Now a contributor for Just Soul, Jeff Sheppard is an Australian artist with a soulful pare of lungs. His musical influences range from Maxwell, John Legend to Radio Head. The record has a rock/pop fusion, but his vocal’s adds the soul. Songs such as ‘Like I Miss You’ are personal favourites; Jeff proves that he doesn’t just do soul music, because like any artist trying to make it he combines other musical genres. The root his ‘Take It with You’ is soul, but like I said he isn’t afraid to experiment. ‘What’s Passed’, is another great soulful ballad, is has a nice rhythm to it, along with pleasant singing and piano playing. With his voice being incredibly soulful, I feel that he could make his tracks more soul based. Musically, he gets into rock and pop, which ultimately looses his soul fans, because it doesn’t compliment his vocal style. At some stage, I’m sure Jeff will make a record that is straight soul; it is always refreshing to hear a singer taking other musical elements into their project. ‘Be Free’ has quite a tacky sounding chorus in it, and that is my least favourite track from his release.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

Ronee Martin is a very talented female soul singer, who has a variation in pitches and tones. She is real, raw and moving, lyrically and vocally, I’m really impressed with her official debut release. Having already recorded an unreleased album with Motown Records called ‘Soul of My Heart’, which has some good songs on it like ‘As Long As I’m Loving You’, ‘Good to Be Loved’ and especially ‘Its Spring Again’. But this release shows her incredible voice at its best. There are many beautifully produced songs on this not so well known debut. It has a classic soul feel to it, which makes it a timeless modern day Soul record. The band are tight, and you can tell that they play there instruments with a passion. From Soul, to acoustic, to funk, these genres are a few surprises that you can expect to hear from her. The first appearance of the debut is the amazing, it’s a slowed down groove entitled ‘Get Real’, oozing with Soul and class. ‘Giving Up’ is a personal song, with soothing, sassy, and sultry vocals; it’s a beautifully created song that (in my opinion) deserves a Grammy, or two! The power that is coming out from this woman’s voice makes the album have a certain emotional quality to it that a lot of current studio made music fails to have. Her music appeals to all ages, due to its sophisticated and mature feel. I think that for a lot of people who are into discovering new and not so popular soul voices, this lady will surely hit the right spot. She has potential of being a house hold name but at the same time staying rare and special.

Matthew Daniel [Just Soul]

This is an exciting CD, which has the flexibility to appeal to all age groups and genres. If you enjoy pop, Latin, jazz, soul, flamenco guitar – check it out. With sounds of Stevie Wonder, Jose Feliciano and Gipsy Kings, but still remaining distinctly Raul. New Mexico born, New York based and blind since birth, this debut 13 track collection of originals from Raul Midon is a must hear CD. Raul has a wonderful acoustic guitar style, combining classical, jazz and rhythmic flamenco influences. ‘Waited All My Life’ was written for his wife, naturally simple, yet poignant. The album is uplifting in a positive, non-preaching way. Tracks like ‘Picture’ encapsulating this, quite simply saying ‘please listen while I say…’ and ‘Everybody’ with it’s inspiring lyrics, written as an empowerment response to the heroes of 9/11. Gently infused with reggae influences in tracks like ‘Keep On Hoping’, a vocal duet with Jason Mraz. A perfect blending together of their two voices, teasing the lyrics into smooth submission. This track reminding me of those songs of yesterday by Ken Booth (reggae influences) - yet still retaining a fresh feel. The track ‘All In Your Mind’ – opening a window on what it’s like to be blind. Stevie Wonder is guest harmonica performer on the track ‘Expressions Of Love’. I have been waiting to hear a passionate, soulful, Latin sounding artist and I have found it with Raul. Each song is worth listening to; difficult to say which are the best on the CD, as they are all so good.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

This self written debut CD seems to have sprung from nowhere, produced by Ethan Johns (Kings Of Leon). I really feel it will appeal to an array of generations. Ray Lamontagne was born in New Hampshire and has been on the move ever since. A self-proclaimed oddball – he has the potential to become a great songwriter. Likened to Otis Redding and Bob Dylan with raspy vocals like Rod Stewart, but with a sound, which is quite unique, as if you have been familiar with it for years. A soul sound intermingled with Jazz, folk & Blues. Tackling life and love with honesty, the CD makes you listen, drawing you in on an emotional, moving journey, reaching deep within. You will empathize with the opening track ‘Trouble’. There is the up-tempo ‘Forever My Friend’ with percussion and rhythms. ‘Hannah’ has a folk feel to it and ‘How Come’ is funkier/rockier, examining life of today. Tackling love in ‘Jolene’ saying he still doesn’t know what love means and the poignant line in ‘Hannah’ – ‘I’d walk 1 mile just on broken glass, to fall down at your feet’. This CD has the ability to question, to soothe, but most of all it has the ability to stop you in your tracks and say, listen and you do and keep listening from start to finish, again and again.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]

This is Ola’s fifth CD, self-written, and produced and sung with passion, grace and style, giving a warm, funky soul sound. The lyrics are diverse and engaging, complimented by a good band with the likes of Pete Adams on Wurlitzer & piano and Don Chandler on Bass. The CD highlights the effortless ease in which this artist writes such beautiful songs, time and again, mastering his sound by doing over 100 gigs a year. You get a voice like this through sheer hard work and mastery of your craft and each note is hit with precision. Those of you who do not know his music must check it out. If you like Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Michael McDonald, Stevie Wonder, you will love Ola Onabule. Ola has taken their sounds on board and sent them into the next millennium. An artist who is at his best on stage - this CD tackles the on road temptations in songs like ‘Thanks’ and stimulates your inner soul with lyrics displayed in the tracks ‘You Can’ and ‘Alive Tonight’. From the first track to the very last, the unmistakable singing voice of Ola stands out. I believe three tracks on the CD jump out in a powerful way – ‘Soul Town’, ‘Heart Of Lead’ and ‘Forgiven’. ‘Soul Town’ is a stand tall, funky tune, the essence of which will appeal to those parents of the 60’s, yet young in sound and feel to appeal to their children. ‘Heart Of Lead’ is a gutsy, unrequited love ballad, which, in time, could be heard over the airwaves forever and be given the same respect as classics like Al Green’s ‘Tired Of Being Alone’ & Dionne Warwick’s ‘Heartbreaker’. ‘Forgiven’ being equally as good. Each song is sung with soul and passion. They make you sit down and play them over and over again, appreciating the subtle African sounds and rhythms running alongside the lyrics.

Tracey Cope [Just Soul]