Just a list… with some great albums that fill my head with great sounds at the moment.

Just a few quick notes:

Kanye West – Graduation

You can say what you want, but this guy knows how to make an album… Ever since The College Dropout, he has been able to tell a story. Whether you like it or not, these albums are complete.

Kanye West – 808′s and Heartbreak

At the second track, I was like “Enough with the voice transformer!”. At the last track, I was totally amazed by how strong this album is… darn good!

John Legend – Evolver

Damnnn! An instant classic with some grrrreat songs. “Goodmorning” has replace my alarm clock already and “If you’re out there” was and is indeed a great statement of support for Obama. The bonus Teddy Riley remix of “It’s over” is totally sweet.

Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It

Unexpected and genius. This album has the amazing gift of capturing the period in which some of the best music in history was made. How this album is produced and how well it all fits that period, perfectly shows the genius and possibilities of the great Raphael Saadiq. Total respect.

Q-Tip – The Renaissance

What can i say… the man has an addictive voice… Simply cannot get enough of it.

Dwele – Sketches of a Man

Hmmm… hard to say. I think I need to hear the album a few times more. For now I have the feeling that it is too much of the same, without any tracks that really excel. Am a bit disappointed I must say.

Rather than bringing the whole story of the concert earlier mentioned, I wrote a review over at Last.fm…

His voice was… well, it was still Maxwell’s. From first to last song and encore, his voice was a smooth and slick as we know it, and where possible he did show off his great reach from Maxwell high to Barry White low.

You can read the whole review here.

Further to explain his absence, the following video interview does give most details.

He’s touring the States now… anybody been to his concerts? What do you think?

On Sophia Darcell’s Soul Eclectic SOULBROTHER wrote:

Very nice smooth and sultry album from Miami songstress, that reminds me of both Sade and the Kuh Ledesma album from a few years back. The full band play well throughout and the soft horns and acoustic guitar interspersing with Sophia’s sophisticated voice gives the album a nice feel, that is familiar but refreshingly different, which will appeal to both soul and smooth jazz fans.

Listening to here voice over at sophiadarcell.com and her MySpace site, I think I can not really put it in better words. Being a passionate fan of Sade, that was exactly what first came to mind when I listened to Sophia.

On her MySpace site:

Some smooth funky jazz-alicious soul music spiced with Afro-Cuban flavas’.
A sensual soundscape of urban grit and tropical vibes; songs to kick back and relax to… make love to… mood music…Think Brand New Heavies, Incognito, Sade, Sweetback. Jill Scott, etc.

So, do not hesitate, get over there, listen and show your love.

Yet another R&B / Soul / Funk band brought to my attention through the contactform: THRESHOLD

Influenced by Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Me’Shell NdegeOCello and Sly & The Family Stone, Threshold is sweet formation L.A., California.
With the dark and warm voice of Angela Carole Brown, the band provides an easy and firm sound, sharing conscious lyrics (composed by Linda Taylor), as well as some sweet up-tempo hipshakeable songs.

Linda Taylor is solo-ing on one of the videos on the site by the way, and she is a verocious and enthusiastic guitar player.
Threshold has some special guest that are musical treats themselves:

• Keb’ Mo’ – Guitars
• David Patterson – Sax
• Darrell Crooks – Guitars
• Patryce “Choc’Let” Banks – Background Vocals

To check out more of Threshold, visit their website, listen to their tracks and watch their videos.