On The Verge Blog: Monet

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Digital Under:Ground :: Amma Whatt - MAYBE

It's a beautiful thing when you discover an artist via another project that you're checking out. I was checking out the new album by Jarrard Anthony entitled Ready To Live when a new name and a sweet voice jumped out at me. But it wasn't until a week later that I was made aware, by my good friend DJ Conscience, that Amma Whatt had her own material available via her bandcamp page.

Fusing sounds of R&B, hip-hop, acoustic-alternative, and world music, MAYBE is a collection of songs expressing where we often find ourselves in the cycles of love, relationships, and new beginnings. Amma Whatt also takes this opportunity to let you in on her writing process and collaborative sessions.

Guests on this project include Monet, VINX, Akil Dasan, Nicholas Ryan Gant, and Shawn Lucas. MAYBE also includes co-writes by Tubby Love and VINX, production by H2o Productions, and beat-box production by Akil Dasan.

This mainly acoustic EP, is just a preview of what's to come from Amma Whatt. She plans to release her full LP in 2013. For now you can support her efforts by purchasing this amazing EP and letting your music loving friends know about Amma Whatt. CLICK HERE to purchase the 6 song EP MAYBE. We know you'll love it as much as we do so SPREAD THE WORD!

<a href="http://ammawhatt.bandcamp.com/album/maybe">MAYBE by AMMA WHATT</a>

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Jarrard Anthony - "Ready To Live" - Out Now!

Every once in a while an indie soul album will come along that totally blows me away! Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from Ready To Live. All I knew was that I wanted to press play, sit back and listen to a full album without having to skip songs. Didn't want to have to 'cherry pick' songs from the project and make my own EP. Too many potentially good albums are, in my opinion, ruined when there is no fluidity to the album. I consider myself a professional listener (everybody can't be an artist) so I know 'filler' songs when I hear it.

Well, this is not the case with Ready To Live, the new album by singer/songwriter/musician and Richmond, Virginia native Jarrard Anthony. I knew from the first song, Lucky Day, that it was indeed my 'lucky day' to have been blessed with this amazing new album. I could feel that I was in store for a smooth, soulful excursion with a nice pinch of jazz sprinkled in. Jarrard Anthony has been working the scene for several years but this may very well be his break out release. Ready To Live is contemporary soul at its finest and Jarrard Anthony's voice is warm and enticing with just enough soulful depth on every song to make this album an instant classic. None of the songs on the album feel forced or out of place making Ready To Live a genuine, must have album and a totally satisfying listening experience.

Ready To Live also boasts some very talented artists and legendary musicians that step in to round out the album. Lucky Day features New York-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Onaje Allan Gumbs (Norman Connors, Roy Ayers, Phyllis Hyman) and I Love You features Richmond, Virginia native and legendary jazz keyboardist Lonnie Liston Smith. I Love You is a cover and tribute to the late, great jazz-funk pianist/composer/playwright and Hampton, Virginian Weldon Irvine and also features native Virginian singer Patrice Covington and New York-based flutist Monet. Other wonderful talents that grace Ready To Live are Amer Amen, Amma Whatt, Darien, Eric Roberson, Jon Bibbs and Wildman.