Nikhil Korula - Solo Sessions

Nikhil Korula – Solo Sessions
2013, Nikhil Korula

Nikhil Korula is a classically trained vocalist and songwriter who spent several years immersed in the west coast jazz scene.  This exposure helped Korula to network with the current members of his Nikhil Korula band.  With several Triple-A singles and relentless touring, the Nikhil Korula band have built an international following.  Gigs with artists such as John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Dave Matthews Band, O.A.R., Tim Reynolds, Les Claypool (Primus) and Colin Hay (Men At Work) have served to build the band’s fan base as well as influencing the band’s sound.  Now Korula steps out on his own with The Solo Sessions, a five song EP that shows off his dulcet voice and his unusually smooth songwriting style.

Korula opens with “Spark”, a poppy and positive number with influences from Dave Matthews and Earth, Wind and Fire.  Korula gets in the listener’s head here with a rhythmic arrangement that you’ll be singing for days, as well as an upbeat message that leaves the listener with a positive feel.  “He Said, She Said” sounds like it could be a Dave Matthews Band outtake.  The mellow feel is thematic, right down to the occasional sax trills, and Korula even seems to channel Matthews vocally here.  It’s a well-written tune that might be a bit too sound-alike for some, but it’s very much worth a listen.  Korula ends up sounding a bit like Darius Rucker on “Broken Roads” with a sound that falls somewhere between his early work with Hootie and the Blowfish and his country material.  “Broken Roads” is a contemplatively melancholy tune, and Korula brings out the best in his voice.  “Silent Tears” keeps the same aesthetic in another moment melancholy piquant.  Strings in the arrangement offer lovely shading, and the chorus has a sing-song quality that you will carry with you.  Korula says goodnight with “Fade Away”, a mid-tempo rocker with a message about not giving up.  This is a nice choice for a closing tune after the melancholy of the two proceeding songs, and leaves listeners with an optimistic feel that will bring them back.

Nikhil Korula is undoubtedly a talented vocalist with a supple voice that allows him to take on several sounds across an album or EP.  This can be both beneficial and detrimental with music fans, but even if you find the sound derivative you have to acknowledge he’s good at what he does.  The material on Solo Sessions is first class, and Korula fills up each song with an ultimately capable voice and a boat load of charisma.  This is an EP you will find yourself returning to again and again.  And Nikhil Korula is one lucky break from being a household name for many years to come.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.NKband.com.

Review: Living Proof - Feel Good Music

Living Proof - Feel Good Music
2009, Living Proof Music

Lving Proof is one of the most popular bands in Indianapolis, Indiana, having perfected their craft over the past eight years. Whether it's R&B, Soul, Funk, Hip-Hop or Pop, Living Proof serves up a little bit of what you're after. Having played with bands such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Chicago, The Time & Morris Day, Living Proof have the stamina to offer three and four hour sets full of good time music you can dance to. Initially one of the top cover bands in Indy, Living Proof has added original compositions to their catalogue over the last several years. The band's sophomore CD, Feel Good Music, has generated so much buzz that Living Proof actually peaked on the CMJ Hip-Hop charts at #22 (alongside artists such as Jay-Z, Big Pun, K-Os, Swollen Members and Del The Funky Homosapien). Living Proof continues to grow in popularity, and co-lead vocalists Jessica and Leonard Patterson are a big reason why. Of course, when you have a backing band of Larry Beiswenger (trumpet/percussion); Jeff Libby (keys/vox); Marc Latney (bass/vox); Gary McCreary (drums) and Teddy Patterson (sax/vox), the singer's job is easy.

Feel Good Music opens with the title track, a funky mix of Rock, Soul, R&B and Jazz. Feel Good Music is a party all its own, with both Jessica and Leonard Patterson chipping in on vocals. Sway is a light Hip-Hop tune that is well written and well played. Jessica Patterson has a voice that could succeed in most any era or style, while Leonard Patterson has a strong sound but is perhaps not quite as versatile. 2 West is built on a killer bass riff, with jazz guitar and horns filling out the sound. This highly entertaining instrumental highlights the instrumental talent of the band, particularly keymaster Jeff Libby, who is nothing short of brilliant here.

Right Place (Right Time) is a frenetically paced tune fill with social conscience. The song highlights Living Proof's mission, of sorts, of making the world a better place. The song is highly repetitive and with little substance. The rest of the album is decent enough, but not up to the energy or standards of the first half of the disc. Dance With Me is a highlight simple on the basis of Jessica Patterson’s voice. The song is a bit on the bland side, but Patterson will make you forget.

Living Proof have the reputation of a big time concert band in their home market. That may be, but on the whole the material on Feel Good Music just doesn’t add up to the reputation. Feel Good Music is a solid effort, but just doesn’t live up to the hype that surrounds Living Proof.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Living Proof at www.livingproofmusic.com or www.myspace.com/livingproofband. You can download Feel Good Music from Amazon.com. As an aside, from a business perspective, indie bands could learn a lot from Living Proof and how they structure their press kit materials. It's the most professional and easy-to-peruse I've seen.