Amanda Ply - Runaway

Amanda Ply – Runaway
2012, Amanda Ply

For Amanda Ply it all started with Beethoven and “Fur Elise”.  Her discovery of a snow globe in a gift shop at the age of six turned the world upside down for Ply, who went home and began to teach herself to pick out songs by ear on an old piano.  Ply quickly graduated to classical piano training, which she took for ten years.  She spent the next decade developing her craft as a performer and songwriter.  Now, at the tender age of 25 years, Ply is an honest and engaging songwriter who has found her own singular voice.  Ply is currently touring in support of her EP, Runaway.

Runaway opens with "A Lovin' That Heals", a gentle pop ballad with mild country undertones. The classic feel to this tune makes it easy to listen to, and Ply's exceedingly pleasant voice is a breath of fresh air. "I Secretly" is a solid pop ballad with a memorable chorus. If there’s one complaint it’s that Ply spends a bit too much energy on vocal stylistics in this number. "Let's Just Fall In Love" is a bubblegum ballad that's easy on the ears but doesn't make a deep impression.

Ply brings out her soulful side on "Like That", calling out a feckless lover and threatening him with the big kiss off if he doesn't toe the line. This is the most entertaining and vital track on the album, and has major potential as a name maker for Amanda Ply. Continuing her chameleon-like shifts, Ply launches into the R&B groove of "Messy Little Piece Of Beautiful", a vibrant pop number with serious commercial legs. Ply sounds totally together here, knocking out a lyrical stream that would make Jason Mraz proud in a soulful voice you won't soon forget.

Amanda Ply takes listeners for a ride on Runaway, changing genres and styles as regularly as Celine Dion changes outfits.  The fact that she pulls it off without any major breakdowns is even more impressive.  Ply has the ability to appeal to a very wide range of fans based on her current approach to crafting songs; and her easy vocal style and elastic voice are more than worth tuning in for.  This might just be one of the most intriguing musical introductions you’ll have in 2012.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.amandaply.com. 

Cee & Bekah - The Soul Movement Originals

Cee & Bekah - The Soul Movement Originals

2010, The Movement Fam Records

Cee & Bekah are 2/3 of The Movement Fam, an urban collective from Australia who dropped everything, sold everything they owned, and made their way to Toronto to find a market more open to their off-the-beaten path blend of hip-hop and soul.  Cee provides the rhymes while Bekah sets forth with a powerhouse R&B voice that has been compared favorably to that of Alicia Keys.  Cee & Bekah's The Soul Movement Originals is a master class in how two tried and true genres can be blended in a fashion that avoids commercial cliché while managing to sound very commercially accessible in the process.  Cee's brother, and fellow Movement Fam member Notion, produces.

Cee distinguishes himself with a hard edge rhyming style steeped in sharp intellect and insight, playing the fire to Bekah's soothing rain.  The two combine admirably on songs such as the incredibly catchy "The Charts" and the almost lyric ballad "Do It All Again".  "Somebody" is a standout track, with both at the top of their respective games, but with Cee standing out in particular for a talent at stringing words together in a fashion that is a sort of magical, poetic prose.  Notion sits in on "Ain't No Mountain", "Scream At Ya Muthf" (also featuring Tommy Gunnz), "Take This Feelin'" and "Never Going Away" (also featuring The Understudies).  Other guests include Jessica Kaya on "Tomorrow (I'll Be Gone)", KrisblaiR on "Perfected Rawness", GNZ on "Free" and Cesar Comanche on "Beautiful Struggle".

Cee & Bekah make the most of their talents on The Soul Originals, effectively blending two genres that are often combined but not often this well.  The album has its slow movements, but across 20 tracks, Cee & Bekah get it right more often than not.  Cee & Bekah are building their cred in Toronto, but don't expect their sphere of influence to stay local for long.  The duo plan several releases both on their own and with The Movement Fam over the next couple of years.  Bekah has already appeared on an album by K-Dee, and it's only a matter of time before Cee & Bekah (or The Movement Fam as a whole), breaks big.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Cee & Bekah at www.myspace.com/ceeandbekah or www.themovementfam.com.  The Soul Movement Originals is available digitally from Bandcamp and iTunes.

Joe Marson - Joe Marson

Joe Marson - Joe Marson
2010, Joe Marson

San Diego-based singer/songwriter Joe Marson has made both the geographic and musical rounds to broaden his horizons and perfect his craft. Oregon, Boston, New York and Arizona are on his past itinerary, as are hip-hop, jazz, folk, bluegrass and gospel. Back home, Marson has settled fully into an Americana sound that draws strength from all the influences Marson has immersed himself in. Marson recently released his debut album, Joe Marson.

Marson opens with "Postcards From Siren City"; an interesting exploration of running away from home. The song is well-written and enjoyable. Marson is a bit off the beaten track here, and the diversion is welcome. "Mindf#ckedd" is a bluesy rock number that finds Marson singing with the attitude and sound of a young Billy Joel. It's an entertaining but dark tune you're likely to hit replay on several times over. "What I'm Sayin'" is a highly entertaining blues-based tune in pure singer/songwriter pastiche. Marson scores points with his cover of Cat Stevens' "Trouble"; a pensive performance that will appeal to fans of Stevens while putting his own stamp on it. "White Boy Blues" sounds like it may have been recovered live in-studio in one take. It's just Marson and his guitar and works very well, showing off Marson's voice in excellent light. Marson closes with a cover of Alicia Keys' "No One", a mildly soul rendition done with a reggae beat. It's a solid tune, and Marson does it justice.

Joe Marson has talent. His is a voice people will pay to listen to and he's more than just competent with a guitar in his hand. Marson shows flashes of real songwriting ability on his self-titled debut. There are rough spots along the way, but more often than not Marson comes out ahead. The occasional vocal similarities to Billy Joel and the Hendrix-style riffs that Marson sprinkles throughout his songs may make it easier for Marson to transition to an older demographic of fans as well. As a whole, Joe Marson is a solid effort.

Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Joe Marson at http://www.joemarson.com/ or www.myspace.com/fakinggeniusmusic.  Joe Marson is available digitally from Amazon.com and iTunes.

Sunday Singles: Susan Hickman & Alicia Keys

Ah, Sunday again. Time for our Sunday Singles! Here we go…

Susan Hickman - Whipping Post
2009, Susan Hickman

Hickman's latest single, Whipping Post mixes Blues, Rock and Country in a dark and energetic mix full of sex appeal and grit. Hickman can belt with the best of them, and goes from lyric to Mama Morton and back on what might be one of the most exciting Country singles of 2009. Joss Stone and Amy Winehouse have absolutely nothing on Hickman. Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5) http://www.susanhickman.com/.


Alicia Keys - Dreaming
2009, Alicia Keys

Keys goes for a lush, near-ethereal sound on her latest single, Dreaming. Keys is a consummate performer, and vocally she's very much at the top of her game here, but there's something about the track that seems a bit out of kilter. Keys is very much in her upper register throughout the tune, and some of the warmth that perhaps should accompany this track just never materializes. I think the performance is as good as can be expected, but the song itself perhaps isn't up to her usual standard. Rating: 3 Stars (Out of 5) http://www.aliciakeys.com/.

Review: Israel Houghton - The Power Of One

Israel Houghton – The Power Of One
2009, Integrity Music

You’ve probably heard of Israel Houghton before. Houghton is a 2-time Grammy Award winning musician and worship leader for Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas. Houghton is sometimes credited as Israel & The New Breed, and accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in a performance of George Michael’s Freedom ’90. Houghton has also performed with the likes of Aretha Franklin and BeBe Winans, as well as recording with Michael W. Smith. Houghton has also been a three-time worship leader at Hillsong, as well as leading for both Promise Keepers and Champions For Christ events. Houghton recently released his latest CD, The Power Of One, on Integrity Music. Let’s check it out.

There’s no questioning that Houghton’s music is all about worship, but there is a distinctive pop sensibility in his songs that tends to be missing from much of what is classified as Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Everywhere That I Go opens the CD, sounding like a Philip Bailey track from the 1980’s. The song is highly listenable and features some great pop hooks. Just Wanna Say is a true Rock/Gospel experience with great harmonies and R&B influences. The Power Of One (Change The World) comes off sounding like Club Nouveau’s recording of Lean On Me. That’s not to say it copies the song in any way, but it has a similar sound and vibe. Saved By Grace does sound a bit like Prince’s 1999, appropriating a keyboard progression from the song that was probably unintentional. Sing (Redemption’s Song) features Martin Smith and could easily be a Pop hit on commercial radio. I enjoyed the funk flavor of Better To Believe with special guest Tommy Sims, but You Found Me may be the most striking song on the disc. Featuring guest tobyMac, the song has some of the most devastating electric violin work you’re likely to come across this year. Other highlights include U R Loved, I Receive and Every Prayer (with Mary Mary).

Israel Houghton is the sort of artist who could make it in any genre at any time, but chooses to put his passion to work in the Gospel realm. His talent for crafting a unique blend of Gospel with styles such as Rock, Pop, Reggae and Blues is uncanny. I hope Houghton has room on his shelf for more hardware, because if this album doesn’t win him his third Grammy I’ll be shocked. If you’re a fan of Christian music don’t hesitate a moment, go get The Power Of One. If you’re not a fan, consider it anyway; you’ll appreciate the stylistic blends and audacity that Israel Houghton has to offer.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Israel Houghton at www.myspace.com/israelhoughton or http://www.israelhoughton.net/, where you can purchase a copy of The Power Of One, or you can download the CD through iTunes.

Review: Joy Ike - Good Morning

Joy Ike – Good Morning
2008, Joy Ike

Pittsbugh, Pennsylvania’s Joy Ike is a musical late bloomer. The 25-year-old singer/songwriter just started writing and performing 3 ½ years ago, but is already considered the gem of the Pittsburgh music scene by both insiders and outsiders. The Nigerian born former publicist has acquired a reputation for lyrical depth and social conscience while delivering strong pop arrangements reminiscent of folks like Corinne Bailey Rae, Norah Jones and Fiona Apple. Ike’s second album, Good Morning, was released in 2008 to rave reviews in and around the Pittsburgh area, as well as some on the national scene.

Good Morning opens with a brief vocal intro, a Capella, that displays just what a gorgeous and warm voice Ike possesses. Ike steps out of a reverb chamber into real time like an angel stepping from your dreams into the now. You spend the next twelve songs hoping she won’t leave. Strongman is a piano-driven pop song with hints of soul, like an interesting hybrid of Tori Amos and Alicia Keys. Warriors Get Your Gear On is a wonderful, lyrically dense pop song projecting a somewhat serious perspective on a light and airy pop arrangement. Remember is a gem of a song, sounding like a soliloquy from a Broadway Pop musical. It’s a song about saving the world, or having the courage to try.

Jacob & Esau is a peppy, funk-tinged piano pop tune that sounds like Tori Amos stylistically and is wonderfully vibrant. Unconditional is a song of longing and devotion; certain mix-tape material in a piano-pop format. You’ll want to make time for the melancholy flavor of City Lights and the regretful beauty of Oh I Fight. Other highlights include the hauntingly beautiful and powerful Love Is; Hey, Where Are The Kids; the gospel-tinged The Least Of These and Hope. Hope is very similar in ideals to Rent’s Seasons Of Love, though different in style.

Joy Ike is the real deal; a singer/songwriter with something to say and ample to talent to deliver it. A warm and inviting voice wrapped up in strong and generous piano-driven pop/rock arrangements is the general recipe for Ike, who may be the best thing to come out Western Pennsylvania in a decade or more. Good Morning is an exciting introduction. Nice to meet you, Joy Ike, we hope to hear much more from you.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Joy Ike at www.myspace.com/joyike or http://www.joyike.com/. You can purchase a copy of Good Morning at www.cdbaby.com/cd/joyike2.