Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

by stan · October 17, 2019

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Aretha in a slightly subdued vibe. Modern, gospel roots but doing r&b.

Moods

It's as if Aretha took a tiny hit off a joint and recorded a soul album

Thoughts

Great album part of Arethas awesome period in the early 70's. So many of my favorites are on this, I'm not sure why I've never listened to it end to end. On tracks like 'day dreaming' the harmonies just emerge out of the background like true spiritual gospel. Groovers like 'rock steady' provide a nice fun change of pace.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black/release/1884391

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFidgjq9rIo

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Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Description: Album Review of Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

by stan · October 17, 2019

★★★★☆ = Quality release and suggested listening

Sounds like?

Aretha in a slightly subdued vibe. Modern, gospel roots but doing r&b.

Moods

It's as if Aretha took a tiny hit off a joint and recorded a soul album

Thoughts

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Young-Gifted-And-Black/release/1884391

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFidgjq9rIo

Spotify

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Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Description: Album Review of Aretha Franklin – Young, Gifted And Black

Written by: stan
Rating: 4 out of 5

Mansur Brown – Shiroi

by stan · August 15, 2019

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

jazz with an electro hip hop vibe

Moods

Hip future jazz for sad night owls

Thoughts

Nocturnal record overall. There's a certain sadness in Brown's guitar playing. On the title track it can be haunting, letting notes ring out into forever; kind of like a technically proficient version of the XX. Other tracks, 'God willing' and 'me up', pick up quicker with an 808 like rhythm. The sound is defined by the bass players prominence in the mix, gives the album a funky urban thump.

It's a great style but as an LP it gets monotonous. I think with some songwriting focus and additional instrumentation this could go from good to great.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Mansur-Brown-Shiroi/release/12800537

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsHIrqYdacI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOB6Wk22zG8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KNlanLKXWI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kxvVtHEe-U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tvvCtys708

Spotify

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Mansur Brown – Shiroi

Description: Album Review of Mansur Brown – Shiroi

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Aretha Franklin – Spirit In The Dark

by stan · April 18, 2019

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?

soul / r&b

Moods

Queen of soul sings southern gold

Thoughts

Aretha is such a focused and powerful singer that I've had trouble finding albums of hers I can sit and enjoy; recognizing her ability but not wanting to listen to a full LP of gospel or soul. Here she feels at her most personal, leaning heavily into R&B with a southern flair from the strong muscle shoals backing band. The result is wonderful and presents her in a very accessible format for rock fans. While she still sings with gospel flair at times (pullin ends with a particularly feverous higher calling) it's done so in a way that integrates smoothly with the r&b sound.

There's a few weaker tracks towards the end but the overall sound of this record, pairing the queen of soul with an almost raw blues band, makes this one not to miss.

For further reading around her personal history and troubles going into this are documented well in the Pitchfork review (https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/aretha-franklin-spirit-in-the-dark/).

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Spirit-In-The-Dark/release/3020902

Listen!

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Aretha Franklin – Spirit In The Dark

Description: Album Review of Aretha Franklin – Spirit In The Dark

Written by: stan
Rating: 5 out of 5

George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77

by stan · December 13, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

Sounds like?

Golden age r&b / soul

Moods

Letting loose with the radio on

Thoughts

George Jackson is dripping soul. His natural charismatic groove makes up for OK songwriting and lyrics. It's an exhaustive collection so works best as background mood-music rather than party singles.

The later tracks, starting with ‘you can't run away from love’, improve with some added grit.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/George-Jackson-In-Memphis-1972-77/release/4175930

Listen!

Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94f8Q0F0vEQ

Spotify

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George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77

Description: Album Review of George Jackson – In Memphis 1972-77

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

James Brown – In The Jungle Groove (Expanded Edition)

by stan · October 30, 2018

★★★★★ = Classic, essential listening

Sounds like?
James Brown’s soulful funk

Moods
Having a good time with people that love good music

Thoughts
This is the good stuff: tight extended funk jams, some of my favorite James Brown songs are here. A fantastic record and must hear for any funk fan.

Fun fact: Bootsy is playing bass on a few of the tracks.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/James-Brown-In-The-Jungle-Groove-Expanded-Edition/release/576416

Listen!
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James Brown – In The Jungle Groove (Expanded Edition)

Description: Album Review of James Brown – In The Jungle Groove (Expanded Edition)

Written by: stan
Rating: 5 out of 5

Gorillaz – The Now Now

by stan · September 6, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?
Damon albarn’s brand of fun and funky synth pop

Thoughts
I’ll always like returning to this cartoon dream of the gorillaz but I feel the songwriting just hasn’t been on the same level it was on the earlier albums. There’s a few good tracks, snoop continues to work well as a Gorillaz guest, but not sure I’ll revisit this one much.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Gorillaz-The-Now-Now/release/12216605

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Gorillaz – The Now Now

Description: Album Review of Gorillaz – The Now Now

Written by: stan
Rating: 2 out of 5

The Motet – Totem

by stan · July 18, 2018

★★★☆☆ = Good!

What’s it sound like?
Tight funky jam band

Thoughts
Good album overall but the second half opens up. The hooks get a little more memorable on jams like so high and danger. The singer is a great, super soulful.

Can totally hear krasnows production here, fans of soullive should check this out.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/The-Motet-Totem/release/10589795

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Youtube

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The Motet – Totem

Description: Album Review of The Motet – Totem

Written by: stan
Rating: 3 out of 5

Roy Ayers – Virgin Ubiquity (Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981)

by stan · July 6, 2018

★★☆☆☆ = Eh, fine

What’s it sound like?

Roy Ayers signature funk jazz constructed with pop/r&b vocalists.

Thoughts

I’m not intimately familiar with his catalog but this veers to the lighter side as an r&b album. I found the singers lacking in personality but roys funk is in full effect. I like the instrumental tracks like green and gold featuring a solo vibraphone.

Nothing special, he’s got better stuff.

More Info

https://www.discogs.com/Roy-Ayers-Virgin-Ubiquity-Unreleased-Recordings-1976-1981/release/245053

Listen!

Youtube

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