Music Addikts

The proclaimed first Neo-Soul artist, Adriana Evans is back in an attempt to reclaim her position as a musical innovator. Her jazzy and soulful 1997 debut album was so unique and pure; it placed her in a category all by herself. Confirmation of that talent was obvious when her hit single, “Love is All Around” was released. The sounds of the horns were cool and her riffs were on point. The soprano songstress was fresh with an edge; sort of like the Hip-Hop Minnie Ripperton. Exiting from her hiatus, Adriana Evans recently re-released her 2004 album “Nomadic”; a mixture of Latin, Soul, Rock and Jazz.
I would love to say that the pioneer of “Neo-Soul” has yet again created a sound that is one of its kind; but due to my strong opinions otherwise; I have prepared myself to deal with her die-hard fans. Vocally she does not seem to challenge herself or her listeners with her lackluster and over-simplified singing style. In many cases, keeping runs uncomplicated can be an ingenious way to creating a timeless song, but in this case she should have taken more risks. As for the music composition, the sound is a bit elementary and has very little motivation behind it. As mentioned previously, I am aware of the loyal fans to Adriana who will be skeptical of my album critique. To eliminate their preconceived notion that I did not listen to the entire album before passing judgment, I will deliver points for specific tracks:

Cold as Ice – ………zzzzzzz

In Search Of – (yawn)

Something – …Ahn

Midnight in Bahia – What Bahia…in Brazil? Negative.

I will liken this album to my feelings about eating sushi…why? The taste is absent and needs sauce, rice or seaweed to give it substance. This should not be the case for a re-released album. Artists who have been ahead of their time creatively can be expected to hold off on introducing their unusual new sound until the timing is right. But Nomadic is neither creative nor timeless. Seriously, as I listened to the album boredom began to set in like rigor mortis. But that’s just me. Online reviews have ranged from comments saying the album gets better with time and it is an excellent piece of artistry to some questioning the whereabouts of Adriana in the album. However, in an attempt to be fair and encourage fellow Addikts to exercise their right to creative judgment, I think everyone should listen to this album to see if it fits their acquired taste.

Written by C NOTES

Okay ADDIKTS, are you ready? Angie Stone has just dropped a brand new album entitled “Unexpected,” and every inch of it screams its title. From the content to the cover, the album as a whole epitomizes the words “grown and sexy”.  With its mixture of soul, blues, hip hop, and funk, the classic Angie element is still there, but with a sexier and edgier twist.

I’m not sure if they are distantly related or just “soul relatives” but Stone gives a warm shout out to Sly of Sly and the Family Stone on both the album’s intro and outro. She seems to channel him on songs like the dance-floor-worthy first single “I Ain’t Hearin’ U” and also on “Hey Mr. DJ.”

But all my love sick addikts don’t fret, Stone still makes you clench your heart on songs like “Maybe”, “Why Is It”, and “Free.” She also gets a little sexy on the bedroom ballad “Kiss All Over Your Body.”

The biggest surprise and possibly the weakest link on the album is the upbeat track “Tell Me”, where Stone actually auto-tunes the entire song. Other favorites on the album include the Missy Elliott produced “Think Sometimes” and the feel good tune “I Found a Keeper.”

This is Stone’s fourth album and the second one under the legendary Stax record label. The album’s title lends itself to the notion that Miss Stone has definitely evolved both musically and on a personal level. However, midway through the production, she had a much unexpected tragedy in her own personal life, the death of her father. For her, the title of her album had a double meaning. After almost giving up, Angie leaned on her father’s spirit to help guide her through.

So get it, cop it, download it (legally), buy it, whatever works for you. Just make sure you add it to the collection. “Unexpected” is not to be missed…it’s sure to keep the Stone addikts feenin’…..

To preview Angie Stone’s new album “Unexpected” go to www.myspace.com/angiestonemusic. Then pick up your copy at Amazon.com.

Also check out this interview with Angie Stone from our friends over at Grown Folks Music. Angie talks about her new album, favorite artist and who she’d love to do a song with.

Written by SOULBIRD

Eric Benet @ Limelight (Nashville, TN)

Think Nashville is just about country music? Think again. Eric Benet (of Halle Berry’s ex) fame brought his Love and Life tour to the ‘ville last night, with a live performance at Limelight Entertainment Complex.

At first I wasn’t so sure how the night was going to go because things started off a little shaky. Long lines. Rude door girl. People asking me to move from my spot when I was there first. And this was all before the show started.

But in the end, as it always does, it all worked out. Once the lights dimmed and sound bites of Eric Benet commenting about his music came through the speakers, all was well.

Eric opened his set with “Love Don’t Love Me,” a well-known cut from The Brothers movie soundtrack. From not enough love to too much, he switched it up for the crowd and gave us a little Latin flavor with his spirited performance of “Spanish Fly” from his latest album “Love and Life.”

If you don’t know, the Spanish fly is a green beetle that excretes a powerful chemical powder when it is crushed. This powder is given to farm animals (in small doses) to get them to mate. Humans primarily use it as an aphrodisiac, but too much can be extremely dangerous.

And dangerous Eric was. Last night, he was Nashville’s “Spanish Fly”. It wasn’t long after his first song that the ladies began swooning. If the ooohhhs and the ahhhhs were any indication, every lady in the place wanted to wrap her “Chocolate Legs” around him.

One of the highlights of the evening was Eric’s performance of “You’re the Only One,” from the Love & Life album. He began the song with a story about how the song originated out of a jam session with a friend after a high energy debate about the good, bad and ugly of contemporary R&B music as compared to old school R&B. According to Eric, the winner is the ol’ school by a long shot – no contest.

No matter your opinion about the old or the new school, Eric Benet’s performance in Nashville was a rare treat for the country music capital. Eric performed tracks from every one of his albums – 4 to be exact. And just when we thought it was over and 75% of the crowd had dashed out the door, he came back and did a a few more james for the road, like Georgia Porgy a duet with Faith Evans from his first album, “A Day In the Life.”  If you’re an ADDIKT, then you already know –  it pays to stick around for the entire show.

The show would not have been complete without mention of Casme’, Eric’s opening act. Casme’ – a local Nashville artist, is anything but small-town. Casme’ is from New Orleans and sings messages of positivity over some of today’s most popular tracks. One of her creative re-makes is a spin on Lil Wayne’s “Every Girl”, her version startes that she is “(Not) Every Girl.” I’m not a big fan of covers, but Casme’ has found a way to make the songs she “borrows” her own. Check her out at www.myspace.com/casmerocks for a taste of the NO flavor she brings to Nashville. Music ADDIKTS will certainly be at one of her solo shows soon.

Heads up all you ADDIKTS: Eric Benet is just getting into the swing of his tour, so you have plenty of time to catch him. Upcoming dates listed below. Check his site, www.ericbenet.net for additional information. It will be a guaranteed evening of simply good music. What more can you ask for? Can’t make it to a show? We got you. See the vid below for a snippet of his show.

Upcoming Tour Dates (Eric Benet)

10/23/09 – Greensboro, NC
10/24/09 – Columbia, SC
10/29/09 – Houston, TX
10/31/09 – Atlanta, GA
11/1/09 – Charlotte, NC
11/5/09 – Cincinnati, OH
11/6/09 – Cleveland, OH

SoulCity

*Soul City is a contributing guest writer covering events in the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area.

Chico Debarge…(crickets?!)

A name that hasn’t really been mentioned in the last six years, at least musically.  Prior to the release of his new Album Addiction, his album Long Time, No See was his most notable project.  This came after a stint in prison.  Chico used the time to write songs and from it came a wonderful masterpiece.  I’ll be honest in saying that the shows pull for me was more-so the opening act, Anthony David.  Yes, I’ve seen him perform a million times, but I could take a million more. Anthony David has such an ease with his voice, but it’s very controlled.  He doesn’t overdo it. He gave a great opening set with songs like Lady featuring Keisha Jackson, Georgia Peach(a crowd favorite), Something About You, Cold Turkey.  He also performed two new songs from his upcoming LP entitled As Above, So Below.   What I appreciate about Anthony’s live show is the quality. Known for remixing popular commercial tunes, David performed his version of Drake’s Every Girl.  The chorus repeated, “I wish I could f*** every trend in the world.”  He seems a bit angry with skinny jeans and women with muffin tops. HA!

A small intermission and then back to the show. Chico came to the stage and the ladies around us went wild.  I must admit I was a bit surprised that he still elicits those reactions.  He does, however, come from a notable family! He started the show with a tribute to his brothers, Debarge.  Mostly sticking to songs from his earlier albums, it’s clear that he still has ‘it’.  After a few songs, he took a moment to thank the intimate crowd for sticking with him through his struggle with addiction. He admitted to being addicted to painkillers for the last six years.  He mentioned that he needed time to get himself together.  “Addiction is an honest record, and I hope you can appreciate my honesty in the music”, he said in somewhat of a vulnerable tone. After a solemn moment, he sang a few songs from Addiction and ended up dry humping several ladies from the audience. My I wish I recorded that for your viewing pleasure.  You’ll have to use your imagination or not!

Overall, the show was entertaining and I appreciated Chico’s human side. We fall down, but we can’t stay down…thanks for the reminder Chico!

keep your soulHIGH!