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Recommended if you like: - Jose Feliciano - Ola Onabule - Stevie Wonder
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Raul Midon 'State Of Mind' [Manhattan/EMI]
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This is an exciting CD, which has the flexibility to appeal to all age groups and genres. If you
enjoy pop, Latin, jazz, soul, flamenco guitar check it out. With sounds of Stevie Wonder,
Jose Feliciano and Gipsy Kings, but still remaining distinctly Raul. New Mexico born, New
York based and blind since birth, this debut 13 track collection of originals from Raul Midon
is a must hear CD. Raul has a wonderful acoustic guitar style, combining classical, jazz and
rhythmic flamenco influences. Waited All My Life was written for his wife, naturally simple,
yet poignant. The album is uplifting in a positive, non-preaching way. Tracks like Picture
encapsulating this, quite simply saying please listen while I say
and Everybody with its
inspiring lyrics, written as an empowerment response to the heroes of 9/11.
Gently infused with reggae influences in tracks like Keep On Hoping, a vocal duet with Jason
Mraz. A perfect blending together of their two voices, teasing the lyrics into smooth
submission. This track reminding me of those songs of yesterday by Ken Booth (reggae
influences) - yet still retaining a fresh feel. The track All In Your Mind opening a window
on what its like to be blind. Stevie Wonder is guest harmonica performer on the track
Expressions Of Love. I have been waiting to hear a passionate, soulful, Latin sounding artist
and I have found it with Raul. Each song is worth listening to; difficult to say which are the
best on the CD, as they are all so good.
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Tracey Cope [Just Soul]
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Recommended if you like: - Van Morrison - Otis Redding - Rod Stewart
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Ray Lamontagne 'Trouble' [RCA Records]
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This self written debut CD seems to have sprung from nowhere, produced by Ethan Johns
(Kings Of Leon). I really feel it will appeal to an array of generations. Ray Lamontagne was
born in New Hampshire and has been on the move ever since. A self-proclaimed oddball
he has the potential to become a great songwriter. Likened to Otis Redding and Bob Dylan
with raspy vocals like Rod Stewart, but with a sound, which is quite unique, as if you have
been familiar with it for years. A soul sound intermingled with Jazz, folk & Blues. Tackling life
and love with honesty, the CD makes you listen, drawing you in on an emotional, moving
journey, reaching deep within. You will empathize with the opening track Trouble. There is
the up-tempo Forever My Friend with percussion and rhythms. Hannah has a folk feel to it
and How Come is funkier/rockier, examining life of today. Tackling love in Jolene saying
he still doesnt know what love means and the poignant line in Hannah Id walk 1 mile
just on broken glass, to fall down at your feet. This CD has the ability to question, to soothe,
but most of all it has the ability to stop you in your tracks and say, listen and you do and
keep listening from start to finish, again and again.
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Tracey Cope [Just Soul]
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Recommended if you like: - Michael McDonald - Stevie Wonder - Adam McKnight
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Ola Onabule 'In Emergency Brake Silence' [Rugged Ram]
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This is Olas fifth CD, self-written, and produced and sung with passion, grace and style,
giving a warm, funky soul sound. The lyrics are diverse and engaging, complimented by a
good band with the likes of Pete Adams on Wurlitzer & piano and Don Chandler on Bass. The
CD highlights the effortless ease in which this artist writes such beautiful songs, time and
again, mastering his sound by doing over 100 gigs a year. You get a voice like this through
sheer hard work and mastery of your craft and each note is hit with precision.
Those of you who do not know his music must check it out. If you like Otis Redding, Marvin
Gaye, Michael McDonald, Stevie Wonder, you will love Ola Onabule. Ola has taken their
sounds on board and sent them into the next millennium.
An artist who is at his best on stage - this CD tackles the on road temptations in songs like
Thanks and stimulates your inner soul with lyrics displayed in the tracks You Can and
Alive Tonight.
From the first track to the very last, the unmistakable singing voice of Ola stands out. I
believe three tracks on the CD jump out in a powerful way Soul Town, Heart Of Lead and
Forgiven. Soul Town is a stand tall, funky tune, the essence of which will appeal to those
parents of the 60s, yet young in sound and feel to appeal to their children.
Heart Of Lead is a gutsy, unrequited love ballad, which, in time, could be heard over the
airwaves forever and be given the same respect as classics like Al Greens Tired Of Being
Alone & Dionne Warwicks Heartbreaker. Forgiven being equally as good.
Each song is sung with soul and passion. They make you sit down and play them over and
over again, appreciating the subtle African sounds and rhythms running alongside the lyrics.
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Tracey Cope [Just Soul]
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© 2006
Just Soul. All Rights Reserved. |
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