Brotha Wordz Entertainment Presents... Ricardo K

Please take a moment to read the outstanding review regarding the new Chazz Dixon project, Emotional Therapy... Stay tuned as I'm working on setting up and interview with Chazz in the near future!!

SOULTRACKS REVIEW OF CHAZZ DIXON... EMOTIONAL THERAPY... There are advantages to sounding like a legendary singer such as Smokey Robinson. The primary advantage is that means you can sing, and Chazz Dixon can really sing. A disadvantage is that folks may expect you be a wedding singer who specializes in singing “Tears of a Clown” and “Quiet Storm.” Another disadvantage is that such a singer must be able to distinguish himself while also knowing how to embrace the similarities in sound. I felt that Dixon’s previous release, Love Notes, suffered from the latter problem. Dixon is out with a new album, Emotional Therapy, and he seems to largely have solved that riddle. Look, you sound how you sound, so trying to remove the Smokey is likely going to be more trouble than it’s worth. Besides, Dixon is an excellent singer. What distinguishes Emotional Therapy from the previous release is that Dixon manages to embrace the aspects of Robinson’s artistry that all performers should seek to embrace – namely the quality of the songwriting. Ballads on Emotional Therapy such as “I Fan See You” and “Give a Man a Chance” are very strong lyrically. Dixon employs a Caribbean dancehall beat on “I Fan See You” to tell a story of how he is totally smitten by the object of his desire. On the cut “Give a Man a Chance,” Dixon adopts a conversational tone as he explains the physical and emotional qualities that draw him to this particular lady and why she should let down her guard and “Give a Man a Chance.” Dixon also proves to be a pretty good interpreter of up-tempo dance music. Robinson sang his share of fast songs, but his stock in trade was the ballad. Dance numbers such as “Spinning for Love” serve as chances for Dixon to distinguish himself. The track sports a percussive beat that fuses funk with dance music. Thematically, the track tells the story of how love can bring joy and pain. Dixon went to the drawing board and returns with a record that embraces the entirety of his musical identity. Emotional Therapy is classic in its lyricism and its exploration of the topic of love. The record is also forward looking in its use of modern production techniques. In this way, Emotional Therapy pays honor to Robinson and all of the love men who influenced Dixon while not sounding dated and derivative. That kind of creativity stands as Dixon’s main tribute to Robinson. Notable tracks: Damaged, Stop the Rain, Can’t Let You Get Away, Give a Man a Chance Vocals: 3.5 Lyrics: 3.0 Instrumental: 3.0 Production: 3.0 Soultracks call: Recommended... http://www.soultracks.com/chazz-dixon-emotional-therapy-review

Listening to Im Lost by Ricardo

Listening to Im Lost by Ricardo

Celebrating "J" At Nostalgia... Featuring Ricardo & Balance

THE EYES OF LOVE J

Is R&B Music Dead? I Say No!! (Link To Da' Soul Recordings Group LLC.)

Is Soul & R&B Dead?
Written by Ricardo

So who believes R&B and Soul Music is dead? Well I, for one, certainly don't!! The truth and reality (in my humble opinion) is that the powers that be, i.e., Mass Media, Clear Channel Radio, video outlets, etc... and the music buying public (pre-teens, teens and young adults) aren't as interested in that genre of music as they are in Rap Music. Lets face it; the mass media in general and Clear Channel Radio are interested in making big bucks!! I don't blame them. Everybody wants to make money. Pre-teens, teens and young adults are the main consumers of music these days, just as all of us "Baby Boomers" were once upon a time. So what's the deal?

Record companies want to reach the people who are going to buy their products. Thus, they employ those that make the music that the music buying public wants to hear. At this day and age, Rap Music is all the rage... So why Rap?

Well, let's look at the differences between R&B and Soul Acts as compared to Rap Acts... Take a soul act such as Earth Wind & Fire or Cameo.

Both of these acts are self contained bands who actually play instruments, sing, dance and record... not to mention both are awesome live acts. Now take Grand Master Flash & The Furious Five or the Sugar Hill Gang. They didn't have to play instruments. (Although maybe some of them could or can. You tell me ok?) They don't sing; don't dance. They just record their raps to a generated beat, often sampled from the aforementioned soul groups or other soul groups.

A deeper look at the differences... hmm... Lets see... It's expensive to be in a soul music group... to have to buy instruments... take lessons... form a group... write YOUR OWN MUSIC... practice dance steps... attire (got to look good!)... deal with multiple personalities...deal with equipment problems...and splitting your money up between however many members are in the group. For the record company... hmm... pay bigger advances... more contracts to write... higher studio costs due to longer time spent putting a project together... band personnel changes and in general, a bigger hassle than it's worth when the record fails to sell well. Rap artist... lower overhead in general...fewer people to have under contract... can produce a project in a fraction of the time...lower advances paid out... can package a tour with several rap artists to minimize costs involved in touring... don't have to deal with a band or back up singers, and the young people with their ever changing taste. Well they buy it!!

Now listen. I grew up on Rap Music. I dig Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Kool Moe Dee, LL Cool J, Eric B & Rakim, UTFO, The Fat Boys, Biz Markie and so many more. The newer rappers on the block such as Nelly, Jay Z, Nas, Fabolous, Common, etc., I don't like all of it, but I feel ya. I'm not totally knocking the rap thing. It's just that there is so much more than rap!! Give me some Temptations, New Edition, Brass Construction, Tower Of Power, Average White Band, O'Jays, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Al Hudson & One Way, "J", The Deele, Morris Day, The Time, Prince, Jesse Johnson, Hall & Oates, Aretha Franklin, Sade, Patti Labelle, Angie Stone, Jill Price, Regina Belle, Karen White, Stephanie Mills, S.O.S. Band, Four Tops, Blue Magic, The Spinners, Otis Redding, Teena Marie, Smokey Robinson, Zapp, Roger Troutman (RIP), Rick James (RIP), James Brown (RIP), The Jackson Five, Michael Jackson (RIP), Boys II Men, Hi-Five, Ralph Tresvant, Tony Thompson (RIP), Bobby Brown, Johnny Gill, Babyface, Terrence Trent Darby, Chazz Dixon, Anita Easterling, Lyfe Jennings, Mario, Sammie, Ricardo, Alicia Keys, Sonny Garr, Monica, Renee, Leona Lewis, Luther (RIP), even Usher, Neyo, that young brother Chris Brown and so many more artists, both young and old, holding it down for Soul Music and R&B!

If you love Soul and R&B Music, please check out the link below. Listen and hear what Milwaukee's own Da' Soul Recordings Group LLC. is producing right here in Milwaukee. So again I say... Who says R&B and Soul Music is dead? If it's you, I suggest you think again and check out what's going on right in your back yard!! Also check out Soul Express. It's a UK site (where Soul Music and R&B have never died) that features music that those of us 35 and older grew up listening to. For instance, did you know that O'Bryan had a recent CD out? Did you know that Chris Jasper of the Isley brothers and Skip Martin of The Dazz Band are still making music as is Ray Parker Jr. and the Whispers? Ha, ha... R&B and Soul Music dead... not hardly! See ya next time and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this topic. Peace.

Chazz Dixon - All I Need (Someone To Talk 2)