Dark, poetic writing coupled with punchy, soulful orchestration. – Atlanta-based soul ensemble Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics aspire to meld their classic soul influences with a contemporary sheen. Formed in […]
‘[Cruz] is sleek and velvety, but never afraid to be vulnerable.’ – Neo-soul singer/songwriter Tracy Cruz – based in San Francisco – is to unveil the final component of her […]
A refreshing throwback with commanding vocals. – The website for Samantha Martin & Delta Sugar – a self-defined ‘roots ‘n’ roll’ group based in Toronto – makes the following statement […]
A steady record with a couple of nostalgic triggers. Â Â – Vocally-skilled, enigmatic, and dangerously sexy, En Vogue had a clear edge in the competitive market of 1990s R&B. Since […]
A passable effort, yet only fleeting moments of blistering emotion. – Perhaps one of the most hotly anticipated soul/R&B releases in recent years, Toni Braxton has unveiled her eighth solo […]
Strong vocals yet a redundant offering. – Nicknamed the ‘Velvet Teddy Bear’, Ruben Studdard won the second season of American Idol almost 15 years ago. Unable to replicate the success […]
Even on a covers album, Meshell Ndegeocello never eschews the subversion for which she is deservedly celebrated. – Prolific songwriter, producer, and bassist Meshell Ndegeocello has forged a reputation for […]
Like the rose in the title song, Sy Smith blooms on this record. – Due to heavy commitments in the editorial calendar, The House That Soul Built sadly missed a timely review […]
A fresh, comforting, and spirited mesh of blues, gospel and jazz from a truly gifted musician and vocalist. Grade: A – I first came across Jamison Ross in February 2015 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]