Jam 40 Productions LLC: News

Tuesday, 15 April 2008
Leonard Julien III - All Cuts - US Modeste CD “Reflections Of Soul”


Completing a trio of fine albums this issue is this album from Leonard Julien III out of Atlanta, Georgia. I’m going to stick my neck out here and say that this was reminiscent of hearing that brilliant Keith Washington debut set for the first time in the early 90’s. It really is that good! In fact the label name is tinged with irony, as if I’d of delivered a set of this calibre, modest(e) is the last thing I would be! I’m not even going to attempt to single out cuts here as there really is no need for the skip button on this. Buy this CD without hesitation. Super soul music for the 21st century.

Our tabulations of purchases and votes for the month are in, and you (or an artist you are affiliated with) are in the new SoulTracks Top 10 albums chart. Our top 10 is calculated by "click through" purchases at Amazon and CD Baby for the month. Here is the new top 10 list:

1 Conya Doss Still…
2 Algebra Purpose
3 Water Seed Early for the Future
4 Michael McDonald Soul Speak
5 Angela Johnson A Woman's Touch
6 Erykah Badu New Amerykah Pt. 1
7 Leonard Julien III Reflections of Soul
8 Lina Morning Star
9 Taniq Life and Times of Love
10 Marcus Miller Marcus


The new top 10 has now been posted at http://www.soultracks.com/top10. Feel free to use your chart position in any way that will help promote your project. The new charting period will begin on the first of the month, so let your fans know to make purchases through click-throughs from our Top 10 page (so that we can track them) during the coming month.

Again, congratulations!

Chris
______________________________________

Leonard Julien III - Reflections of Soul

Reflections of Soul by Leonard Julien III is an easy album to listen to. Julien is a silky smooth singer who displays a real comfort in singing the mid-tempo love song. And it's easy to see why nearly all of the songs on Reflections of Soul have that 1980s smooth sheen. That's a sound that the "grown and sexy" crowd likes, and those fans will respond to Julien's tenor and his vocal range. Still, this would have been a far more rewarding project if Reflections of Soul had been a more balanced project in terms of tempo.

The songs that are most memorable on Reflections of Soul are the cuts in which Julien displays his grittier side. The best examples of that come at the end of the record. That's where Julien stretches out some both in terms of tempo and topics. It's not like anyone would call "What She Don't Know" and "You're Gonna Miss Me" up-tempo dance songs. Both of them are mid-tempo grooves that deal with relationships. While Julien doesn't altar the tempo, both songs have a feel that is different from the other tunes on the album. "What She Don't Know," with it's driving bass line and guitar flourishes, is a funk infused story of a man conflicted. He's trying to break off an affair before his wife finds out about it. The beat plows deep into the funk mine, which serves as the perfect contrast for Julien's soaring lyrics. He moves effortlessly from a growl to a near falsetto, and the lyrics make this the most compelling song on the album.

"You're Gonna Miss Me," a song in which Julien seems to channel the spirit of the great Sam Cooke, comes in a close second. This is a soulful screamer in which Julien admonishes a lover for taking him for granted. The soulful bass line and Julien's delivery - which draws it's inspiration from the church choir stands - is kind of fusion of sacred and secular that made men such as Cooke and Curtis Mayfield legends.

Both tunes were welcome changes of pace from the silky smooth ballads that preceded them, and the album would have benefited from at least one of them arriving earlier. Early on, the songs "I Can't Believe" and "And I Love You" do a good job of keeping the listener interested. "And I Love You," in particular, is a standout. It's a ballad with a simple melody that allows the listener to focus on Julien's excellent vocals and strong lyrics. "Just Because" is a nice fusion of jazz and R&B. The saxophone riffs and bluesy bass line make the tune one that get couples on the dance floor.

Reflections of Soul has some nice elements - and Julien's voice is one of them. Julien is a soulful singer with wide vocal range, and he operates well in the smooth balladeer tradition of singers such as Freddie Jackson. However, the most memorable moments on Reflections of Soul came with Julien got a little rough and gritty. I wish he taken that chance earlier and more often.

By Howard Dukes

LEONARD JULIEN - REFLECTIONS OF SOUL
Now here's a quality laid back soul album from the very soulful voiced Leonard. The album never gets above mid tempo but the songs the music with real instruments and his delivery are so good that it keeps you captivated throughout. Highlights are the mid tempo 'Wanna Get Close To You' , the Philly style ballads 'I Cant Believe' and 'Just Because' and the ballads 'And I Love You', 'The Love I Let Slip Away' , 'Since The Day I met You' and 'What She Don't Know' are all quality and there's a nice cover of Jerry Butler's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. Sit back relax and enjoy!

Leonard Julien III - Reflections of Soul


If you love the quality independent releases that were around in the early-mid 1990s then this set may possibly appeal to you. The style is also not dissimilar to the latest Nicolas Bearde set. Vocally I hear a blend of artists within Leonard’s delivery. Mostly I hear Philip Ingram but there are elements, which I am sure belie some form of tribute, to the late, great David Ruffin. There are definitely parts that are styled on David, and this adds a raw edge to the smoother side of Leonard’s skills.

“Reflections Of Soul” is a traditional, good old-fashioned soul album. Its no-nonsense romantic approach and style is one that is less and less prevalent these days, so it’s almost refreshing to hear an album like this. Holistically, the album is competent and consistent and for me there are no standouts; the set is a nice listenable one from start to finish and definitely leaves you with a warm feeling. Leonard has a voice that you want to listen to. Some artists, songs etc can go by unnoticed, however much you love the singer or the song. Not the case here. I found myself listening more intently to the vocals, every high, every nuance and turn of phrase. I was particularly intent on “I Can’t Believe” which is a quality effort, complete with smooth female backing harmonies. I would like to hear this on the radio, and on here at the tail end of the song you will hear what I mean about my reference to David Ruffin.

I was also impressed with the cover version of Michael Henderson’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”. OK, no-one can beat Mr. Henderson but nor should we expect them to. This is champion, though, and another I’d like to hear sported on the likes of Solar Radio. The use of sax on “Just Because” is spot-on. This is Nicolas Bearde material, and I think that many readers will appreciate this song. Again, sax is used on the By All Means-like “This Time It’s real”. I could imagine the late Carl Anderson having done a great take on this. The synth, drums, keys and female vocals are second to none, and there’s a lot of variety and texture to Leonard’s delivery. This is an interesting, relaxed and perfectly chilled real soul album. Just pop it on and savour it.

Barry Towler