soul Archive
14 Feb 2019
John the Martyr: Up From the Subway
Contrast is a useful and popular device in music. Fast and slow, loud and quiet, simple and complex: creatively combined, the differences can make for some fascinating and memorable music. […]
03 Feb 2019
Shana Tucker’s Chamber Soul
Most musicians bristle at the idea of having their music labeled into a particular genre. But Shana Tucker is no ordinary musician. In fact her music doesn’t lend itself to […]
18 Jan 2019
Lake Street Dive: We Want Them Back
Lake Street Dive has come a long way since the 2012 debut of its YouTube video, a cover of the Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back.” With 9 albums and/or […]
17 Jan 2019
Asheville’s Top 10 for 2018
2018 has brought forth a bumper crop of superb albums in every genre from artists local (or with strong connections) to Asheville and the surrounding region. Any of these 10 […]
12 Jan 2019
Album Review: Bobbie Morrone — Lonely St.
In many ways, the current resurgence in pop-soul is not surprising. A significant segment of today’s listeners is always in search of something new. But at the same time they […]
04 Dec 2018
Hundred-word Reviews, December 2018
This will almost certainly be my last roundup of new releases – capsule review style – for 2018. Lots of great music came out this year; don’t let anyone tell […]
07 Nov 2018
Notable Vinyl Releases, Part Two
Today’s three are all new, indie releases. David Duchovny – Every Third Thought A confession, right up front: when this album landed on my desk, my first thought was, “Uh-oh. […]
18 Oct 2018
Fantastic Negrito: We Can Turn It Around (Part 4 / conclusion)
Continued from Part Three… And even though Fantastic Negrito is now a high-profile Grammy-winning performer and recording artist, he still feels and maintains a close connection to that neighborhood. “The […]
17 Oct 2018
Fantastic Negrito: We Can Turn It Around (Part 3)
Continued from Part Two… The production on The Last Days of Oakland is “boxy,” and Xavier says that that quality is a deliberate aesthetic choice. “I wanted it to feel […]
16 Oct 2018
Fantastic Negrito: We Can Turn It Around (Part 2)
Continued from Part One… A 2014 EP titled Fantastic Negrito debuted Xavier’s new approach. Ostensibly blues, the five-song EP draws from a wider array of influences. Released to enthusiastic critical […]