Sounding Off - Brief Article

Ebony, Nov, 2001 by Lynn Norment

ANGIE STONE delivers a wonderful, soulful set of songs with her Second recording, Mahogany Soul (J Records). Her first single, "Brotha'," has an infectious beat and undergirding lyrics that pay tribute to strong Black men, while her "20 Dollars" has a more gritty, earthy, bluesy feel. On "Mad Issues," in particular, the lyrics are emphatic and rhythms soul-deep. Angie Stone is a strong music force that will be around for a long time.

RANDY CRAWFORD is back with a supersmooth recording, Permanent (WB), and on it the soulful, jazzy chartreuse continues to entertain with trademark earthy vocals and lyrics that address real-life issues. Standout tunes include her take on the Bachrach/David classic "Alfie," as well as the percolating "Fire and Rain," the powerful "When I Get Over You," and the jamming "When the Evening Comes." Throughout, the seasoned vocalist delivers outstanding performances.

With his new recording, Weekend (Arista), KENNY LATTIMORE offers more up-tempo, pop R&B tunes that alternately simmer and percolate. His first single, "Weekend," is catchy and rhythmic, as is "If Love Is What You Want." But there are also slow jams such as "Come to Me" and the soulful "Can You Feel Me" with Shanice Wilson. Among the producers who worked on the project are Raphael Saadiq, Travon Potts, George Duke and The Characters.

ALSO NOTED: Tramaine Hawkins, Still Tramaine (Gospocentric); Virtue, Virtuosity (Verity); John P. Kee, Mighty in the Spirit (Verily); Mary Mary, Happy (Columbia); Lisa Page Brooks (AIR Gospel); Shekinah Glory Ministry, Praise is What I Do (Kingdom Records); LeJuene Thompson debut, Soul Inspiration (EMI Gospel); Carlton Pearson, Live at Azusa (Tommy Boy Gospel); Bishop Dennis Leonard & Heritage Christian Center Mass Choir, Send It Down (EMI/Gospel); DeLeon Richards, Straight from the Heart (Tommy Boy Gospel); Blind Boys of Alabama, Spirit of the Century (EMI Gospel); David S. Ware Quartet, Corridors 8, Parallels (Aum Fidelity); Kevin Maynor, Michael Raphael's Jazz Hymns (Guild Music); Russell Malone, Heartstrings (Verve); Roy Campbell Quartet, It's Krunch Time (Thirsty Ear); Don Byron, You Are #6: More Music for Six Musicians (Blue Note); Milt Hinton, East Coast Jazz/5 (Avenue Jazz); Jason Moran, Black Stars (Blue Note); Sheila E., Heaven (Concord Records); David Sanchez, Travesia (Columbia); Greg Osby, Symbols of Light (A Solution) (Blue Note); Lewis Clark, Doctor of Love (Universal); Babyface, Face2Face (Arista); Dawn Robinson, Dawn (Q Records); Kool & the Gong, Gangland (KTFA); Alana Davis, Fortune Cookies (Elektra); Krayzie Bone, Thug On Da Line (Loud); B2K debut (Epic); Jadakiss, Kiss Tha Game Goodbye (Ruff Ryders/Interscope); Professor Griff, And the Word Became Flesh (Right Stuff/EMI); Cherokee, Soul Parade (Trip/RCA); Soulja Slim, The Streets Made Me (No Limit); Gangsta Blac, Dawn South Flora (Koch); Michael Cooper, This Heart of Mine (Major Label); Christopher Williams Real Men Do (Renegade); Jermaine Dupri, Instructions (So So Def/Columbia); and Toya debut (Arista).