The Style Council’s Café Bleu and David Sylvian’s Brilliant Trees at 40
With Café Bleu and Brilliant Trees, Paul Weller and David Sylvian looked forward to jazz as a renewed source of inspiration; but was their pop music still pop?
soul pop
Minnie Riperton’s ‘Perfect Angel’ at 50: Imperfectly Angelic
Soul singer Minnie Riperton made full use of her multi-octave voice and songwriting talent on 1974’s Perfect Angel, with her still-beloved hit, “Lovin’ You”.
Orchestral Manoeuvres Help Lake Street Dive Reach Peak
Lake Street Dive’s origin story, which began in 2004, became a rich tale of team players contributing multiple music genres to a live-wire act that keeps soaring.
The Buddy Movie That Is Lake Street Dive
To celebrate two decades of joyful jazz-pop perfection, the members of Lake Street Dive had to find new ways to write and record for new album Good Together.
Lake Street Dive Create Obligatory Fun on ‘Good Together’
While Lake Street Dive trot out their funk and soul instrumentation on Good Together, the record has few genuinely fun or moving moments.
Jordan Rakei Reflects on His Life So Far on ‘The Loop’
The Loop emerges as a worthwhile musical journey in which soul-pop’s Jordan Rakei reveals some universal truths he’s unearthed in his ongoing life story.
Ugandan Jon Muq’s Music Is Warm and Familiar on ‘Flying Away’
Jon Muq’s voice and presence come off as natural and unaffected. One has to listen carefully to appreciate the breadth and the subtlety of his talents.
Lady Wray Ignites Berlin with Joy
With the pipes to scare a grizzly bear, soul music’s Lady Wray ignites Berlin with the full range of her joyful, thunderous mezzo-soprano.
Dancing in the Street: Our 25 Favorite Motown Songs
Detroit’s Motown Records will forever be important as a hit factory and an African American-owned label that achieved massive mainstream success and influence.
Jamila Woods Finds ‘Water Made Us’ While Seeking Love Inside Her
Jamila Woods’ Water Made Us is full of creativity. The songs are not just liquid, solid, and gas; they are blood, wine, and soul.
Jorja Smith Charms with ‘Falling or Flying’
Jorja Smith’s Falling or Flying is quite an accomplishment and an excellent vehicle for her estimable talents. It’s a low-key yet unequivocal triumph.
Fatoumata Diawara Creates African Pop-Soul From the Diaspora
On her strongest album yet, London Ko, Fatoumata Diawara demonstrates how music from today’s African diaspora can be “Everything Everywhere All at Once”.