2unes
-
Straight
@ You
North "Tunes"
Woodall, a name, a message, a promise. The Jackson, Mississippi born
musician had his first contact with his guitar in the early age of 11.
Leaded by heroes like Ernie Isley, Santana and Joe Walsh he quickly
developed his own style of performance. His amazing repertory of songs
coined his name Tunes.
He worked with greats
such as the Ohio Players, Roger Troutman and Zapp, Roy Aires, Millie
Jackson, Tom Browne, and Will Downe. Currently, Tunes is playing with
the Uptown Entertainment Band that he co-founded and is working hard
in his Home Studio on new projects. After his debut album Hot And
Cool (2005) now follows his sophomore album Straight @ You
(2007), which showcases besides some covers five original
compositions.
North has a special
feeling for grooving tunes. Everything what you like in the world of
good old Funk and R&B, you re-found it on this album. The album starts
with a cover version of Rock Steady. Composed by dream-team "Babyface"
Edmonds, Reid and Watson the original was released by the Whispers in
1987, a huge hit. While Rachael Thomas lends his strong vocals and
keeps the connection to the original, North adds his own flavor of
funky guitar.
North shines on his
own composition Sweet Baby. A infectious song with a high
hooking factor. Featured musician on this tune is saxophonist Eugene
Hunter. On the second half of the tune North adds a Wah-effect and
give it some edges. Priceless!
Going In Circles
is another gem of R&B history. Friends of Distinction had a
chart-breaker with this ballade in 1969. A vibrant melody with a
feeling of exhilaration.
All I Need Is You
is featuring female singer Anna Sullivant, a talent with a great
appeal. Her vocals and North's cool guitar loops level the tune to a
really catchy record.
I have really heard
the monster hit Rain Forest by Paul Hardcastle in many versions,
I count even 19 (!) versions of Hardcastle himself. I never expected
that another musician would cover this washed-out tune. Anyway the
result is respectable.
When you listen to
North's own composition like M.V.P., you will not find a
difference in the quality to the covered songs, what speaks for
North's compositional talent.
Kem is a new singer
on the horizon of R&B. Although his first album Kemistry had a
decent success of more than 10.000 sold copies, he didn't earned the
great success which one can await after listening to his music. One of
his greatest fans is certainly North who covered Kem's song Find
Your Way which was published on Album II (2005). Good stuff!
Personally I prefer
the up-tempo tunes like Just Add Water, which was composed by
North's friend Randy Hoexter. Pianist and composer Randy Hoexter has been at the top of Atlanta's jazz scene for
more than fifteen years and recently released his critically acclaimed
debut album Radiant. Randy plays all instruments, while North
performs his great Wah-guitar. Randy arranged together with North all
songs on this album and was also executive producer.
Café 290 is
featuring trumpet player Ryan Jackson who is a master of the muted
trumpet. Randy Hoexter's keys perfectly fits into the atmosphere
mostly playing in chords. While North performs the melody in single
notes with great vivacity.
The last tune of
North's album is a cover of Let's Groove Tonight. A song of
Earth, Wind & Fire, one of the tightest Funk Band, the world has ever
seen, released on their album Raise! (1982). A chart-topper
newly polished by North with some vocoder effects.
Straight @ You is
exactly what the title says. This album makes fun and cheers you up in
the right way.
- 2unes - Website
- Bio
- Buy the album at
- Title: Straight At You
Artist: 2unes
Year: 2007
Length: 0:45:01
Genre: Smooth Jazz
Tracks:
01 Rock Steady [4:11]
02 Sweet Baby [4:32]
03 Going In Circles [5:20]
04 All I Need Is You [4:33]
05 Rain Forest [4:19]
06 MVP [3:54]
07 Find Your Way [4:33]
08 Just Add Water [4:09]
09 Café 290 [4:08]
10 Lets Groove Tonight [5:21]
