Featured: 1Hey SoulTrackers! Two weeks ago we asked you to help a SoulTracks fave, Angela Johnson, to choose the first single from her upcoming album, Naturally Me (coming on August 19). You came through in droves and gave great feedback that was really helpful. And Angela would like to say thank you. Here's her thanks and her announcement:Facebook Comments: 1

Featured: 0CD Giveaways have become a staple here at SoulTracks, and they seem to keep getting better and better. Facebook Comments: 1

Featured: 0Montell Jordan was one of the biggest musical stars in the world in the mid-90s. He topped the chart with "This Is How We Do It" and kept the train going for over a half decade with hits like "Let's Ride" and "Get It On Tonite." But Montell's life took some drastic turns, and those twists and turns are part of the episode of TV One's "Unsung" that features the talented, singer, songwriter and producer. Check out Montell on this week's "Unsung" on Wednesday night, and then come back on Thursday to watch the episode here on SoulTracks!Facebook Comments: 1

Artist: Maxi PriestFeatured: 1List Ranking: 0Review: Maxi Priest came to the attention of American ears due to a pair of massive hits, and a third song that reached the Top 20. The first was his solo jam ?Close To You,? a number that ruled the airwaves throughout the summer and fall of 1990. The second, ?Set the Night to Music,? a duo with Roberta Flack, cam a year later, and then he scored another hit with fellow reggae star Shaggy with ?That Girl? in 1996. ?Close To You? is the song that best represents the Maxi Priest sound that brought the Jamaican born and London-raised singer fame, and that makes up the bulk of what listeners will hear on Easy To Love. ?Close To You? sported the Afro-Caribbean percussive rhythms. However, the tune fused that sound with R&B and pop bass line that, along with Priest?s smooth AC vocals, allowed ?Close To You? to fall easy on American ears. Consequently, when ?Close To You,? reached the top spot on the American pop charts, Priest became one of two British reggae acts to reach that lofty height at the time. UB 40 is the other. Most of the cuts on Easy To Love reprise the reggae fusion sound that brought Priest commercial success. Ironically, the best work on Easy To Love are two tracks that find Priest departing from the reggae fusion formula and in favor of straight up soul and American style pop ballad. Priest repurposes the theme that James Brown made famous on ?It?s a Man?s, Man?s World? with a musical arrangement inspired by ?When a Man Loves a Woman,? to create an original piece of gospel infused soul in ?Without a Woman.? Priest?s roots in the Pentecostal church come through in an arrangement that features an organ on the combination of Priest?s sweet, Sam Cooke-inspired vocals with the raspy baritone of Beres Hammond. ?Let Me Be The One? features a melody that floats alongside Priest?s vocals and lyrics that express his desire to make his girl the center of his attention. Priest plays to form throughout most of the tracks on Easy to Love. The title track finds Priest adding his smooth R&B vocals to the tune?s throbbing bass and percussive, island shuffle melody. That sound does become somewhat formulaic after awhile. I would have liked to seen Priest move away from the reggae fusion a few more times or perhaps throw more reggae fusion curves such as the his duet on ?Your Love To Me,? that not only features the pleasing vocals of Delarose, but some nice ensemble brass work. Despite that lack of variety, listeners will find Easy to Love an easy album to play and enjoy. Moderately Recommended. By Howard DukesAlbum Image: Click on CD cover to listen or purchaseAlbum Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-To-Love-Maxi-Priest/dp/B00JGWKITG/ref=as_sl_pc_tf_til?tag=soultracks-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=BMNOPTQNUSNTPR4M&creativeASIN=B00JGWKITGFacebook Comments: 1Title: Easy to LoveASIN:  var amzn_wdgt={widget:'MP3Clips'}; amzn_wdgt.tag='soultracks-20'; amzn_wdgt.widgetType='ASINList'; amzn_wdgt.ASIN='B00KHIS6F6'; amzn_wdgt.title='Easy to Love'; amzn_wdgt.width='250'; amzn_wdgt.height='250'; amzn_wdgt.shuffleTracks='False'; amzn_wdgt.marketPlace='US';

Featured: 0Two-time GRAMMY® nominated artist, KEM, is set to release his anxiously-awaited fourth full-length studio album, PROMISE TO LOVE, on August 26, 2014 throughMotown Records.Facebook Comments: 1