APRIL HILL

LOVE 360

(Black Honey/Jazzy Peach Music) 2007

In the past 10 years since the commercial death of Neo-soul artists both in the commercial and independent soul scene has opted for a more sampled hip-hop sound rather than a more organic jazzy sound of a live band. April Hill breaths new life into what can be the jazzy soul sound. In her debut ‘Love 360’ April Hill has truly accomplished what many already in the scene have attempted – create a truly great album.

April Hill, a Howard University graduate came to New York and worked as a financial analyst before meeting Indie soul pioneer Marlon Saunders. Together they created what is now ‘Love 360’ a modern day musical masterpiece complete with jazzy instrumentals, funky rhythms and soulful swings. Just think back to the time when actual soul singers had breaks in a song where there were jazzy horn and/or piano solos, followed by a voice full of passion, pain and pride. Yes it is that deep and yes it is that damn good.

So let me tell you about the ‘Love 360’ experience, April Hill debut as a singer-songwriter have created a masterpiece. April even took soul classics such as Marvin Gaye’s ‘I Want You’ and Bill Wither’s ‘Hope (She’ll) He’ll be Happier and made them her own. Produced by pioneering soul singer-songwriter Marlon Saunders and masterful producer Shawn Lucas, ‘Love 360’ could not go wrong and it does not.

On the street savvy opening track “Searching” April takes the hip-hop sound back to its organic roots and kisses the rhythm with her sassy soulful vocals. April’s voice has a depth and range that gives her musical stories so much depth. April takes the listener on a journey by flipping the sound half way to ride out on a jazzy flow.

The song that will leave you spellbound, though, is the exquisite “Feelin’ You”.
April’s vocal flow is almost effortless. April has the blessed talent of being able to tell a story with every song and create an aural image with her passionate voice. “Feelin’ You” is a sweet melancholy melody, her emotional vocal range will have you thinking she is actually singing to you.

“You Got Me” is the Throw down jazzy, funky, and soulful smoky bar type jam. The vibe of this sound brings to mind that jazzy soul era that breed Roy Ayers, Donald Byrd, Lonnie Liston Smith. “You Got Me” is that tricky type of track that has lots of stuff going on in the instrumentation but like a true soul veteran April don’t fight to be heard over it instead she uses her voice to become part of it. Proving that April Hill is a talent that has what it takes to enter the soul scene on the musical level set by such Soul Scene legends such as Rahsaan Patterson, Angela Johnson, Marlon Saunders, Frank McComb and Alison Crockett.

Every track is a vocal joyride into spoken word, jazz, funk and soul. This is a must have for both soul scene novices and Hardcore ole’ soul heads. 'Love 360' is a modern day master piece.
 

www.aprilhill.com

wwwmyspace.com/aprilhillmusic1

Review by AyeJay “Da’ Muzik Hunta’” Spraggins of ArtHaus NYC

Edited by ISH of NouveauSoundz

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