CD Review

 Eli “Paperboy" Reed, Come And Get It, Capitol Records 

(to be released August 10, 2010)

by Raggedy

Ever since I’ve heard Eli “Paperboy” Reed’s Take My Love With You in 2008,  I knew the guy and his band, The True Loves, were special. It didn't surprise me at all, therefore, when MOJO magazine named Eli the “Breakthrough Artist of the year 2009.” 

Eli's music, from the horns through the lead- and bass guitar to the drums -- stands out from the uninspired (and uninspiring) releases that usually hit the market nowadays. It could be straight out of a 60‘s era studio. And there is no doubt about it that Eli has what it takes to sing his songs; he's got soul. 

In an interview with Soultracks, Eli explains that while he was making Come and Get It, he “was listening to a lot of late sixties, early seventies soul music from Chicago, in particular Mel and Tim and Tyrone Davis. It's all very lavishly produced stuff, a lot of horns, a lot of strings, but it's also really tough, the rhythm section is always really funky. I was going for that sort of vibe. That was the plan." (Soultracks http://www.soultracks.com/eli-paperboy-reed) I whole-heartedly agree with that description. His first release with Capitol Records, which signed him earlier this year, is a fine piece of musical craftsmanship. 

The album will be released August 10, and I strongly suggest you get a copy. This is one of the rare albums with no fillers -- which is amazing, considering the album consists of twelve songs. 

Anyone who knows their music, might think that the  “paperboy” stepped right out of that extremely creative era of 60's and 70's soul music. His presentation is fabulous, and he hits "them" high notes like one of the 60’s greats. At times, his style reminds me of Sam and Dave or Arthur Conley, for example. Anyway, this “paperboy” delivers some good news: True singing is back!

You will be treated to exuberant string arrangements on songs like Pick Your Battles. The tight horn sections on I Found You Out, Young Girl, or my personal favorite, Pick a Number, could be a re-incarnation of the famous Memphis horns.

Guitar lovers will have a feast listing to such catchy tunes as Just Like Me or the bass driven title song Come And Get It. 

And Eli didn’t do a bad job either with the two gospel-flavored Southern Soul inspired tracks Time Will Tell and You Can Run On. 

You won’t encounter any dull moments while listening to Come And Get It. That much I can say for sure: my copy will be inducted to the Hall of being-played-in my-car CD’s. The greatest honor I bestow on any album. 

My favorite tracks from the album besides the title track: Pick A Number, Pick Your Battles, and the heavily Gospel flavored You Can Run On.

Explosion, the last track on the album, is the only tune that doesn’t quite appeal to me. 

Get it!

Album Review: Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings -- I Learned The Hard Way

Album Review 

by Soultaker73

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings, I Learned The Hard Way, Daptone, to be released April 6, 2010 (available in vinyl, too)

The fourth soulful album of Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings has arrived, and it may be their tightest set yet.  With 12 soulful tracks, this album is an early contender for Album of the Year.   Here are some examples of what you can expect from I Learned The Hard Way.

The album starts off with “The Game Gets Old”, a song about the game of love and being tired of the same sad results of it.  One of the first things you will notice about this album is that you hear more back up singing than you heard on the first three previous albums.  The backup vocals come courtesy of Saundra Williams, Kevin Keys and Angee Blake.  The next track is the first single to the album “I Learned The Hard Way”.  A horn driven track about a lover that she finally sees who the real person he really is behind the camouflage of lies.   “Better Things” is a mid tempo groover that is perfect for driving in your car with all the windows down taking in the fresh spring air.  “Give It Back” is one of those tracks that benefited from the back up singers as it gave the song another level of quality that some may have thought was missing from previous recordings.  “Money” is a song that everyone can relate to as we all are struggling with trying to keep a dollar in our pockets in this economy.  

Most people will automatically label this album “retro”.   It’s a term I hate hearing as it often pigeonholes something that came from the past or is something that is dated.  This is far from the case for this album as the music on here is timeless.  Just like the music from labels like Stax and Motown, the music here is from the heart and that is something you cannot put a time clock on.   Go out and support this release and other Daptone releases as it deserves the recognition it truly deserves as being truly soul touching music.

Pre-order here.

Album Review

by I. Huff

Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings -- I Learned The Hard Way, Daptone Records, to be released April 6, 2010

I used to think that Soul with monumental horn sections was a thing of the past, relegated to fond memories and vinyl LP’s -- just like the memories of a long gone love. That was until I heard Sharon Jones and her Dap Kings’ new album I Learned the Hard Way. If I ever recommended an album completely convinced about its musical value, it is this one.

All 12 tracks on this CD are meant to be the “main attraction.” You’ll find horn sections that could be straight from the great era of the Memphis Horns. And you’ll find that invigorating sound of Motown, making your heart jump with the kind of excitement you thought had died a long time ago. If the sound of the good old Hammond organ or a clean guitar motif still give you a mini-high, you should get this CD. 

Sharon possesses a pleasantly mature voice and, without a doubt, she knows how to use it. Her ability to communicate emotion through the dynamics in any given song turns listening to I Learned The Hard Way  into a pleasure. In a nutshell: naturally good singing without a single trace of posing. Once you’ve heard Sharon Jones, you won’t believe that a singer like her still exists -- considering the mediocrity of most contemporary vocalists. 

On I Learned The Hard Way, you will find no cheap fillers -- a fact that cannot be over-appreciated. Just imagine, listening to an entire CD without having to skip half of the songs!  On this CD, Sharon Jones and her outstanding musicians present songs representing the classic sound of Soul as I know it from the 60‘s and 70‘s. Yet there is nothing on this album that sounds like a remake or smacks of a rehash.

My rating: 5 stars out of 5. Get it!

My favorites: I Learned The Hard Way, Better Things To Do, Give It Back, I’ll Still Be True.

Better Things To Do

Album Review: Seahorse and the Storyteller

Michael Leonhart and The Avramina 7, Seahorse and the Storyteller (Truth & Soul Records, Cat. No. TS009)

Alright, it wasn’t exactly love at first sight, but the second listening sparked off admiration immeasurable for the musicians playing on this CD. They are -- no exaggeration -- first rate. I was not surprised, therefore, to read that several of the Avramina 7 played and/or recorded with some of music's greatest artists like Sharon Jones’s Dap Kings, The Budos Band, Steely Dan, James Brown, and Bill Withers -- just to name a few. So expect to be impressed with what this CD has to offer. 

Michael Leonhart, a native New Yorker, has been around since his teen years. He won a Grammy for “being the most outstanding musician in a U.S. high school” at age 17. His instrument of choice is the trumpet, and on Seahorse and The Storyteller you will hear some stunning trumpet tunes. In addition he plays bass, drums, keyboards and provides the vocals as well as the special effects. Michael has already released six solo albums. Seahorse and the Storyteller is his debut release with Avramina 7. 

What genre Leonhart’s music belongs to, I cannot determine. I'd call it a rather unconventional blend of Funk, Afro Beat, and Jazz with an occasional hint at 70’s soundtracks and psychedelic sound.

Gold Fever, the fourth of 12 tracks, is pure psychedelic sound reminiscent of the great Norman Whitfield’s compositions. The trumpet parts in this piece at time remind me of The Temptations' Papa Was A Rolling Stone. 

Dr. Killjoy, on the other hand, displays a heavy slant towards Funk with a catchy bass intro by Thomas “TNT” Brenneck that turns into the main theme of the track. Lead guitar, vocals, saxophone and some killer drums echo the theme throughout, while the horns add some zesty spice. Dr. Killjoy has become my instant favorite from Seahorse and the Storyteller. 

If it’s the richness of Oriental sensuality you look for in a tune, Jaipur would be the track for you to check out. 

If you like your music uncomplicated though, rhythm driven, and with a touch of unusual arrangement, you’ll love Dreams of Aquarian.  

I could go on describing each track on the album, pointing out the uniqueness of each one. But alas, music must be heard to be understood. Talking about it is like reading a recipe without ever tasting the dish. 

All 12 tracks on Seahorse and The Storyteller are uniquely hand crafted works of art. 

So, If you belong to that neglected species of discerning music lovers who appreciate creativity and cherish virtuosity in musicians, you should get a hold of the Seahorse and the Storyteller. 

This debut album of a remarkable band is scheduled for release on April 20th, 2010. You can order it from Truth&Soul Records. 


Tracks:

1. Seahorse and the Storyteller
2. Have You Met Martina?
3. Scopolamine
4. Gold Fever
5. The Story of Echo Lake
6. Dr. Killjoy
7. Jaipur
8. Madhouse Mumbai
9. Dreams of an Aquarian
10. Avramina Comes Up From The Deep
11. Shh ... They're Sleeping
12. Here Comes the Dragonfish

The Story of Echo Lake, Michael Leonhart and Avramina 7, live