Here are some sounds from the hip hop, modern R&B and urban side of things.
RC Williams plays piano and a variety of keyboards mixing and matching with artists including Matt Ramsey/b, Mark Leteri/g and Cleon Edwards/dr. The songs are filled with synth grooves and raps by the likes of Amber Bullock, RC himself, Teedra Moes Devin Copeland and Melodie Nicole. Sweet soul is served on “Fallin In Love” and fun moods created on “Let You Know” while hip is hopping for “Special.” Lots of electronic pulses and messages of social political or just plain love.
Anu sun plays drums, programing, synths and brings voice while teaming with a cast including Robert Glasper/key, Burniss Earl Travis/b and a collection of vocalists. The pulses are thick, the grooves deep and the messages range from Barack Obama to Treyvon Martin to general “social justice.” The dark atmospheres work well with the R&B and quasi jazz pulse, making this feel like a collection of snippets from a member of SJWs. Music or political rally?
There are plenty of messages on drummer/composer’s H Doobie Powell’s album as well, but the feeling is more uplifting and optimistic, with God in the picture on almost every song. The members include Kevin Powell/org, barry Jackson/b, Kelly Jones/g, Scott May Moog/horns and the songs are about celebration on “I’m Blessed” to affirmations such as “Peace and Love” and heartfelt testimonies as on “Finding Myself Again.” The mood is modern R&B while the messages are timeless.
Vivian Sessions mixes classic jazz tunes with modern R&B and beyond on this intriguing session. A take of “Strange Fruit” is hauntingly modern and yet eerily nostalgic, while Billy Strayhorn’s “Lush Life” mixes modern soul with timeless loneliness and dissipation. Lots of synths grooving on “High Life” and rich horn by Keyon Harrold for “Dreaming of a Boy,” making this a hopeful conduit for young urbanites to start a path into classic jazz tunes.