Sounding off. . - The Best In Recorded Music - sound recording review

Ebony, June, 2002 by Lynn Norment

CANADIAN-based JARVIS CHURCH makes an audacious splash with his invigorating Shake It Off (RCA), a funky blend of soul, R&B, pop and hip-hop, all rooted in the reggae of his birthplace, Jamaica. The feel-good title song is a great dance jam, and he continues the groove with "Who Will Be Your Man." On "All I Ever Wanted," he slows the pace with a heartfelt confession, and is joined by Grammy-winner Nelly Furtado (whom he discovered and produced) on the soulful "Fine Line." Jarvis truly shines on "That Old Love Song." Throughout the set, Jarvis is electrifying and explosive as he delivers enthralling vocals, oftimes with a fine falsetto that brings to mind Prince.

With Sensual Journey (GRP), velvet-voiced WILL DOWNING guides listeners through his world of sexy, simmering lovemaking music. He kicks off the set with the mid-tempo "Cool Water," then glides further into bliss with a sensuous take on "I Can't Help It," the smoldering, Brenda Russell-penned "Don't Talk to Me Like That," and the supersensual "If I Ever Lose This Heaven," with background vocals from Vesta and Phil Perry. Downing himself co-penned four of the 11 songs: "Home" with Gerald Albright on sax, the longing/magical "Almost Like Being in Love," the seductive "Maybe" with Barry White/Isaac Hayes-inspired vocal input, and the titillating "Brooklyn Breezes."

On Priceless (Def/Soul), soulful diva KELLY PRICE offers another great set of gutsy, sometimes introspective songs. She works with producers Stevie J, Warryn Campbell and Raphael Saadiq, but also produces several songs herself. Faith Evans joins her on the encouraging, percolating "Sister," while Eric Clapton and his distinctive guitar spices up the sassy, decisive "Again." Kelly is joined by the Clark Sisters on her take on their jamming classic "You Brought the Sunshine." Throughout, Kelly shines and sparkles and gets the soul pumping.

Gospel duo MARY MARY also pumps up the spirit with its new recording, Incredible (Columbia), on which the duo delivers an invigorating set of upbeat gospel songs, most produced by Warryn Campbell. Among the standouts are the catchy, hip-hop title track "Incredible," the pumping "He Said" (produced and infused with rap by Rodney Jerkins), its take on Stevie Wonder's "You Will Know," and the pretty, easy-flowing "Smiled on Me," jazzed up by the talented, dynamic sisters Erica and Tina.

ALSO NOTED: B2K debut (Epic); Quincy Jones: Ultimate Collection (Hip-O); Dionne Warwick, Dionne Sings Dionne (River North); Wayne Shorter, Footprints Live! (Verve); Rachelle Ferrell, Live at Montreaux (1991) (Blue Note); Ron Miles, Heaven (Sterling Circle); Joe McBride & the Texas Rhythm Club, Keepin' It Real (Heads Up); Della Reese, Della (RCA Victor), reissue of 1960 debut recording; Metta Quintet, Going to Meet the Man (inspired by James Baldwin's stories) (Koch); Teddy Pendergrass, From Teddy with Love (BMG); Oliver Mtukudzi, Vhunze Moto (Burning Ember) (Putumayo); The Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them (EMI); Eartha Kitt, Heavenly Eartha (14-track collection) (Bluebird/RCA Victor); My Girl: The Very Best of the Temptations (Motown); Peppercorn, Free Love (RCA); Teddy Jack debut (Leon Russell Records); R.L., RL:ements (J Records); Tina Moore, Time Will Tell (Orpheus Music); Ray Chew & the Crew, Feelin' It (Charu); Wu-Tang Presents Killa Beez, The Sting (Koch); 4th Avenue Jones', No Plan B (Interscope); Ruff Endz, Someone to Love You (Epic); Rudy Ray Moore, 21st Century Dolemite (Right Stuff); Smokie Norful debut, I Need You Now (EMI Gospel); Eddie Howard, The Word (New Spirit Music); The Very Best of the Winans (Rhino); and Meet the Emmanuels (DoRohn Records).