DA'SOUL RECORDINGS... This company is the collaboration of several local Artists in the Midwest under the direction of the Mighty "J", Lead Producer and CEO... Truly a meeting of minds to unite as one to achieve greater success...

DA' SOUL RECORDINGS...

A label founded on these principles: Classic Soul, produced by real musicians creating music & lyrics that tell real stories, while paying tribute to the past, embracing the present, looking forward to the future, standing the test of time. To develop & nurture new talent . . .. Inspiring the community. To tap into a source, which is ancestrally our own. To produce music for those who truly require fulfillment of their souls. We give you, Da' Soul. Greetings to one and all who happen upon this site... You have the honor & privilege to be invited on a "Journey" to success with the Founding Fathers Of "Da Soul Recordings", here after referred to as "the company"... Come along as Eight Brothers from the "Mighty Midwest" join together to form an exciting new record label. We want you to observe what true "Teamwork" can accomplish as we go through the ups and downs, "Trials & Tribulations", "Transitions", & even the bickering, of starting a new business... Be the first to hear of new music from our stable of artist such as "Mona J" (My Frame Of Mind, available now at CDBaby.com.) "J" (Take Me As I Am, available now at CDBaby.com), Mr. Chazz Dixon, Gary Brown, wish this, Renee, & many more!! Post your comments, questions, & thoughts regarding our music, artist, and style, whatever. Aspiring musicians, singers, writers, singer songwriter, groups, please join our group & maybe someday we can help one another... For the average music fan, especially those in my NE family of clubs... Please come in & enjoy the ride... It's for you that we are here in the first place!! Maybe even more importantly, we need your feedback. If you truly love Classic R&B, Today’s Flavor, Truly gifted Artist, Musicians, Writers, Great Stories, & Superb Production... In a word, you deserve Da'Soul. Thank you for taking the time to visit & don't forget to join before you leave the site. Peace, Ricardo & the Founding Fathers Of Da' Soul Recordings Group LLC.

Review of Ricardo... Hold Tight

posted September 5th at 12:01pm

Soul Express Album Review http://www.soulexpress.net/ricardo.htm RICARDO Hold Tight (US Two Brothers, 2007) 1) Say What You Say 2) Just A Matter Of Time 3) If You Love Me 4) Down Time 5) Venetian Blinds 6) Whenever, Whatever 7) Farewell To Love 8) Hold Tight 9) I'm Lost 10) Livin' Without You 11) Since You've Been Gone 12) If You're Really Concerned 13) You've Always Been The Only One 14) I Don't Know 15) Venetian Blinds This is actually the gentleman's second album, and in my mind the stronger of the two. Production comes from the mighty J, and they really have come up with the goods on a number of songs. If you, like me, loved the Detroit sounds of Kevin McCord and One Way then you will love some of the songs on here. “Down Time” is a gentle song which has One Way circa 1984 stamped all over it. The production is sensibly sympathetic to Ricardo's smoother, more laid back vocals and the acoustic guitar and bass reflect this perfectly. Running at almost 8 minutes this is one hell of a track. Usually I get bored with longer tracks of this nature, but J has enough savvy to craftily keep the gentle backing constantly changing and re-emphasising the theme of the song. The funky guitar / organ opening along with Ricardo's sagely monologue take us back to an era gone by, forgotten by today's companies, and the rattly, percussive “Hold Tight” is a real joy to the ears. I particularly love the wavering synth in the background. This track is ambitious in that if handled by a less professional team would be disjointed and unmelodious. Far from it here! A more straightforward rhythm accompanies the excellent “I'm Lost”, and the acoustic guitar atop the synth adds extra appeal. A track I cannot stop playing is the superbly 80s orientated “Livin' Without You”. The keyboards here are straight out of the Cliff Dawson / Chuck Cissel early 80s period and I LOVE IT! The backing rhythm is more genteel new jack swing if anything can be called so much and Ricardo almost whispers reverentially through the song. It is absolutely superb, and the wistful manner that is adopted is perfect for the man's voice. I am a person who likes to 'feel' music, and the synth they use so splendidly on here hits me right in the solar plexus. Excellent! Fans of 80s indie material such as Randall Germaine etc will jump at the sheer retro flavoured “You've Always Been The Only One”. Again, the backing vocals have that Chance Records sort of appeal, and both of these appeal to me. OK, these independent releases don't have the financial muscle of the big boys, but give me a small company on a smaller budget who have love and sincerity any old day! “I Don't Know” is my final pick, and is more up to date with its jostling beats and -again- haunting understated synths. This album comes recommended and can be found on CD Baby. Go along and take a listen, you will not be disappointed, especially by the above choices! - Barry Towler