Eugene is an up and coming indie MC, who has a similar lyrical style to Talib Kweli and Common. He isn’t straight hip-hop, which is why I like his sound so much. Eugene sings from the soul, and this shows raw quality talent. Eugene does the both extremely well weather it’s hip-hop or soul. Yet his genius in creativity never fails to impress. Expect to hear Jazz, Drum and Bass, with spoken word, about love and life’s tribulations. Signed to Throughline Records, Eugene had a musical life before hand. Eric Roberson requested him to play saxophone on ‘Past Paradise’ that was released on a compilation called ‘The Soul Lounge Volume One’. Not many independent artists can say that they are as diverse and talented as much as this Starving Artist can. He is a teacher as well as a music creator, helping children develop their everyday skills for a better future. The lyrics are real, and from the heart of a deep mind. The powerful live band, with deep bass lines and drum rhythms to shake the roof; IV could easily be big in the underground circuit. ‘Starving Artist’ has some incredible tracks, ‘Dear MC’, ‘One Too’, ‘Get It’, ‘Write On’ and ‘The Brink’ are a few of my preferred numbers. ‘One Too’ has a great piano with jazz chords, his lyrics shows us his feelings for someone, and it shows that not all rappers have to be numb and ghetto fabulous to be lyrically impressive. With funky fashion, inspirational lyrics and grooves in one album that would impress the late Funk legends, Eugene is going places. Another appreciated track for me is ‘Write On’, with soulful chords and nice horn sections. This is a very solid, confident and experimental first release from this talented MC. His lyrics feature no explicitly wording, which proves the power of intelligence and making sense is something to be admired rather than all the swearing that is filled in much of the Black modern hip-hop records from Missy Elliot to NWA. No frills can be expected from Eugene IV, his music, he keeps to the point and always has meaning remaining in the lyrics.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Alison David’s album is all her song’s she is most proud of put together. It’s a Jazz Acoustic set, with a few surprises. Her singing is unique and really fits acoustic sounds and real instruments; that can create an angelic sound to fit her gentle yet powerful voice. I hope that she releases a full acoustic album, because that where she shows her talent at her best. There are relations vocally to Joan Armatrading; it’s a haunting soulful voice. Alison captivates you with her acoustic songs; lyrically they are filled with creative freedom, and inspiration. Her talents shine on this superb album; it’s more of a scrapbook rather than an album. Alison told me that it’s a collection of her best songs, on one CD entitled ‘Believe’. The songs range from Acoustic, Dance to Funky Jazz numbers. Alison’s sound is mature and suitable for any one who understands real music. She keeps her uniqueness fresh through out with a new sense of freedom in each song. Lyrically, she writes from emotion to touch someone and inspire. They are real lyrics, far from being artificial. Alison David is an artist in touch with her spiritual side, which means she is human just like us, not carried away with the success of her music. Inspiration is high on this collection of gems, though there is only one song I dislike and that’s at the start. ‘Through The Rain’ its called, with a more trance sound, however vocally Alison sounds as good as ever. With her distinctive looks, colourful music, and imaginative words, ‘Believe’ takes you on a journey through her career. No Limit Records signed her a deal, and through this she is now able to distribute her soul full of songs. Different, creative, and a long kept secret are a few ways to describe Alison David. The future is all that waits for her, which will provide us with some more music to add to a volume two collection, hopefully.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

I have been a supportive fan of the lady of modern Jazz for way over three years now, so it’s about time that I write a review. ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’ is my favourite album of Cassandra’s impressive discography. It’s a dark, moody, inspiring and creative album. It’s a landscape of sentiment. Arranged and produced by Chris Whitley and Cassandra Wilson, ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’ is spell bounding, and proves us that real instruments still exist in recent recordings. Jazz music is an art form like no other genre. It has to be taken seriously in order for it to sound like Jazz, which is why a lot of Jazz records are very sophisticate. The minority can only listen to mature Jazz. It’s modern Jazz at its best, with real musicianship, and honestly written lyrical content, makes each song magical and personal. However, a lot of the Jazz tracks are covers, there are officially three of Cassandra’s own works. Song’s ‘Sankova’, ‘Redbone’ and ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’, are all originals. Artists such as Robert Johnson, Joni Mitchell and Ann Pebbles to name a few are of inspiration to her, as she does some incredible Jazz versions. An eclectic bunch of artists from different cultural upbringings, Cassandra Wilson is a woman with a Queen like spirit, and a stage presence of a Jazz legend. In the music world there are artists who miss out the word art, in the word artists, Cassandra stays true to the meaning behind what artists accomplish. ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’ is a new day classic, a record that in ten years time can be reflected on as a reminder that music still was alive when growing up (baring in mind I am 18). Jazz, Blues, Folk and Acoustic compositions are the many fusions that C.Wilson uses to satisfy her creative cipher. The complex Jazz rhythms, and deep sounding vocals are a blissful nirvana for relaxation and meaning. I can put this album on any time and still feel the appreciation I had the first day I bought it. ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’ is one of many incredible albums in the modern Jazz scene. But Cassandra Wilson seems to be on top of my list when it comes to artistry. Look out for other albums such as ‘Belly Of The Sun’, which features a duet with India Arie on ‘Just Another Parade’. ‘Blue Moon Daughter’ has great covers on such as ‘Harvest Moon’ by Neil Young. ‘Blue Light Til Dawn’ is my favourite Cassandra Wilson album because the moods, emotion and craft. It is well worth the purchase.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

K’Alyn (pronounced K-Allen) has released a great new album. Insightful, creative, lyrically poetic, retro and organic, are just a few descriptions. Already K’Alyn has support from Meshell NDegeocello, his music has a raw quality and vocally he is smooth and sultry. The fusion of music from Rock guitars to Soulful chords makes this an album of the month for JustSoul. K’Alyn has had previous albums such as ‘CoCo’ and ‘The Beauty Of…’ but this album will surely destine him to success. He was asked by Meshell to tour around Europe, Japan and USA, appearing on the late night TV Shows, Jay Leno and Carson Daly, also he began being a lead guitarist for Raheem Devaughns band. All this musical experience gives the guy confidence and stage charisma, ‘Verse One, Chapter III’ is really impressive. K’Alyn produce and wrote six songs, one of which is the ‘Introlude’. His incredible skills allow him to have the ultimate in creative freedom. K’Alyn is definitely a true artist; he is a stylish man in fashion and music. He is open minded and experimental, which is for me a good point. He combines musical genres, pushing down all restrictions to how Soul music should sound like. K'Alyn is an innovator in modern day Soul music, with a captivating sound. He has worked with numerous people on this album, such as DJ’s producers, the lot. From Chris Downing to Jon Laine, the talent that is shared on this record is endless. The fact that K’Alyn had a childhood crammed with music; shows up in the quality of his music, and the quantity of real emotion in it. He started doing this music thing for years before he started releasing his own ideas to the world. It was a very good move to make, as there are many impressive songs he has created. ‘Reflections’, ‘U 4 Me’, ‘I Encourage’, ‘1000 x’, ‘Labour of Love’ and much more are all mind blowing music. Vocally he is smooth, he has high pitches but can range right down to low tonality. Songs like ‘Less Than’ are amazing, as the set has a Rocked out vibe to it, that gives Soul enegery that it is possibly missing in 2005. Infectious, addictive and original is the things that come to mind about K’Alyns album ‘Verse One, Chapter III’.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

This up and coming Jazz vocalist can be compared to modern artists like Ledisi and Cassandra Wilson. There is something very spiritual about a Lizz Wright song and her voice has a presence. Signed to the coolest Jazz label, Verve Records, she has released ‘Salt’. It has an eclectic mix of Gospel, Folk, Blues and Jazz, with a voice reminiscent of Billy and Aretha. Produced by Tommy LiPuma, Brian Blade and John Cowherd, Lizz gets her vocals on some of today’s finest Jazz recordings. This is her first debut and many of the songs are covers, from artists such as Oscar Brown JR, Charlie Smalls, Chick Corea, Gordon Jenkins, and Brian Blade. ‘Salt’, ‘Eternity’, ‘Fire’ and ‘Silence’ are all Lizz Wright’s creations. Song’s such as ‘Open Your Eyes You Can Fly’, ‘Walk With Me, Lord’ and ‘Vocalist/End of the Line’ are all uplifting and emotional Jazz standards. My favourite cover is ‘Afro Blue’ by Mongo Santamaria and Oscar Brown JR; it has beautiful acoustic piano and guitar by Danilo Perez and John Hart. ‘Eternity’ is a beautiful mellowed out live set; that has incredible yet simple string arrangements. The album sounds similar to Jazz singers like Norah Jones and Rachelle Farrell. ‘Goodbye’ is another smoothly sung, inspirationally written song. The maximum in emotion will be felt in ‘Vocalist/End of the Line’, an amazing, spiritual, soul and heartfelt number. The debut is overall a stunner, be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for the new star that is already shining. ‘Fire’, ‘Blue Rose’ are two other beautiful compositions, the musicians on ‘Salt’ is very sophisticated but not too serious. Sometimes Jazz can be too mature for those who like Jazz but want something less heavy going. ‘Lizz Wright – Salt’ is vocally a piece of what some modern day Jazz vocalists can bring.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]