Archive » Reviews
This page contains 27 entries posted under the "Reviews" category.
Revisiting Michael Jackson's Golden Years
I don't know of too many adult vocalists (male or female) who sound better than Michael Jackson did when he was still in his formative stages. Young Michael's range and phrasing surprise me to this day--just take this early...
PPP Presents An 'Abundance' Of Good Music
We're still in the throes of winter, but it's a little less cold in the D now that PPP have finally returned with their second album, Abundance. The title could not be more fitting. Principal members Waajeed and Saadiq have...
With 'The Point Of It All' Anthony Hamilton's Soul Is On Fire
It is the belief of many that Anthony Hamilton can do no wrong vocally. His voice takes us back to a time when music was a little bit more real...more raw...more right. We feel him on a level that...
'Universal Mind Control' Delivers What It Promised
There has been much mental and verbal wrangling regarding Common's latest musical offering, Universal Mind Control. Those of us who have ridden down this lengthy career path with him since the early '90s are used to Common straight with no...
Why I Cannot Properly Review Black Milk's 'Tronic'
Tronic is so bloody fantastic it's frustrating. When you've spent most of the last couple of years trying to convince people how dope Black Milk is and they respond with this hard-headed refusal to give dude a chance, it makes you...
Q-Tip Doesn't Usher In A 'Renaissance,' But It's Still Worthwhile
Q-Tip's The Renaissiance, if you're a reader of this website, is likely something you already own or something that you're looking to acquire. Consisting of tracks that can imbue a lounge-type atmosphere, this album seeks to slow things down long...
The Foreign Exchange's New Album Is Something That Will Never Be Left 'Behind'
It has been four years since The Foreign Exchange's Phonte and Nicolay offered us their vision of what "soul hop" could be with Connected. While not as many may have been clamoring for their return as say Maxwell, Lauryn or...
Eric Benét Celebrates 'Love & Life'
On his new album, Love & Life, Eric Benét explores the labyrinth of love, lust and life on a diverse collection that features no low moments but only highs. It's ironic that this album is entitled Love & Life because...
Estelle Shines Bright
Ever since Estelle signed to John Legend's Homeschool Records, she's been constantly compared to the likes of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu. The comparisons basically stop at being a talented soulful songstress. On her U.S. debut, Shine, Estelle proves that...
The Roots Step Up With 'Rising Down'
I can't front. I haven't been interested in an album from The Roots since 1999's Things Fall Apart. It had cameos from some unlikely artists such as Eve, but old standbys Common and Mos Def came to represent, so it...
Black Spade Serves Hip Hop With Love
Black Spade's debut album To Serve With Love, released yesterday, has been racking up accolades since his four-track Loves Right Here EP dropped last November. He was featured on Soul Bounce last week as a First Spin, and despite the...
A 'New AmErykah' Is Finally Here
Du Day is finally here. Now that the longing and patience has finally paid off with your iPod vibrating with the excitement that only good, new music can bring, comes time to reflect. Not about whether the album is...
Nicolay & Kay 'Time:Line'
It's no secret that Dutch producer Nicolay is a favorite here at SoulBounce. More than a beatmaker, this is a guy that understands composition, mood, and melody. While there's a number of tracks in his discog that knock with the...
Jill Scott Thrills In 'Live In Paris+'
"There is a difference between entertainers and artists."Jill Scott, Live In Paris+Jill Scott's "The Real Thing" tour kicked off Tuesday night in Seattle, and it is currently making its way across the country well into '08. In the unfortunate...
Salt-N-Pepa's Hair, Er, Here (Again)!
If you're a Salt-N-Pepa fan like I am, you had to wonder what in the "spinderella" VH1 did to The Salt-N-Pepa Show, which went on an abrupt "hiatus" this past December after only seven episodes. (Meanwhile, we've seen Scott...
We All Want the Same Thing: Kevin Michael with Less Sex and More Soul
Whether it's threatening suicide, boasting about cosmetics, or converting your favorite childhood superhero into an asinine dance-craze, it's apparent that the newest generation of young, fresh-faced pop stars are desperate to extend their stay on the radar for as long...
Maturity is Mary J's Cross to Bear
Mary J. Blige is one of a dying breed: R&B singers that make R&B songs. Not Hip-Hop or Pop songs masquerading as R&B or "Neo-Soul" music, but the kind of R&B that successfully unites all of the above as...
So What Was Von Pea Thinking with 'American Angster'?
We haven't talked anything Hova-related here in a while, mainly because I placed an embargo on all American Gangster coverage in order to re-focus on our soul vocalists. But when we received Von Pea's American Angster remix album in our...
Re-calling the Awesomeness That Was Mark Ronson's 'Version'
[DISCLAIMER: I'm pretty awful at reviews.] When Mark Ronson's Version dropped earlier this year, not only was I not running this site, but I'd just jumped on the Back to Black bandwagon (in which he played a large part), so...
Respecting The Legacy of 'The Stax Records Story'
I sat down to watch Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story with a plate of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens and cornbread sitting in front of me. With one had on the remote and the other on a...
Marsha Ambrosius Declares That 'Neo Soul Is Dead'
Marsha Ambrosius, best known as the Songstress from the group Floetry, signed to Dr. Dre's Aftermath label last year and is currently working on her debut solo album set to drop in '08. When I first heard of her association...
Yesterday's Universe
If you're in the know (and as a SoulBounce reader, I know you are), then you know of Madlib as one the most innovative DJ's around today. And if you're really up on it, then you know that he has...
Review: Jill Scott - The Real Thing: Words And Sounds Vol. 3
Jill Scott's highly-anticipated 2007 effort, The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Volume 3 continues where Beautifully Human...Vol. 2 left off. Jilly from Philly introduces the opus with "Let It Be", a track that invites the listener to not dwell...
Here on Earth with Blu and Exile
While most of us were consumed by the Kanye West/50 Cent "Megalomania Campaign 2007", there was a respectable segment of us that copped Blu & Exile's Below the Heavens. I'll have to admit I'm a little late to the party...
SoulBounce Elsewhere
Archives by Month
- July 2009 (21)
- June 2009 (151)
- May 2009 (34)
- April 2009 (52)
- March 2009 (166)
- ALL ARCHIVES