Brown’s Bag released their second album called “Soul Satisfied” in 2006, a follow up to their first much acclaimed debut “Labor Of Love” which came out the previous year. “Soul Satisfied” is brought to you on the vibrant new indie “Soulchoonz” record label in association with Di-Lee promotions. Lead singer Ward Brown grew up in Chicago, being neighbour to Muddy Waters. The strong, class sounding opening track “You Touch My Heart” welcomes you to this 12-track album and closes with two remixes of songs from their previous CD. Ward Brown wrote all songs, played drums, percussion, some guitar, sang backing vocals as well as being lead singer and producer of the album. “You’re Contagious” is a catchy mid-tempo number, which will affect others as much as me, I’m sure. As is “Me Around”, this having a Latin American vibe with sax and trumpet. “More Than Friends” is a passionate ballad, expressing the feelings of a close, meaningful friendship. Ward’s baritone voice soothing you into smooth submission. “Stay” being a mid-tempo tune, Wade’s silky vocals pleading with his lady to remain with him. “Can’t Let Go” is a slow dance-track that will make you pull your partner close to your side. “Toss “N” Turn” builds to another good strong catchy dance tune, telling his partner to trust him with her heart, not to mistrust so she doesn’t lose sleep - one of my favourites on the album along with the next track “Open Your Soul”. An unrequited love song which is gritty, with sax accompaniment, pleading with his lady to communicate and say what she wants from him to make her happy. “Rain” has Sherrod Brown singing falsetto to begin, with Wade’s vocals returning in this slow, meaningful, soul ballad. The CD ends with two good dance remixes “No More Love” (Diskonauts Remix) and “Things You Say” (Markydisko Jazzy Remix) by Marc Mitchell. The album delivers to you a smooth “Old School” 70’s feel with a warm, soothing edge, giving the listener varying tones of soulful music. I will remember driving in my car on a chilly English Autumn morning in November 2006, blue skies all around, the sun beaming down between the golden brown leaves of the trees, listening to this album. It was a beautiful day to soak up the beautiful feel of Brown’s Bag’s new release and it certainly made my “Soul” feel extremely “Satisfied”. Their album can be purchased on-line at www.soulchoonz.com or at specialist record stores.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

From Harlem, New York, USA, Traciana gives us this fifteen track CD, including three interlude sections, where she incorporates her own lead and backing vocals, produced by Traciana and Vernon Reid. Raised in France - the album has a distinct French feel to it. Being immersed in music and the arts, her mother being a model, Traciana went on to study the guitar and has since been backing vocalist for the likes of Celine Dion and Youssou N’Dour. The album title is “Songs of a Prodigal Daughter” - a spiritual/alternative album, which is diverse in sound, most tracks being self-written. Upon listening to this album, I just don’t think of it as a soul CD and I’m left wondering where to place it. My review rating therefore reflects that fact, as I would say it is an alternative pop album, not a soul album. The CD is good and the music beautiful at times, the ethnic feel and world music including French and African sounds are all music I enjoy listening to… but the overall package just doesn’t work for me in a soulful way. Somehow it doesn’t gel or stand out as complete and the CD did not make me jump up and want to play it again. In fact, I found it hard to listen to all the way through. Track 4 “Blowing Kisses In The Wind” could possibly make a radio friendly tune. There are beautiful guitar sounds on “When I’m With You” – this being more soulful, sultry and expressive. “There” is a good song with spoken word beginning and “My Revolution” is quite a catchy song. Good percussion & rhythms in “On Dit Quoi” (Interlude). All the interlude tracks give the listener some pleasing music for the ear. “Everybody” with guest vocals of Corey Glover (Living Color) & guitar by Vernon Reid (also of Living Color), is much more how I like to hear my music. A good duet and a welcome soulful contribution, which encourages Traciana to express more – the electric guitar sounds blending in well. I don’t class this as a soul CD as I don’t hear/feel too much soul. There are elements, but not enough for me… but take a listen and see what you think.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

Abel Entertainment, New York, present recording artist Phillip Alexander’s debut disc entitled “Love You Good” on Abel Records. Phillip comes from a Church background, from Midwest USA - the son of an accomplished studio drummer and Amnesty band co-founder. The CD is executively produced by Gaston Christopher Abel and co-produced by Phillip. This is a thirteen-track CD plus an added bonus song, with all lyrics written or co-written by Phillip. Starring in off-Broadway productions, the power and vocal style of performing on stage is evident throughout the CD. The opener “Mak’in My Move” introduces you to an intimate, soulful voice and a impressive sounding band, with up-tempo rhythms; the band sounding particularly good on the funkier tracks. Track 4 “Love You Good” is one of my favourites from the album. A song, which I am sure, will give him much success. A sexy and frank track to arouse your feelings and emotions with smooth vocals, telling you all the things he will do to make his lady happy: - like take the trash out, love her good, treat her right, make love to her all day and night…. Phillip’s musical stage showman voice is prominent in this song. “Happy” is a jazzy, funky and stimulating number. “You Live And You Learn” being an honest up-beat song. Another good, tight track is “Shake It,” being a well-mixed dance arrangement. “Put It On Down” is funky and shows Phillip’s sexy side once again, obviously feeling ‘at home’ on these tracks and it’s a pleasure for the listener to hear. A groove filled, erotically charged tune. “Waiting For Your Love” telling us he’s willing to wait for her love, “he don’t want a one-night stand, he’s not a boy, he’s a man”. The final track before the bonus “Don’t Call Me” is another big, genuine, pretence free song saying “Stop wasting my time, you know that you’re heart can not be mine. You laid your bed and now things can never be the same”. Crying out “Don’t Call Me Baby! You’ve hurt me!” These are heart-wrenching lyrics, which you feel, deeply. To conclude the CD, there is a re-mix of track 7 “Shake It.” This is an artist who seems more at ease with the funkier, sexier tracks and it is those to me, which stand out on the album. Mr Alexander… “You Loved Me Good” with this, your well managed first album and I look forward to hearing more of your sensual voice.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

It’s quite rare to buy a CD today and fully listen to it without skipping some tracks. This may very well be the case with this album. After collaborating with house DJ and producer Kaskade on a number of tracks such as “It's You, It's Me" and "Sweet Bring” Joslyn Petty, Rob Wannamaker and Craig Poole bring forward their self titled album “Joslyn feat. So Very”. A word of warning: There are a couple of tracks on this album that will force you to hit the repeat button. This CD creates a mellow, smooth soulful sound embarking its listeners to every corner of Joslyn, Rob and Craig’s’ mind and soul. Tracks such as “So Cool,” “Used To” and “Do Watcha Gonna Do” serve as head nodding tracks while others such as “Love Surreal” create a slow acoustic feeling. “Let’s Play” is an excellent track where Joslyn’s smooth lead vocals and Rob’s soulful background vocals intertwine with a funky drumbeat, organs, Rhodes, and an electric guitar. There are a couple of tracks on this CD that stand out on its own and can potentially make excellent singles. The ever-hypnotic quiet storm track “At The Same Time” whose sounds bear similarity to that of Sade’s “Love Deluxe” album will easily set the mood for intimacy. “Jackie’s Playin’ Tonight” serves a soulful groovy song perfect for cruising in your car on your way out for the evening. Joslyn and Rob’s voice entwine each other so well that at times you can perceive the emotions and feelings, especially in “At The Same Time.” Their smooth soulful, and flawless appealing voices compliment each other moreover and the excellent production quality of the CD heightens its creditability. Intriguingly even though this CD is entitled “Joslyn feat. So Very” a lot of the tracks are either sung both by Joslyn and Rob or sung independently by each other such as “Do Whatcha Gonna Do” and “Supernatural” respectively. Throughout this album there are obvious indications that this band was inspired by other soulful R&B artists. Many of their songs share similar sounds to that of Jamiroquai, Sade, Jill Scott, and Marvin Gaye just to name a few. This 11 track CD is an album that definitely showcases how soul, passion, excellent voices, and superb production can produce an album that is more than just supernatural.

Dwight Barrett [Just Soul]

‘Bring It On Home…The Soul Classics” is just that a classic remake of soul-drenched gems that are timeless and necessary to the soul-lovers spirit. As a matter of fact, Aaron himself said that, “…These classic songs have been pumping blood to my heart from the first second they heard them.” This remarkable CD, blessed by Nevill’s angelic voice, houses 13 tracks with a minimal amount of guest appearances. Produced by, 10 time Grammy award winning Stewart Levine the remakes on this album are produced and vocally delivered in such a way that they seem new but still have that same original feeling and heart that endeared them to us in the first place. I particularly like Neville’s rendition of “Rainy Night in Georgia” featuring jazz phenom Chris Botti. His angelic tremble accurately brings home the mood of loneliness, hope and despair. Hearing Neville’s version of “Aint No Sunshine” by Bill Withers was like hearing the song for the first time. It was a totally new experience not just because it was sung by a different singer but you can tell that Neville has respect for this song...it’s artist and the healing power of it. “Sittin on the Dock of the Bay”, “When a Man Loves a Woman” and “Let’s Stay Together (feat. Chaka Khan)” are irresistible gems of soul-sunshine that you won’t be able to get enough of. New Orleans native, Neville has said that, “These songs have been a part of my life. Singing them, especially in the aftermath of Katrina, was a deeply spiritual experience. They helped me get through. They gave me hope. And for me music has always been about healing.” This album shows that this 4 time Grammy award winning singer’s talent is still evolving and that as a singer/musician Aaron Neville has the ability to deliver essence of his being to his audience and unerringly translate emotions into song.

Mut Asheru [Just Soul]