On the new album “Freedom,” Charles Emanuel expands on his acoustic-driven pop-soul sound with rich R&B songs about the power of love.
R&B
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Zahyia’s “Chapter 45” traverses soul, jazz, and rock
In her first full-length album as a solo artist, Zahyia showcases her passionate vocal delivery and affinity for eclectic musical styles.
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Danielle Ponder continues to dominate with new single ‘So Long’
Released ahead of a big spring tour, local sensation Danielle Ponder’s latest song is a declaration of self-liberation.
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Isaiah makes his own way on 2021 pop-R&B singles
Singer-songwriter-producer Isaiah Franchuk rejects conventional pop music wisdom in favor of organic vocal sounds and unorthodox song structures.
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Spencer. builds his own neo-soul world on debut album ‘Are U Down?’
On Rochester native Spencer.’s debut album for the indie label 4AD, the vibe is all-important as he draws from soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop.
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Pandemic and racial reckonings fuel Black artists
Amidst a paralyzing pandemic and tumultuous social protests, Rochester’s Black artists kept creating.
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The English Project welcomes listeners to the party on new single ‘It Takes Time’
The English Project’s frontman Chris English switches from drums to the organ on “It Takes Time,” a new single with an infectious soul sound.
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CITY’s 2020 Playlist: great music at a bad time
For a year that saw live music grind to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 had no shortage of quality recorded music by Rochester-area artists.
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R&B singer-songwriter Sherice Barnes emerges with ‘Moody’ music
Though Rochester’s Sherice Barnes was once afraid to take the stage, she has since found her voice as the R&B singer-songwriter She Rise.
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A change is gonna come
Danielle Ponder’s new series of singles preview her upcoming solo album and signal a move toward a more personal and emotionally transparent brand of music from the popular Rochester soul singer.
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Redbeard Samurai’s new single is music for a rainy day
On his new single “Rain Fall Down,” Rochester hip-hop artist Redbeard Samurai tones things down and shifts toward R&B and soul.
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Album review: ‘Stax ’68: A Memphis Story’
Various Artists ‘Stax ’68: A Memphis Story’ Craft Recordings staxrecords.com When Elvis Costello was recording “Get Happy,” he writes, “I bought myself a stack of Stax singles.” No wonder; some of pop music’s greatest tunes originated at the Memphis label. “Stax ’68: A Memphis Story,” contains every single from 1968, with120 songs spanning five CD’s. […]
