Maxwell – the singer, who some call the heir apparent to Marvin Gaye and other R&B balladeers with beautifully soaring voices – is back.
Released in July 2009, his first album after 8 years is called “BLACKsummers’night”.The Brooklyn born Maxwell may have cut his hair, but he hasn’t lost his vocal strength. He is still terrific, still soulful, still smooth, and still lovely. Great stuff!
BTW: If you can’t place his name, just listen to the local “Easy Listenin” or R&B “classic” radio station.Songs from his 1996 album “Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite” – “Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” and “Sumthin’ Sumthin'” – are still being played. (Great for old school dancers – that old rock from side to side move, with hunched shoulders and finger snaps…)
With tone, cadence and breath of a 1950’s jazz saxophonist, the 17 year old Grace Kelly continues to be a surprise. What is refreshing about Ms. Kelly’s play is that she is not mimicking, she is doing her own thing. We recall a few years ago there was a thought that Jazz had seen its last note, with the focus moving towards electronic sounds, rap and sometimes over produced studio tracks. But there seems to be more then a hand full of musicians similar to Ms. Kelly, who are making music as fierce and exciting as Coltrane, Miles, Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock. I am not at all suggesting that she be held in the same light as these great artists, but rather having enthusiasm for this music is a great place to start.
Ms Kelly has her detractors, who point to how well managed her press releases, photo ops and interviews are handled, which is true but is a part of the territory for this century. At least she has not declared herself as the “Princess of the Saxophone”. I would imagine that if Monk had the same media tools he would (should) be recognized as an equal to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
I am looking forward to Ms. Kelly’s continued growth.
Some artist are surrounded by mystery and mystery becomes their talent. Others like Tony Williams, Jaco Pastorius , Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Mingus and many others are (were) just very talented. Tony Williams was one of the most creative percussionist who turned the drums into something more then a beat. Jaco Pastorius’ bass was magical and distinctive contribution to Weather Report. Williams, Pastorius and Mingus all died young, unfortunately. There was more music to be made.
She sings the music of Cape Verde, an island off the west coast of Africa which declared independence from Portugal in 1975.
Singing both in Portuguese, and in the language of her small country, Lura mixes some of the musical traditions, like “Morna”, with a more contemporary, urban sound. Different from the better known tragic, emotional Portuguese “Fado” songs, the music from the Cape Verde interior catches you up in its smooth, jazz-like rhythms.
Listened again to “The Ultimate Luther Vandross“. It contains great classics from the 80’s and 90’s that are still staples of “soul”, “smooth listening” radio stations around the country: “A House Is Not A Home”, “Power of Love”, “Here and Now”, “Superstar”, “Give Me the Reason”, “Never Too Much. There are also some more recent songs like, “Dance With My Father” (which won the Grammy for “Song of the Year” 2004).
Starting off as a back up singer and writer of jingles, Vandross’ solo career began in 1981 with the hit album “Never Too Much”. He went on to win 8 Grammys and sell 25 million CDs. Saw him in only once in concert, but, like the rest of the audience was in the “Luther” zone throughout his terrific performance. Warm, personable and soooo talented, you were pulled right in and ya loved it.
Both of these very talented song writer/ performers, born the same year, and passed away early in their lives. They come to mind because it’s Memorial Day Weekend or Decoration Day as it was first named.
Laura Nyro , who always interested me because she grew up in the Bronx (my first home) and she wrote such smart music as a teenager “When I Die” for Blood Sweat and Tears and “Stoned Soul Picnic” for The 5th Dimension. As a kid, Memorial Day each year was the first outdoor holiday and signaled that summer was not far off.
Warren Zevon’s “Keep me in Your Heart” about the “Difference” we want to make in the world. Nothing big, just to be remembered, which is what we do on this day.
Singing both in Portuguese, and in the language of her small country, Lura mixes some of the musical traditions, like “Morna”, with a more contemporary, urban sound. Different from the better known tragic, emotional Portuguese “Fado” songs, the music from the Cape Verde interior catches you up in its smooth, jazz-like rhythms. 
