Soul Dean

Rounding off the night's historical context was a multimedia tribute to activists like Toni Morrison, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King as well as a live performance by Pittsburgh-based performer Soul Dean. The 21-year old singer/songwriter/producer energized the audience with powerful vocal ranges and a noticeable passion for soul music.
- © 2006 Washington Square News

In ancient times, men once used music to cure the ills of the world. Shamans, men closets to God, combined their mystical powers with rhythms, tones and chants to create a connectedness between God and His people-music was their only tool.
Souldean (nee Gordon Agie Jr.) hits the soul scene with the same passion and connectedness once embodied by ancient shamans. Tweny-three year-old singer/songwriter/producer recognizes the power of music, not only as an art form, but as a source of healing. Souldean fuses elements of his own musical journey with his experience of growing up in the church, both which lead him to evlove as an artist.

Original compositions, like "Higher" Feat: M1 of Dead Prez and "Heaven's Love" seize the audience's souls and transport them to another space. Souldean's musical talent, coupled with his stage presence, leaves the audience beckoning for more.
When you've been stirred, moved and elevated...you've experienced Souldean.

You can find all of Souldean's music at CIPHERSOUL.NET
- YRB Magazine June 2005

The Revolutionary
Soul Dean, 24 Pittsburgh, PA
Cipher Soul Revival
Belting out raw hymns painted with a color of influence from a rich Baptist upbringing, Soul Dean truly delivers his music with a message.
The Sound:
"I am revolutionary soul. I represent the Curtis Mayfields, the Gil Scott Herons, the Paul Robesons, but updated today. There aren't a lot of soul artists out that are doing that anymore. I'm bringing love back into the community"
On his ideal consumer: "Of course, I'm directed towards people of color, of that African Diaspora, but I'm trying to speak to people's souls and imaginations and give them innovation. Whoever fits that description, well then these songs are for you." - Trace Magazine May 2006

Soul Dean is a 24 years old independent soul artist that brings a very well crafted album.Heaven’s Love with its harmonies reminds me a young John Legend, not that he’s old now but his sound changed a litlle bit from his beginnings (check his Live at The Sob’s for example). Anyway, I’m not here to talk about him!It’s not a long album and I’m not a fan of his interludes but how can I forget songs like Higher or Long As I Got It. Well, you have to check him out, he’s awesome.Myspace : http://myspace.com/ciphersoulWebsite : http://www.ciphersoul.net - Posted on April 6, 2008 - by Kassius Gardelino.Com

Soul Dean is a Pittsburgh based artist, whose 'collaborated with' section of his portfolio, is highly impressive. A Gospel based, ex-military man, Soul Dean is a singer and songwriter who has worked with Kindred and the Family Soul, Raheem DeVaughn, Lyfe Jennings, Eric Roberson and Floetry to name but a few. A week or so ago, I received a nice e-mail from one of Soul Dean's colleague's, a nice woman called Penda, who asked me if I would be interested in hearing this new album. 'Cipher Soul Revival' (don't ask me, I have no idea what one is! LOL) arrived towards the end of last week, whilst I was completely absorbed by the biography of Tammi Terrell in that section at the site, which meant I have only just got round to giving this album my full and undivided dementia! LOL. Parts of the set are dialogue based, and amount to fillers in many ways, although they do serve to 'knit' the music together. Firstly, Penda pointed me towards two tracks which are receiving some airplay Stateside, one of which is the prime track on the set. 'Brand New Day' really does pasteurise and homogenise the Delfonics 'La La Means I Love You' very cleverly. I liked this track a great deal. The follow on track number 6 (track 5 is a radio intro), 'Long As I got It', isn't half bad either. Moving the set out of a two track territory, 'Sunshine' was a very old school sounding vehicle. Loosely harmonised and very competently delivered. My final pick comes in the form of a ballad entitled 'Love Will Conquer'. In a strange way, this album had me thinking to myself, 'If Sly Stone was still putting out product in 2009, it might sound a little along these lines (or should I say 'grooves')'. Very interesting album, well worth seeking out. Love Dean's suit on the sleeve! Now where did I put my old Sly records?......

- Toby Walker/www.soulwalking.co.uk

Don't know too much about Soul Dean, nor am I too sure about what cipher soul is or why, indeed, it needs reviving. What I do know though is that this little 15 tracker is an intriguing, real modern soul set that's well worth investigating if you want to get away from the formulaic and the predictable. The album, I think, is meant to be a concept piece since the music's divided by intros, outros, radio links and spoken word pieces – most telling of which comes from the Last Poets' Abiodun who makes some provocative comments about the relationship between hip hop and poetry. As enjoyable is the opener 'Cipher Soul Revive Us'. It doesn't make me understand the concept any better but it has a lovely feel to it that's reminiscent of those Ibiza chill-out tracks. And the music? Well there's some heavy stuff on here – heavy both musically and lyrically but amongst the deeper stuff there are three excellent, accessible soul cuts that demand a listen. First up there's the sparse, crisp, funky foot-tapper, 'Higher' … one for the dance floors. Then there's the annoying 'Long As I Got'. Annoying, 'cos it will remind you of so much classic soul - from Sam Cooke through to Maxwell – though you'll be hard pushed to pin it right down. Last of the three is the LP's best tune – 'Brand New Day'. It's a very sweet, rolling affair that – in places - sounds like George Clinton playing around with the Delfonics' La La La Means I Love You'. Indeed there is a Clintonian presence to the whole collection – though there's a little more overall coherence. Maybe the best musical comparison I could make would be to suggest that Soul Dean and his crew sound like Sly Stone collaborating with Prince – but only after both had readjusted their social consciences.
(BB) 3/5


- Bill Buckley/www.soulandjazzandfunk.com