I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, #5or5000, by CeCe Teneal & Soul Kamotion and it's terrific! The significance of the title is a simple one: "We would always say whether there's five people or five thousand people in the audience," Teneal says, "and that just kind of stuck with us for this record. We're gonna give the show of a lifetime, we're gonna lay it all on the line, because every person deserves to get what the message is, they're gonna experience the same thing."
Opening with 90 MPH, a soul/rock blend, Teneal has great pipes and a super feel. James Adkins on drums, Terrell Kimble on bass, Chris Baptiste on keys and especially the hot guitar riffs of Lavon Rushing and smoking hot drum beat of James Adkins give this track real beef and the backing vocals of the entire band is tight. I think that readers know I like the neo soul movement and this band blends that with Victor Wooten, Frank Zappa...you name it. Very cool. Lumbering, Rockstar, is like Jill Scott with a rock band. Really nice approach with that plucked bass. With a laid back Al Green like approach and a constant bass line, What I'd Do To Get Your Love Back is a terrific radio style track with a strong melody and easy flowing guitar lead. Very nice. One of my favorite tracks on the release is soulful, Lonely (Even When You're Here), not only well executed but beautifully composed. Teneal grabs the phrasing by the nape of the neck and shakes it and the men in the band do an exemplary job on backing vocal, strongly accented by clean guitar soloing by Rushing. Excellent! With a New Orleans style funk, I Betcha Come Back will get you squirming in your seat (if not hoping to your feet). Great slapping snare drumming and rhythm guitar accent the track and perfect delivery by Teneal and excellent blending by the backing vocalists, tied up by slide work Rushing make this track hard not to love. Ballad, Alive starts out with low key, clear vocals by Teneal with keys easily folded in, but the dragon is coming with the addition of powerful guitar, drum and bass attack. Excellent dynamics. Wrapping the release is Home, a smooth soul track with Aretha franklin like phrasing by Teneal and warm spiritual organ backing and some of the sweetest backing vocals I've heard this year. This is an excellent release and one that warrants a good listen. Terrific!
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