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Rashod D. Ollison

Music Notes

R&B artists' new CDs have mixed results

August 21, 2008

On the playlist this week, I check out recent, under-the-radar releases in R&B. Two of the artists are new to the scene. One has taken the indie route for his third album; and the other, an overlooked giant in '70s soul, returns with his first major-label release in more than 20 years.

Recent columns

Velvet-voiced Anita Baker could try jazzing it up

August 14, 2008

Anita Baker has never really been a jazz singer. But she could be; she certainly has the chops. Over the years, the Ohio-born, Detroit-raised singer-songwriter has performed at jazz festivals around the world. On her six studio albums, all of which have at least sold gold, Baker has flirted with jazz. But in her 25 years as a recording artist, she has yet to take the plunge into the genre. What a shame.
Dave Grohl and company: plugged and unplugged

August 7, 2008

There's clearly a struggle going on as Dave Grohl attempts to meld the best of two musical worlds. On his past two albums with the Foo Fighters (2005's In Your Honor and last year's Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace), the singer/songwriter/guitarist/powerhouse drummer showcased more of his melodic pop leanings alongside the thrashing, riotous "rawk" that cemented his fame more than a decade ago.
R&B singer Anthony David is sincere and down-to-earth

July 17, 2008

All he had was an acoustic guitar - no band, no dancers, no props. And he was casually dressed in a baseball cap and loose-fitting jeans. This was not a folk concert by the way. But Anthony David, an R&B upstart from Georgia, still managed to move the stylish crowd at Washington's Lincoln Theater on that chilly night last November. His voice - rough-hewn yet buttery in some parts, slightly reminiscent of Terry Callier - was full and engaging as he crooned self-penned, down-to-earth ballads of lust and heartbreak. He was funny, too, slipping in witty asides about crazy things men and women do while playing the grown-up game of love.
Thoughtful Hil St. Soul deserves attention

March 4, 2004

Around 1996, the phrase "neo-soul" got folks all excited.