo penned track was melodically, vocally and lyrically satisfying for me, but what would you expect from a dynamic duo like this. It’s the kind of song you want to hear when you’re in love, definitely another great track.

In conclusion, I do not believe there was a track on this mixtape that I flat out did not like and feel. I felt all of the tracks were organic and well-produced. I’m upset at myself that I’m just now really diving into Miguel’s music, I feel like I should’ve known about this guy years ago! All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed “I Got Next”, it is a certified banger and I loved all of the tracks. They were refreshing, yet nostalgic of music I grew up on and I believe he’s going to higher places, I can’t hardly wait to see what he has in the chamber for his next album!

Rating: 4.5 earphones out of 5

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Album Review: Brian McKnight “Just Me”

14 Jul

 

Artist: Brian McKnight
Album: Just Me
Released on: July 12, 2011

Grammy nominated recording artist & musician Brian McKnight is a veteran in the game and with his fourteenth studio album “Just Me”, he demonstrates this effortlessly. Early on, McKnight shaped his vocal stylings by studying the genius of Stevie Wonder, incorporating church influences and becoming captivated by jazz. McKnight often goes unrecognized for the talented songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that he is, mastering approximately nine instruments.

The album opens with “Temptation”, this track sets the mood for the album, sensitivity coupled with masculinity and flawless vocals showcasing infused elements of Marvin Gaye. The following track “Fall 5.0″ is a commercial R&B/Pop song that is quite infectious, which leaves you humming and singing along with the hook. “Husband 2.1″ is a rock groove, where I liked the instrumental and vocals and even though, it was artistically refreshing, it felt a bit out of the ordinary for McKnight.

The track “Without You” grew to be my favorite song on the LP, I loved this one melodically. This is what I was waiting for! “Without You” really shows off Brian’s preeminent timbre and vocal inflections. The title-track “Just Me” is a special song, where McKnight’s gospel background is evident and the vocals are beautiful. This track almost made me cry! The lyrics struck a chord with me, particularly because it’s reflecting on being a human and having flaws, yet realizing the best you can be is yourself, no matter what others expect.

“Just Me” offers a second disc, complete with live performances.  McKnight performs covers by the incomparable Michael Jackson, Nat King Cole and Stevie Wonder, as well as his own hits I personally can’t escape, such as “Anytime”, “Love of My Life” & my ultimate favorite “Never Felt This Way”.

Brian is one of the artists that I admire for keeping substance in his music and not trying to conform to what’s hot at the moment, but staying true to the accomplished musician and balladeer he is. However, with only ten new songs including the cover of Wham’s “Careless Whisper” it’s safe to say “Just Me” left me hungry for more. I completely understand the notion of quality over quantity, but I still wanted more.

 

Rating: 3.5 earphones out of 5

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Album Review: Lloyd “King of Hearts”

7 Jul

Artist: Lloyd
Album: King of Hearts
Released on: July 5, 2011

Seven years after emerging with his debut solo album, Lloyd is back with his fourth studio effort “King of Hearts”. The album is heavily produced by Polow Da Don with Ester Dean, Maejor and Full Circle-penned tracks. Lloyd, a New Orleans native, is no stranger to the Billboard Music Charts with his first single from the album “Lay it Down” peaking #7 on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart subsequent to his massive hit “Bedrock”, which he featured on alongside Young Money.

The album opens with an Andre 3000 assisted track, entitled “Dedication to my Ex”, which has a retro vibe. With this song, Lloyd seemingly wants to stray from his coy qualities and wants to proclaim that he has grown in maturity since earlier hits such as “Southside” and “Get it Shawty”. “Luv Me Girl” has tremendous potential to be a radio single, the hook is very catchy & the collaboration with Chris Brown was a great addition to the track. Another memorable song is “Bang”. The instrumental is well produced and the way Lloyd graces the track vocally, makes you want to go out and dance.

Other notable mentions include “You II” and “Angel” where there are no features to embellish the tracks, yet they exhibit what Lloyd can really do as a vocalist. Categorically, Lloyd is a tenor and his signature crooning is best displayed on “You II”, which added a nice Pop feel to the album. I completely LOVE this song. For me, I did not want “Angel” to end, it was brief, but at the same time, simply beautiful.

“World Cry” was a conscious creation, where I felt Lloyd’s vocals shined most of all, in fact, I would have preferred the song to be a solo.

Due to the content being  more mature than his previous albums, “King of Hearts” is fearless and probably the rawest Lloyd has ever portrayed himself to be. The only downside to “King of Hearts” is that it was not as cohesive as I would have liked it to be. Overall, Lloyd’s talent is undeniable and the album is a solid effort minus a couple of album fillers.

Rating: 3.5 earphones out of 5

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