Sounding off: the best in recorded music. - Soul Parade; Belly of the Sun; The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin - sound recording review

Ebony, April, 2002 by Lynn Norment

CHEROKEE stirs up the music scene with a Refreshing new recording, Soul Parade (Arista). The singer-songwriter kicks off the set with the catchy dance groove "Runaway," followed by the sensuous "Lips" and the sassy "A Woman Knows" duet with Bilal, written with Musiq Soulchild. Then there's the funky "Nectarine," performed with Andre 3000 of Outkast; the throbbing, soulful "Where," written with Jill Scott; and the sensuous ballad "Crazy," with vocals from Rahsaan Patterson. Cherokee wrote or co-wrote each of the 12 songs, which together present a sexy-funky-cool-soulful repertoire of a rising star.

Jazz vocalist CASSANDRA WILSON returned to her Southern roots to create and record the "sinuous bluesy" Belly of the Sun (Blue Note). Most of the 15 songs, a stimulating mix of new material written by Wilson and her unique interpretations of other material, were recorded in Clarksdale, Miss., not far from her hometown of Jackson. On "Darkness on the Delta" and "Rock Me Baby," she is accompanied by 83-year-old Mississippi pianist "Boogaloo" Ames, and talented new artist India.Arie joins her on "Just Another Parade." In addition to her usual jazzy blues tunes, the acclaimed artist also lends her smoky contralto to the gospel tune, "You Gotta Move." She also explores African, Brazilian, pop and R&B music. Throughout, Cassandra Wilson smokes.

On The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin (Gospo Centric), the dynamic recording artist returns to the spotlight and delivers another outstanding, uplifting set of gospel songs laced with R&B, hip-hop, pop and jazz. Gospel great Shirley Caesar takes the lead on the moving, gutsy "Caught Up," while Franklin is joined by Bishop T.D. Jakes on the uplifting "911," with their poignant dialogue set over soulful vocals. Pastor Donnie McClurkin, Crystal Lewis and Jaci Velasquez team up for the stirring "The Blood Song," with Alvin Slaughter on the live version. As is his way, Kirk Franklin delivers a great, inspirational recording with universal appeal.

ALSO NOTED: Bishop T.D. Jakes, Woman Thou Art Loosed 2002: The River Within (EMI/Dexterity); Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Be Glad (M2); Neil Roberson, Delighted (Blackberry); The People Empowered to Win Crusade, featuring the Williams Brothers and Pastor James Dixon II (Blackberry); Queen Esther Marrow, God Cares (EMI/Dexterity); Shirley Murdock, Home (EMI/Dexterity); the Rev. Benjamin Cone Jr., Prayer for America (Malaco); Angelique Kidjo, Black Ivory Soul (Columbia); Jaguar Wright, Denials, Delusions and Decisions (MCA); Dreamgirls in Concert, featuring Tony winners Heather Headley, Audra McDonald and Lilias White (Nonesuch Records); Fats Domino, Walking to New Orleans 4-CD set (Imperial/Capitol); The Zapp & Roger Anthology: We Can Make You Dance (WB/Rhino); Reuben Wilson, Organ Blues (Jazzateria); The Best of Ramsey Lewis: The Millennium Collection (MCA/Chess); The Best of Dianne Reeves (Blue Note); Bobby McFerrin, Beyond Words (Blue Note); Earth, Wind & Fire, That's the Way of the World: Alive in '75 (Columbia/Legacy); Mr. Lover Lover: The Best of Shaggy, Part One (Virgin); John Forte, I, John (Transparent Music); KRS-One and the Temple of Hip-Hop, Spiritual Minded (Koch); Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections (Arista); Lil' Keke, Platinum in Da Ghetto (Koch); Funky Green Dogs, Super California (MCA); and Glenn Lewis, The World Outside My Window (Epic).