Monday, May 30, 2011

Angel Grant "My Journey Back" {2010 Karmamrak Music}

Bronx, New York born, and Columbus, Georgia reared, singer/songwriter/guitarist, Angel Grant, first came on the scene in 1998 with her critically acclaimed debut album, and cleverly titled, .... "Album". This stellar debut was released on superstar producers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis', Universal Records, distributed label, Flyte Tyme Records. {Flyte Tyme Records was the dynamic duo's 2nd custom label deal. Throughout much of the 1990's, their A&M Records distributed label, Perspective Records, bore such superstars such as Mint Condition, Solo, and the ground breaking gospel emsemble, The Sounds Of Blackness}.

Let's fast forward 12 years later were we find the Georgia Peach state resident release her long awaited, and now, critically acclaimed sophomore release, the aptly titled, "My Journey Back". This 12 selection EXTREMELY impressive release, run the gamut from easy listening, lite "middle of the road" rock, lite country overtones, to spiritually inspirational themed songs. It's an album that's a "good friend with a kind message" to one after they've had a long, stressful, and trying day. Let's take our minds on a GOD filled journey, and explore some of the highlights of this magnificent recording.

"Past Present Future", is an uptempo, happy, and "optimistic minded" song. I can tell from listening to it, the rhythm section consisting of the electric bass guitar, acoustic and electric guitar, acoustic piano, and live drums, were recorded live, with very little or no overdubs .... the way music should be recorded ! Angel's lead vocal is very pristine, crisp and clear, and her overdubbed background vocals are on point and on key. The chorus is where she shined the brightest with heartfelt lyrics such as these,"Learn from your past, forget about the future, what's here is the present, nothing seems to last". Excellent start to an overall fantastic album.

"I Wonder", is where we find Angel exploring her country music influences, as the slide guitar performance is as sweet sounding as Angel's 'angelic' lead vocal. The acoustic guitar gently strums, as the acoustic piano cradles you with subtle performed chords, and the drummer holds this all together by not overplaying, but keeping the tempo steady. The electric bass add it's own distinctive flavor that blends extremely well with the overall tone of the song. Lyrics are that of a woman's hurting heart of a cheating, so called, "significant other". .... In other words, a REAL LIFE scenario of a woman that gives 100% to a so called, "man", only to receive "0%" in return. ... and to you all you ladies out there reading this, I'm almost certain you could relate to this :-( ..... My number is (212) 854 - ..... ;-)

"Can't Say", the pace picks up quite a bit in this AOR {Adult Oriented Rock} piece. Everything about this track is "Right On !" in terms of the musicianship, it's production values, the arrangement, and most important, "The Song !" The drummer get to flex his muscles as he plays with more intensity, but brings it down when it's called for. The fuzz toned lead guitar stretches his prowess on the 6 string as he gives this song it's 'rock leaning' edge. .... and once again, Angel's lead and background vocal performance, are what harmonics are SUPPOSE to sound like !

"Surrender", falls in the Contemporary Christian category, and what a great category to be in ! The way Angel layed down her lead and backgrounds vocals, san the Gospel choir featured on this song, one would think she hired first call session vocalists ! ... Nope, that she did not, it's all her ! Once again, the rhythm section, with the additional of an organ, percolates against the inspirational toned lyrics of surrendering oneself to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope Gospel/Christian radio ANYWHERE in the world is playing this song ! .... and if you're not, I STRONGLY suggest you do, your listening audiences will response positively to it. That I guarantee you !

"I Wanna Be The One", is the song where we take it take it down just a tad bit. ..... but at the same time, it's an adventurous song in that it'll take one on a journey of a parent raising a child all alone. But instrumentation is fairly consistent of what was heard prior, gently performed piano lines and chords, synthesizer strings, easy and laid bass guitar lines, cymbal rides, and a 'flamenco' acoustic guitar in the bridge, and a gently played triangle. Angel's vocals, lead and background, once again, are the centerpiece of this wonderful creation of music. Very nice !

"My Journey Back" not only represent Angel's journey back to herself, if that indeed were the case, it can represent ANYONE'S journey back to a place of tranquility, back to oneself, back to reality, or back to one's peace of mind. This record is the perfect soundtrack for those life's retrospection's and introspection's, all you have to do is just open your mind, but most important, open your heart and let GOD take care of the rest. That's how to best desribe this incredible piece of work.

Musically Yours,

Ran Man



Sunday, May 29, 2011

Marlon McClain "TBD" {2010 Mac Man Music, Inc. / Lucky Records}

Marlon "The Magician" McClain, or "Mac Man", as he's affectionately known, is probably Contemporary Jazz's .... well, let's just say, "MUSIC'S", best kept secret. Why I say that ? I say that because Marlon's brilliant guitar work has been heard on many of the industry's top R&B/Jazz/Funk/Gospel recordings for well over 30 years now. Unless you read the album credits, you would never know it's Marlon's funky guitar licks that had your fingers snapping, you shaking your body, or tapping your toes. Some of those luminaries include The Dazz Band, George Clinton, George Benson, En Vogue, Jeff Lorber, Kenny G, "Uncle" Charlie Wilson, the former Trin-i-tee 5:7, EWF's Maurice White, and the list goes and on and on and on and on ...... well, I think you get the point. The man's sheer genius on the 6 string are undeniably incredible !

Marlon recorded an excellent and critically acclaimed, long out of print solo project in 1981, for the famed Berkeley, CA based record company, Fantasy Records, titled "Changes". You would wonder why hasn't he recorded another record. Within the past 30 years, he's been busy amassing those aforementioned credits to his impressive repertoire. Almost nearly one year ago to this date, he produced and released his long awaited, critically acclaimed album, "TBD". ....... Yes, I know :-( .... I'm late :-( .... But hey, give me credit at least for FINALLY !! .... {Smile Marlon ;-) ...} .... writing about an album, one of which I knew a year ago, would have such a profound affect on, not only the Contemporary Jazz community, but the ENTIRE music community at large. Let's go deeper and check out some of the highlights of a project that will withstand the test of time, as integrity ladened original music should do.

"Ain't Nuthin' But A Jam Y'All" ~ {Co-Written by M. McClain, G. Clinton, Jr., R. Harris, S. Martin}

This is actually a re-recording of a tune Marlon and company wrote for The Dazz Band featuring George Clinton in 1997. But clearly, Marlon adds his own "magical" touch to his song that is unlike the Dazz's. On this particular funk opus, we hear a slight Hip Hop-ish feel to it, as bassist Damon Erskine adds his cool, mellow and jazzy overtones to the groove. The "warm and body wrapped" Fender Rhodes chords played throughout are "in your face", as they're stereoFUNKnolically, {NOT sterephonically, No !} panned from left to right. A drum programmed Hi-Hat, kick drum and handclap keeps the flow "in the pocket", . Let's not forget Marlon's guitar excursions as they're as tight, melodic, and sho nuff funky ! To hear The Dazz Band's rendition featuring George Clinton, please click on the following link : www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7-yzfCXIN8

"Come On" ~ {Written by Marlon McClain}

Here's a song that was clearly written for those summer's drives on the highway with the drop top down, and this song blasting ! It's "steppers" like groove in the Roy Ayers vein, comes complete with Marlon's warm and fuzzy guitar tones, along with those, once again, stereo panned Fender Rhodes chords. You can't help but notice, not that you would want to, a "sound effect equalization sweep", or that "swishing sound", if you will. The bass patch, the programmed handclaps, the vibraphone fills, REEKS for you to have a good time ! If a lot of the terrestrial Smooth Jazz radio stations hadn't changed formats, or shut down altogether, they would've added this song to their playlists quick, fast, and a hurry !

"Get What You Want" : (Co-Produced by Marlon McClain & Lomax) ~ { Written By M. McClain & M. Lomax}

OK y'all ! The FUNK'S in full effect on this one ! You'll have to put the blame on Mac Man and Lomax for your sore neck as you "head bop" yourself into a frenzy as you're listening to this song. The turntable scratching, the "funked up" bass guitar licks, the '70's "wah wah'd" guitar licks of the Mac Man, and the just the sheer FUNKABILITY of the track, beckons you to crank the volume to 11 ! .... and of course, the muted guitar performance of Marlon's is what "guitar effect pedals" are made of, if done right ! .... and no one, and I mean NO ONE ! does it better than Marlon !

"Sorry To Say" ~ {Co-Written by Marlon McClain and Patrick Lamb}

The pace is slowed down a tad on this "laid back dirt road in the dry plains of Alabama" track. The standout performance is that of the co-composer, Patrick Lamb, and his rich and warm tenor sax performance. It's woodwind offerings is about smooth and velvety as any sax performance I've heard in a while, the guy's pretty good, he can play. Of course, Magician's fretwork takes us down that same dusty country road, with it's slight "twang", if you will. The Hammond B3 organ in the background give this track a "Bruce Hornsby and The Range" appeal. The programmed drums are subtle and even keeled, not overdone. The acoustic guitar strummings are more than in line with the overall "laid backness" of the song overall.

"Life Is" ~ {Co-Written by Marlon McClain & Jeff Lorber}

On this marvelous tune, Marlon brought along his longtime friend, the legendary, and now, Grammy nominated, artist/keyboardist/producer/engineer/sometimes guitarist/songwriter/bandleader .... I think we all get the point :-( .... Jeff Lorber into the mix and conjure some, what I like to call, "Laid Back Funk" in the mix. You can certainly hear Jeff's handprints all over this track, particularly as his whips up his trademarked "JHL" sound on the Fender Rhodes. His improvised solo fits like a hand in glove with Marlon's melodic and wonderfully executed guitar strumming. Another song to add to the iPod Jazz playlist.

This is a triumphant return of a solo artist that made one impressive album, that still, one year later, sounds as fresh as it did waaaaaaaay back in 2010. If you do not have a copy of this great piece of work, I highly recommend you obtain it as soon as possible. Let's just hope and pray we will not have to wait another 30 years for the next record. Go Get This CD/Download !!! ;-)

Musically Yours,

Ran Man

Please visit Marlon's websites to learn more about him and to purchase or download "TBD"

www.reverbnation.com/marlonlmcclain

www.facebook.com/marlon.mcclain

www.cdbaby.com/Artist/MarlonMcClain

www.myspace.com/macmanmusic2

www.roselandpdx.com/macman-music