Diana Ross Explored Black Music’s Rich History on ‘Red Hot Rhythm & Blues’
Thirty-five years ago, Red Hot Rhythm & Blues saw Diana Ross ambitiously and affectionately placing herself within the history of Black music.
soul pop
Emeli Sandé Opens Up to Her Listeners with ‘Let’s Say for Instance’
Emeli Sandé’s soulful R&B is full of love. Once again this beautiful artist warmly embraces her listeners with her coming-out album, Let’s Say for Instance.
30 Years Ago Annie Lennox Created a Pop-Soul Classic with Debut LP ‘Diva’
Thirty years ago, Annie Lennox’s Diva set a new standard for blue-eyed soul because she approached the style with depth, understanding, humility, and respect.
King Garbage’s Beautiful Mess of a Sophomore Album Is a Garage-Soul Classic
From marching band drums to gritty guitar lines to hip-hop beats, the dusty anything-goes soul-pop approach of King Garbage doesn’t have any contemporaries.
Lady Wray’s ‘Piece of Me’ Fondly Recalls 1970s Soul Music
Filled with hardship, heartbreak, and occasional hope, Lady Wray said she wants to write music to help people heal and Piece of Me‘s 12 songs accomplish that.
Paul Weller’s ‘Illumination’ Gets a Vinyl Reissue Nearly 20 Years Later
Paul Weller’s Illumination is a highly enjoyable – if not groundbreaking – effort, filled with good-to-great songs. But Weller doesn’t move the needle here.
Paul Weller’s ‘Days of Speed’ Gets a Long-Awaited Vinyl Reissue
The vinyl reissue of Paul Weller’s Days of Speed is an inspired release, as it shows a vital new phase of his career with a live set that’s a sheer pleasure to rediscover.
Cold War Kids Bring a Satisfying Conclusion to the ‘New Age Norms’ Trilogy
Cold War Kids’ New Age Norms 3 takes some big swings and mostly lands with more of a good thing from an essential act in pop-rock.
Wesley Stace Tries a New Style on the Deeply Satisfying ‘Late Style’
After more than 30 years’ worth of albums, Wesley Stace steps out of his comfort zone, with splendid results on Late Style.
Wesley Stace Gets Smooth on the Soulful “Do Nothing If You Can” (premiere)
Wesley Stace’s “Do Nothing If You Can” is a delightful sneak peek of his uncharacteristically jazzy new album, Late Style, releasing on 17 September.
H3rizon Are Here to Tell You They Are “Serious”
Sydney, Australia’s answer to Little Mix, H3rizon are an all-women group concocting uber-catchy, soulful pop songs that quickly get bodies in motion.