ASHANTI MUNIR: Soul of a Woman (2010 Grooveallegiance USA)
Wednesday, 29 September 2010 18:30 Bill Buckley
Ashanti Munir hails from Brockton, Massachusetts and she debuted in 2008 with an album called 'Balance'. The set was one of that year's best indie soul outings, neatly avoiding the pitfalls that bedevil many similar projects. The good news is that this – her sophomore set – is even better. 'Soul of a Woman' is a great little collection and if it was by a big star and on major label it would be getting exposure all over the place ... as it is, it will probably need the savvy, good old soul underground to get it off the ground. It may take time, but it will takeoff 'cos it has so much going for it.
First up is the quality of the songs. The ten original compositions (we'll come to the two covers later) have a consistent quality that you don't often get on indie soul sets. The opening cut 'Easy Way About U' is a stormer. It's an almost perfect modern soul confection (with the emphasis on soul rather than feigned pastiche) and by the start of the gritty sax break everyone's feet should be well tapping – which brings us to the second factor contributing to the album's quality – the production. Though Ms Munir takes "exec" control she works chiefly with Craig A Eleazer and he has a great ear for what should be going on when and where – witness the beautiful layered harmonies on 'Sometimes Love' or the old soul feel of 'Blue'. The third and chief reason why this LP is so good is the obvious one – Ashanti Munir has a great, true soul voice. It has a world-weariness you don't usually get from an artist at so early a stage in a career. Hear it to good effect, on the gospel tinged ballad 'Until U' or the searing slowie 'It Should Be U' (that one a duet with Neil L’enTendre). Ms Munir and Eleazer are so confident about that voice that they've take on two monumental covers. The first is a great groove heavy version of the Mary J Blige penned 'Ooh' and the second is a tremendous version of Smokey's 'Ooh Baby Baby'. There, the duo didn't take on the original; rather they strip it down and keep it simple. The harmonies are understated, the piano a delight and the gentle, jazzy guitar fills superb. It illustrates what I meant about the production values. With tight budgets, simplicity can bring results. Other goodies on the set include the LP's title song – a crisp, little two stepper and the Wadz produced retro 'So Smooth' - that, of course, was a focal point on his own recent set. Yes, 'Soul of a Woman' is a proper soul album and I urge you to at least investigate... which you can at www.myspace.com/ashantimunir
Reply
Let's keep it real: there are some people who, if given the opportunity, would turn back the clock and relive the days of their youth, but for most of us, there's just something special about being "grown." In the mercurial entertainment industry, the Powers That Be perpetuate the ideas and the looks of being young for their artists as long as possible, but the ability to navigate through life with clarity, confidence and wisdom can only occur with experience, so that's what newcomers and fans will hear when they get an earful of Ashanti Munir's latest CD, Soul of a Woman.
A sultry and well-seasoned follow-up of her 2008 release, Balance, Soul.... contains, along with the first-rate production (Craig A. Eleazer and Felix Mwangi), the hallmarks of artistic self-assuredness and skill. In addition to co-writing seven of the twelve tracks and authoring one exclusively, the Boston, MA native also supplies both lead and background vocals, dabbling in flavors of jazz ("Easy Way About U,"), funk-fringed R&B ("So Smooth"), old-school and pop. Her vocals range from sweet to outright sinewy, recalling Atlantic Starr's Sharon Bryant on the self-empowered mantra, "Don't Be Afraid" and the revelatory ballad, "Until U," where she all but gushes about the man who added color to a drab existence by walking into her life and personifying her nighttime dreams and daytime fantasies.
Ms. Munir is versatile enough to bring different moods to the mix: there's the Quiet-Storm-ready "It Should Be U," the throaty, yet sinuous "Blue" and the anthem-esque title track, where she declares to a potential suitor that he needs to reach higher and dig deeper in order to earn the totality of her womanhood: "You say you want to be in my heart, you need to set yourself, apart./Although you claim to be the one...to reach my soul you must be strong and true/know what to say and what to do." The pair of remakes, a cover of Smokey Robinson's "Ooh Baby Baby" and Mary J. Blige's "Ooh!," are serviceable, but the musical arrangements mirror the original versions too dutifully for Ms. Munir to put her stamp on them creatively.
Aside from a few clunky or clichéd selections ("Sometimes Love" and "Miracles" mean well, but are too self-conscious to make an impact), those who appreciate luxurious and lived-in music will enjoy the contents of this lady's Soul. Ashanti Munir embraces her musical gifts, spins them into appealing lessons about love and life and then passes them on to the world at large, just as any other righteous grown sister would. Recommended.
By Melody Charles
August 15, 2010
http://www.soultracks.com/ashanti-munir-soul-of-a-woman-review
Reply
1 (7) United We Cure/Various - The Cure/Silver Lining/Everything I Need/Fly Higher
2 (5) Erykah Badu - Window Seat/Turn Me Away (Get Munny)/Gone Baby DontBeLong//FallInloveYourFuneral/...
3 (1) Dira - Inside Love/Time Out Of Time/Let's Go Back/Get Through To You/Loving A Stranger/Daydream/Won't You Come With Me
4 (4) Daniel Moore - Half Way Love
5 (6) Gabrielle Hurtt - Under the Influence/The Best Man
6 (2) Deborah Bell - Close Your Eyes/I Want To Satisfy/Precious Love/For All The Love
7 (16) Cool Million - Making Love/I See You/Love The Beat/Loose/Back Together/Back For More/Sweet Baby/Just Dance/Hurry Home
8 (3) Joyo Velarde - Certain Special Way (I Feel About You)/You Got Me (In The Mood)
9 (11) Jonathan Butler - So Strong
10 (20) Angela Johnson - Hurts Like Hell/Be Myself/Better/On The Radio/All In Me/It's Personal/Days
11 (15) John Gordon - All The Good Love/The Way I Want You/Start Over/ Until You
12 (9) Leela James - Tell Me You Love Me
13 (17) Ashanti Munir - So Smooth
14 (8) Dreemtime - Happy For 5/Glow/Fly/Night & Day/Grip/Feel/Don't Kill The Girls
15 (12) Amar Khalil - Born Again
16 (18) Soulemotion - You Will Smile
17 (14) Tour De 4Force - Yester Years/Godsend/We've Got Love/Heaven Bound/Four Walls/Just To Keep You In My Life
18 (10) Jaheim - Finding My Way Back/Ain't Leavin' Without You
19 ( - ) Margo Le Duc - No One Can Love Me Like You Do/Be The One/You Make Me Smile/Let Love In/Hope For The World
20 (13) Raheem Devaughn - I Don't Care/Mr Right/Fragile/My Wife/Bedroom/Garden Of Love
21 (23) Daxwood Soul/Various - I Really Want To Get To Know You/Call Me/Land Yet/We've Still Got Love/Love's Not Supposed To Hurt
22 (22) Iku ft Michael Robinson - Crash Test
23 ( - ) Carmichael - Always Come Back/Angel In The Sky/That's My Song/More Than Wonderful
24 (19) The Whispers Orchestra - Maybe This Time/Can I/Family/Inside Lovers
25 ( - ) Gabbie McGee - Help Wanted/Idealistic Love/Give It 2 Me
26 ( - ) John Blackwell Project - Jada/You're The One/Amazing
27 (25) Kenny Springs - Just Believe/More & More/Lord U Know Me/At All Times
28 ( - ) KJ Rose - Please Stay
29 (24) Adriana Evans – Waiting /Suddenly/ Midnight / Surrender Walking With The Night/Weatherman/El Sol/Set In Stone
30 (27) Carenso - Giving You All The Praise/What Do I Do/I'll Go
Reply
"Top 60 CDs of 2008!”
1-The Sunburst Band-CD Moving With The Shakers-Z-Records
2-Reel People-CD Seven Ways To Wonder-Papa Records/Groove
3-Robin Thicke-CD Something Else-Arista
4-Eric Benet-Life & Love-Reprise/P&M Soulchoonz
5-Angela Johnson-CD Angela Johnson presents A Woman s Touch Vol.1-Dome
6-Maysa-CD Metamorphosis-Expansion
7-Lalah Hathaway-CD Self Portrait-Fastasy
8-Incognito-CD Tales From The Beach-Dome
9-Mary J. Blige-CD Growing Pains-Geffen
10-Jaheim-CD The Makings Of A Man-Atlantic
11-Cool Million-CD Going Out Tonigh-Phantom Sound & Vision
12-Raphael Saadiq-CD The Way I See-Columbia
13-Various-CD Soul Togetherness 2008-Expansion
14-Erykah Badu-CD New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)-Motown
15-Bennson-CD Let The Love-Raw Fusion /Groove
16-Marc Evans-7"Single-This Thing Called Love-TSOD
17-Kloud 9-CD Enjoy The Ride-Expansion
18-Ashanti Munir-CD Balance - Grooveallegiance USA
19-Jennifer Hudson-CD Jennifer Hudson-Arista
20-Raheem Devaughn-CD Love Behind The Melody-Zomba
21-Don-E-CD Natural-Dome
22-Sophia Nelson-CD Woman In Love-P&M Soulchoonz
23-Jazzanova-CD Of All The Things-Verve
24-Incognito-CD More Tales Remixed-Dome
25-Teddy Pendergrass-My People-Of The Porch Productions
26-Chante Moore-CD Love The Woman-Concord
27-Al Green-CD Lay It Down-Blue Note
28-Lina-CD Morning Star-Moon Star
29-Confection-CD Confection-P&M Soulchoonz
30-Peo Feat Mirjam-7"Single-Tonight-Sundae Soul
31-Trina Broussard-CD Inside My Love-Trina
32-Omar Cunningham-CD Time Served-P&M Soulchoonz
33-Gina Foster-7"Single-B Side Of Love-Soul Togetherness
34-Heston-CD StoryTeller-World Soul Music
35-Noel Gourdin-CD After My Time-Epic
36-The Embers-CDThe Show Must Go On-P&M Soulchoonz
37-Mariah Carey-CD E=MC ²-Island
38-George Duke-CD Dukey Treats-Heads Up
39-Hil St. Soul-CD Black Rose-Shanachie
40-Alex Lattimore-CD Promise-P&M Soulchoonz
41-Conya Doss-CD Still... -Dome
42-Satya Project-CD Shine A Light-P&M Soulchoonz
43-North "2unes" Woodall-CD Straight @ You-P&M Soulchoonz
44-Various-CD Soul Ecstasy-Expansion
45-Little Anthony & The Imperials-CD You'll Never Know-Imperials Plus
46-Various-CD Village Soul Vol 2-Expansion
47-Izzy James-CD A Call To Conscience-P&M Soulchoonz
48-Kenny Lattimore-CD Timeless-Verve
49-Calvin Richardson-CD When Love Comes-Shanachie
50-The Chestnut Brothers-CD Retro Soul-Abdul Entertainment
51-Sir Wick-CD An Interpretation Of A Universal Language-Sir Wick Entertainment
52-Vladimir Cetkar-CD We Will Never End-P&M Soulchoonz
53-Lori Dow-CD Love Changes-P&M Soulchoonz
54-Phil Perry-CD Ready For Love-Shanachie
55-Leon WareCD Moon Ride-Stax
56-Various-CD Soul Unsigned Volume 1-CD Soul Unsigned
57-Cynthia Jones-CD Gotta Soul-Universal
58-Wayne Brady-CD A Long Time Coming-Peak
59-Various-CD Independent Soul Divas-Lola Waxx
60-Dwele-CD Sketches Of A Man-Koch
Reply
Boston's very own Ashanti Munir is someone that we've all had our eyes on since the release in 2008 of her critically acclaimed "Balance" album, an album that opened the door to the heart of a special, deep and soulful Lady. A genuine soul, open and honest, "Balance" was very much an open book, a heart on sleeve effort that told a story of development and struggle. It was, by any standard a strong foundation set for any recording artist fighting on their own or with major backing. It's with pleasure that 2010 sees the release of the sophomore release, "Soul of a Woman". It's from the strong foundation of her first set of recordings that this album builds from, and built strong it is too. I can see much more in the way of plaudits coming her way thanks to her work here. Ashanti's live performance at the exclusive Soulchoonz party back in August 2008 had no one in doubt that what we had here, live, in front of us was a REAL talent who was certainly no one-trip pony. There was, as far as I could see, a great future ahead and this CD delivers that and promises more!
On the popular wave of her "I'm Staying Home Tonight" we have a similar soon-to-be popular tune "Easy Way About You" which features some great, great sax - this will keep a smile on the face of “Super Gary Spence” quite right too. I absolutely melted with delight when I heard track two, "So Smooth", a cut that would neither be out of place on an MCA album circa 1986 or the latest sets from James Reeno or Cool Million. The 80s are back, baby and this Controllers-type groove paired with some great sax ticks every conceivable box for the likes of this old hack. The funky "Ooh" with its freaky keys and brass touches is another strong, strong effort that allows Ashanti to get low-down, dirty and downright sassy. This is a dirty slab of a tune and should go down very well indeed! The strong, positive messages contained in "Don't Be Afraid" are solid stuff indeed. What we have here is a strong voice of experience and someone who knows what she is singing about through real and bitter experience. For Ashanti, the term 'no pain, no gain' would mean a lot and she has condensed all her experience into one hell of a directional and highly positive message. Also, musically it is SUPERB and definitely one of the album's true joys!
The elegance of "It Should Be You" also cannot be understated. The feeling here is of a classy Jam and Lewis effort with, say, Janet Jackson back in the mid 80s. Such a beautiful, quality song! This does Ashanti much credit. The title song, Soul of a Woman, too will be one to savor and enjoy...it oozes class and wipes the floor with all of today's whining R&B girlies showing that modern US R&B doesn't have to be crass. Fans of Lalah Hathaway's latest sets will weep with pleasure over the gorgeously acoustic "Sometimes Love". This song brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps to my flesh. Only an artist of GREAT caliber can reduce me to this kind of state, and this Lady has that knack. The final song, "Underestimation", is totally, totally essential and is of such a quality you would imagine that it had been lifted from a Marion Meadows or Najee album. This album is a very, very qualified success for a new artist such as Ashanti. To return with a follow-up set is a bonus in these dark times, but to raise the bar and do so with such force, finesse and real confidence is a joy to behold. Ashanti Munir deserves to be one of THE defining soul artists of the 21st Century. An incredibly essential album!
Barry Towler
“The Vibe Scribe”
March 2, 2010
www.soulchoonz.com
Reply
Grooveallegiance USA / Blog
ASHANTI MUNIR: "Soul of a Woman" Soul and Jazz and Funk review 2010
ASHANTI MUNIR: Soul of a Woman (2010 Grooveallegiance USA) Wednesday, 29 September 2010 18:30 Bill Buckley Ashanti Munir hails from Brockton, Massachusetts and she debuted in 2008 with an album called 'Balance'. The set was one of that year's best indie soul outings, neatly avoiding the pitfalls that bedevil many similar projects. The good news is that this – her sophomore set – is even better. 'Soul of a Woman' is a great little collection and if it was by a big star and on major label it would be getting exposure all over the place ... as it is, it will probably need the savvy, good old soul underground to get it off the ground. It may take time, but it will takeoff 'cos it has so much going for it. First up is the quality of the songs. The ten original compositions (we'll come to the two covers later) have a consistent quality that you don't often get on indie soul sets. The opening cut 'Easy Way About U' is a stormer. It's an almost perfect modern soul confection (with the emphasis on soul rather than feigned pastiche) and by the start of the gritty sax break everyone's feet should be well tapping – which brings us to the second factor contributing to the album's quality – the production. Though Ms Munir takes "exec" control she works chiefly with Craig A Eleazer and he has a great ear for what should be going on when and where – witness the beautiful layered harmonies on 'Sometimes Love' or the old soul feel of 'Blue'. The third and chief reason why this LP is so good is the obvious one – Ashanti Munir has a great, true soul voice. It has a world-weariness you don't usually get from an artist at so early a stage in a career. Hear it to good effect, on the gospel tinged ballad 'Until U' or the searing slowie 'It Should Be U' (that one a duet with Neil L’enTendre). Ms Munir and Eleazer are so confident about that voice that they've take on two monumental covers. The first is a great groove heavy version of the Mary J Blige penned 'Ooh' and the second is a tremendous version of Smokey's 'Ooh Baby Baby'. There, the duo didn't take on the original; rather they strip it down and keep it simple. The harmonies are understated, the piano a delight and the gentle, jazzy guitar fills superb. It illustrates what I meant about the production values. With tight budgets, simplicity can bring results. Other goodies on the set include the LP's title song – a crisp, little two stepper and the Wadz produced retro 'So Smooth' - that, of course, was a focal point on his own recent set. Yes, 'Soul of a Woman' is a proper soul album and I urge you to at least investigate... which you can at www.myspace.com/ashantimunir
Reply
2010 Soul Tracks "Soul of a Woman" CD Review - Ann Arbor, MI
Let's keep it real: there are some people who, if given the opportunity, would turn back the clock and relive the days of their youth, but for most of us, there's just something special about being "grown." In the mercurial entertainment industry, the Powers That Be perpetuate the ideas and the looks of being young for their artists as long as possible, but the ability to navigate through life with clarity, confidence and wisdom can only occur with experience, so that's what newcomers and fans will hear when they get an earful of Ashanti Munir's latest CD, Soul of a Woman. A sultry and well-seasoned follow-up of her 2008 release, Balance, Soul.... contains, along with the first-rate production (Craig A. Eleazer and Felix Mwangi), the hallmarks of artistic self-assuredness and skill. In addition to co-writing seven of the twelve tracks and authoring one exclusively, the Boston, MA native also supplies both lead and background vocals, dabbling in flavors of jazz ("Easy Way About U,"), funk-fringed R&B ("So Smooth"), old-school and pop. Her vocals range from sweet to outright sinewy, recalling Atlantic Starr's Sharon Bryant on the self-empowered mantra, "Don't Be Afraid" and the revelatory ballad, "Until U," where she all but gushes about the man who added color to a drab existence by walking into her life and personifying her nighttime dreams and daytime fantasies. Ms. Munir is versatile enough to bring different moods to the mix: there's the Quiet-Storm-ready "It Should Be U," the throaty, yet sinuous "Blue" and the anthem-esque title track, where she declares to a potential suitor that he needs to reach higher and dig deeper in order to earn the totality of her womanhood: "You say you want to be in my heart, you need to set yourself, apart./Although you claim to be the one...to reach my soul you must be strong and true/know what to say and what to do." The pair of remakes, a cover of Smokey Robinson's "Ooh Baby Baby" and Mary J. Blige's "Ooh!," are serviceable, but the musical arrangements mirror the original versions too dutifully for Ms. Munir to put her stamp on them creatively. Aside from a few clunky or clichéd selections ("Sometimes Love" and "Miracles" mean well, but are too self-conscious to make an impact), those who appreciate luxurious and lived-in music will enjoy the contents of this lady's Soul. Ashanti Munir embraces her musical gifts, spins them into appealing lessons about love and life and then passes them on to the world at large, just as any other righteous grown sister would. Recommended. By Melody Charles August 15, 2010 http://www.soultracks.com/ashanti-munir-soul-of-a-woman-review
Reply
THE STARPOINT RADIO TOP 30 CHART - LONDON, UK April 26, 2010
1 (7) United We Cure/Various - The Cure/Silver Lining/Everything I Need/Fly Higher 2 (5) Erykah Badu - Window Seat/Turn Me Away (Get Munny)/Gone Baby DontBeLong//FallInloveYourFuneral/... 3 (1) Dira - Inside Love/Time Out Of Time/Let's Go Back/Get Through To You/Loving A Stranger/Daydream/Won't You Come With Me 4 (4) Daniel Moore - Half Way Love 5 (6) Gabrielle Hurtt - Under the Influence/The Best Man 6 (2) Deborah Bell - Close Your Eyes/I Want To Satisfy/Precious Love/For All The Love 7 (16) Cool Million - Making Love/I See You/Love The Beat/Loose/Back Together/Back For More/Sweet Baby/Just Dance/Hurry Home 8 (3) Joyo Velarde - Certain Special Way (I Feel About You)/You Got Me (In The Mood) 9 (11) Jonathan Butler - So Strong 10 (20) Angela Johnson - Hurts Like Hell/Be Myself/Better/On The Radio/All In Me/It's Personal/Days 11 (15) John Gordon - All The Good Love/The Way I Want You/Start Over/ Until You 12 (9) Leela James - Tell Me You Love Me 13 (17) Ashanti Munir - So Smooth 14 (8) Dreemtime - Happy For 5/Glow/Fly/Night & Day/Grip/Feel/Don't Kill The Girls 15 (12) Amar Khalil - Born Again 16 (18) Soulemotion - You Will Smile 17 (14) Tour De 4Force - Yester Years/Godsend/We've Got Love/Heaven Bound/Four Walls/Just To Keep You In My Life 18 (10) Jaheim - Finding My Way Back/Ain't Leavin' Without You 19 ( - ) Margo Le Duc - No One Can Love Me Like You Do/Be The One/You Make Me Smile/Let Love In/Hope For The World 20 (13) Raheem Devaughn - I Don't Care/Mr Right/Fragile/My Wife/Bedroom/Garden Of Love 21 (23) Daxwood Soul/Various - I Really Want To Get To Know You/Call Me/Land Yet/We've Still Got Love/Love's Not Supposed To Hurt 22 (22) Iku ft Michael Robinson - Crash Test 23 ( - ) Carmichael - Always Come Back/Angel In The Sky/That's My Song/More Than Wonderful 24 (19) The Whispers Orchestra - Maybe This Time/Can I/Family/Inside Lovers 25 ( - ) Gabbie McGee - Help Wanted/Idealistic Love/Give It 2 Me 26 ( - ) John Blackwell Project - Jada/You're The One/Amazing 27 (25) Kenny Springs - Just Believe/More & More/Lord U Know Me/At All Times 28 ( - ) KJ Rose - Please Stay 29 (24) Adriana Evans – Waiting /Suddenly/ Midnight / Surrender Walking With The Night/Weatherman/El Sol/Set In Stone 30 (27) Carenso - Giving You All The Praise/What Do I Do/I'll Go
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Solar Radio's "2008 Year End Sweet Rhythm Chart", London - UK
"Top 60 CDs of 2008!” 1-The Sunburst Band-CD Moving With The Shakers-Z-Records 2-Reel People-CD Seven Ways To Wonder-Papa Records/Groove 3-Robin Thicke-CD Something Else-Arista 4-Eric Benet-Life & Love-Reprise/P&M Soulchoonz 5-Angela Johnson-CD Angela Johnson presents A Woman s Touch Vol.1-Dome 6-Maysa-CD Metamorphosis-Expansion 7-Lalah Hathaway-CD Self Portrait-Fastasy 8-Incognito-CD Tales From The Beach-Dome 9-Mary J. Blige-CD Growing Pains-Geffen 10-Jaheim-CD The Makings Of A Man-Atlantic 11-Cool Million-CD Going Out Tonigh-Phantom Sound & Vision 12-Raphael Saadiq-CD The Way I See-Columbia 13-Various-CD Soul Togetherness 2008-Expansion 14-Erykah Badu-CD New Amerykah: Part One (4th World War)-Motown 15-Bennson-CD Let The Love-Raw Fusion /Groove 16-Marc Evans-7"Single-This Thing Called Love-TSOD 17-Kloud 9-CD Enjoy The Ride-Expansion 18-Ashanti Munir-CD Balance - Grooveallegiance USA 19-Jennifer Hudson-CD Jennifer Hudson-Arista 20-Raheem Devaughn-CD Love Behind The Melody-Zomba 21-Don-E-CD Natural-Dome 22-Sophia Nelson-CD Woman In Love-P&M Soulchoonz 23-Jazzanova-CD Of All The Things-Verve 24-Incognito-CD More Tales Remixed-Dome 25-Teddy Pendergrass-My People-Of The Porch Productions 26-Chante Moore-CD Love The Woman-Concord 27-Al Green-CD Lay It Down-Blue Note 28-Lina-CD Morning Star-Moon Star 29-Confection-CD Confection-P&M Soulchoonz 30-Peo Feat Mirjam-7"Single-Tonight-Sundae Soul 31-Trina Broussard-CD Inside My Love-Trina 32-Omar Cunningham-CD Time Served-P&M Soulchoonz 33-Gina Foster-7"Single-B Side Of Love-Soul Togetherness 34-Heston-CD StoryTeller-World Soul Music 35-Noel Gourdin-CD After My Time-Epic 36-The Embers-CDThe Show Must Go On-P&M Soulchoonz 37-Mariah Carey-CD E=MC ²-Island 38-George Duke-CD Dukey Treats-Heads Up 39-Hil St. Soul-CD Black Rose-Shanachie 40-Alex Lattimore-CD Promise-P&M Soulchoonz 41-Conya Doss-CD Still... -Dome 42-Satya Project-CD Shine A Light-P&M Soulchoonz 43-North "2unes" Woodall-CD Straight @ You-P&M Soulchoonz 44-Various-CD Soul Ecstasy-Expansion 45-Little Anthony & The Imperials-CD You'll Never Know-Imperials Plus 46-Various-CD Village Soul Vol 2-Expansion 47-Izzy James-CD A Call To Conscience-P&M Soulchoonz 48-Kenny Lattimore-CD Timeless-Verve 49-Calvin Richardson-CD When Love Comes-Shanachie 50-The Chestnut Brothers-CD Retro Soul-Abdul Entertainment 51-Sir Wick-CD An Interpretation Of A Universal Language-Sir Wick Entertainment 52-Vladimir Cetkar-CD We Will Never End-P&M Soulchoonz 53-Lori Dow-CD Love Changes-P&M Soulchoonz 54-Phil Perry-CD Ready For Love-Shanachie 55-Leon WareCD Moon Ride-Stax 56-Various-CD Soul Unsigned Volume 1-CD Soul Unsigned 57-Cynthia Jones-CD Gotta Soul-Universal 58-Wayne Brady-CD A Long Time Coming-Peak 59-Various-CD Independent Soul Divas-Lola Waxx 60-Dwele-CD Sketches Of A Man-Koch
Reply
2010 Soulchoonz "Soul of a Woman" CD Review
Boston's very own Ashanti Munir is someone that we've all had our eyes on since the release in 2008 of her critically acclaimed "Balance" album, an album that opened the door to the heart of a special, deep and soulful Lady. A genuine soul, open and honest, "Balance" was very much an open book, a heart on sleeve effort that told a story of development and struggle. It was, by any standard a strong foundation set for any recording artist fighting on their own or with major backing. It's with pleasure that 2010 sees the release of the sophomore release, "Soul of a Woman". It's from the strong foundation of her first set of recordings that this album builds from, and built strong it is too. I can see much more in the way of plaudits coming her way thanks to her work here. Ashanti's live performance at the exclusive Soulchoonz party back in August 2008 had no one in doubt that what we had here, live, in front of us was a REAL talent who was certainly no one-trip pony. There was, as far as I could see, a great future ahead and this CD delivers that and promises more! On the popular wave of her "I'm Staying Home Tonight" we have a similar soon-to-be popular tune "Easy Way About You" which features some great, great sax - this will keep a smile on the face of “Super Gary Spence” quite right too. I absolutely melted with delight when I heard track two, "So Smooth", a cut that would neither be out of place on an MCA album circa 1986 or the latest sets from James Reeno or Cool Million. The 80s are back, baby and this Controllers-type groove paired with some great sax ticks every conceivable box for the likes of this old hack. The funky "Ooh" with its freaky keys and brass touches is another strong, strong effort that allows Ashanti to get low-down, dirty and downright sassy. This is a dirty slab of a tune and should go down very well indeed! The strong, positive messages contained in "Don't Be Afraid" are solid stuff indeed. What we have here is a strong voice of experience and someone who knows what she is singing about through real and bitter experience. For Ashanti, the term 'no pain, no gain' would mean a lot and she has condensed all her experience into one hell of a directional and highly positive message. Also, musically it is SUPERB and definitely one of the album's true joys! The elegance of "It Should Be You" also cannot be understated. The feeling here is of a classy Jam and Lewis effort with, say, Janet Jackson back in the mid 80s. Such a beautiful, quality song! This does Ashanti much credit. The title song, Soul of a Woman, too will be one to savor and enjoy...it oozes class and wipes the floor with all of today's whining R&B girlies showing that modern US R&B doesn't have to be crass. Fans of Lalah Hathaway's latest sets will weep with pleasure over the gorgeously acoustic "Sometimes Love". This song brought tears to my eyes and goose bumps to my flesh. Only an artist of GREAT caliber can reduce me to this kind of state, and this Lady has that knack. The final song, "Underestimation", is totally, totally essential and is of such a quality you would imagine that it had been lifted from a Marion Meadows or Najee album. This album is a very, very qualified success for a new artist such as Ashanti. To return with a follow-up set is a bonus in these dark times, but to raise the bar and do so with such force, finesse and real confidence is a joy to behold. Ashanti Munir deserves to be one of THE defining soul artists of the 21st Century. An incredibly essential album! Barry Towler “The Vibe Scribe” March 2, 2010 www.soulchoonz.com
Reply