Burden Down – Jennifer Hudson (Review)
It is still difficult to comprehend that one of the most talented vocalists of our generation was a 7th place finalist on American Idol. Yet Jennifer Hudson did not fade […]
Soul Holiday – Marisha Wallace (Review)
Releasing a Christmas album always comes with some risk. Will it be perceived as a work of festive beauty, or a half-hearted attempt at ‘cashing-in’ on the most lucrative season […]
A Brand New Me: Aretha Franklin with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Review)
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Aretha Franklin’s record deal with Atlantic Records, a remastered LP of Aretha classics has been released. The main difference? They feature an extra musical coating […]
Moya Angela in Dreamgirls (Review)
Having originated on Broadway in 1981, the soulful musical Dreamgirls only reached London’s West End in November 2016. In its first year, the West End production has proved to be a […]
If All I Was Was Black – Mavis Staples (Review)
Mavis Staples, part of the old-guard of American gospel and soul, is back again. Despite being 78 years of age, Staples still has the irresistible urge to record. Her latest […]
Standards – Seal (Review)
The British soul singer Seal seems to have backtracked. It was only in 2015 that he expressed his reservations about recording new ‘concept’ albums. Yet only two years later he […]
The Architect – Paloma Faith (Review)
For her fourth studio album – The Architect – English singer Paloma Faith has gone in a decidedly political route. The album tackles issues such as toxic masculinity, refugees, and […]
Joss Stone with Live Orchestra (Review)
‘Where has Joss Stone been hiding?’ I was asked that question many times upon telling work colleagues that I had nabbed one of the final tickets for Joss Stone’s solo […]
Christmas After Midnight – Fantasia (Review)
For some reason, Fantasia has decided to release a Christmas album in October. Now on with the review. Fantasia tackles classic Christmas songs such as ‘Silent Night’, ‘The Christmas Song’ […]
I ♥ Soulsville – Beverley Knight (Review)
Ms Beverley Knight, lauded as one of Britain’s finest soul singers, took to the stage at the Palladium for the London leg of her I ♥ Soulsville tour. Having made a […]
Koryn Hawthorne – Koryn Hawthorne (Review)
‘Koryn Hawthorne’ will be name largely unfamiliar to soul music fans. The gospel singer featured on the 8th season of NBC’s The Voice (2015), hitting the top 10 on iTunes […]
Genesis (2017) – Brian McKnight
Brian McKnight – the poster boy of ‘90s R&B – frames his latest offering in grandiose terms. According to McKnight, Genesis (2017) is supposed to reflect an artistic ‘rebirth’. Fully […]