Al Green Lay It Down

June, 2008

For 25 years, British acid jazz band Incognito has remained at the forefront of UK soul. The world renown outfit is the brainchild of Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick, who has comandeered the unit to success with their unique sound and chilled grooves. Tales From the Beach, the band's 13th album, is inspired by Maunick's experiences growing up on the African coastal island of Mauritius. Featuring the vocal talents of Tony Momrelle, Joy Rose, Imaani, and the incomparable Maysa, Tales From the Beach is 15 tracks of refreshing and uplifting songs delivered in the band's traditional jazzy smooth vibe. Whereas their previous effort, 2006's Bees + Things + Flowers featured unplugged-like covers of Incognito's past hits, the band gives us a solid project that arrives just in time to enjoy for the summer. Highly recommended.

June, 2008

Ladies and gentlemen... this is rock and roll. What I mean by rock and roll is not the thrashing, bang-your-head, mosh pit-jumping stuff that you see on TV. This is the foot-stomping, hand-clapping, fried catfish and Tobasco loving music that the elders moved to back in the day. It's ten tracks of pure guitar entitled Rare Child and the talent belongs to Danielia Cotton. The result is by far one of the best bare bones rock albums to emerge since Cree Summer's 1999 classic LP, Street Faerie.

"Cause I'm a little black girl/I'll rock your world/so come move with me" goes the intro to the opening track, "Make Your Move." It's followed by a sick guitar riff, a drum kick, and funky bass lick that will pull you within Cotton's world within seconds into the song! Cotton's gritty, raspy vocals drums up the spirit of Janis Joplin and captivates you and refuses to let go. It's back-doored by the soul-stirring "Testify" that will have you bearing witness that this young lady is the truth and nothing but. Cotton then slows it down for "Didn't You" and literally makes you feel her emotions as she bares her soul to a significant other. What makes Rare Child such an exceptional piece of work is the depth of the songwriting which is just as profound as the music. "Bang My Drum" not only has the potential to be a radio hit, but this has motivational anthem written all over it. Don't be surprised if this is a theme song that you hear in constant rotation. Other highlights include the title track, "Rare Child," "Dark Desire," and "Let It Ride."

Danielia Cotton has not only created a great album, but Rare Child is indeed a rock and roll masterpiece. Like Jimi Hendrix before her, Cotton is an artist who is totally in tune to her instrument and from top to bottom, the finished product is simply amazing. This is a must-have for lovers of rock and roll as well as great music.

June, 2008

In an era when artists with longevity in the music business stay relevant with cover albums (Barry Manilow, Rod Stewart) or with multiple guest appearances (Santana, Sergio Mendes), Al Green maintains his status as a legendary soul singer by releasing Lay It Down, his best album in three decades. With production duties handled by Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson and James Poyser, they give the Right Reverend a vibe that introduces him to a new generation of fans and reconnects with those who have made the journey with him since the days of "Back Up Train" and "I'm So Tired of Being Alone."

What Thompson and Poyser have done is to make Green sound as if he never missed a beat after 1977's remarkable The Belle Album. The music is vintage Green, complete with his custom rhythm guitar sounds and horn arrangements courtesy of the Dap Kings (Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse). The album gets jump-started with "Lay It Down," a smooth and laid-back number that features the backing vocals of up-and-coming soul great, Anthony Hamilton. The following track, "Just For Me," is a foot-stomping number that should have no problem finding a home on urban and adult contemporary formats as Hamilton returns to bless "You Got the Love I Need" with his talents. Call it wishful thinking, but one can only imagine the intensity of the music if these two collaborated on a future project.

"No One Like You" is a lesson on how a real love should be written and sung with conviction and just when you thought this album could get no more dynamic, Corrine Bailey Rae and Green duet for what is sure to be a classic, "Take Your Time." Other noteworthy songs include "Stay With Me (By the Sea)" with John Legend, "I'm Wild About You," and "Standing In the Rain."

The music world rejoiced when Green and frequent collaborator Willie Mitchell returned to Royal Recording Studio in Memphis, Tennessee to record his last two projects, 2003's I Can't Stop and 2005's Everything's OK. Those albums were good, but not enough to have an impact for someone of Green's status. Lay It Down finds Green at New York's famed Electric Lady Studios with two of the most prolific producers of modern soul music and together they created what is definitely a masterpiece in the Al Green catalouge. From the tone of the album, Green sounds as if he is having the time of his life while singing (listen for ad-libs and laughter in the background) and if you are an admirer of authentic soul music, you are in for a good time as well. Highly, highly recommended.