Dre' Pauls

Dre' Pauls began his musical adventure in the mid '80s as a member of a hip-hop group, before gradually becoming more involved in DJ and production work. As the title 'Moody Grooves' suggests, his latest recording takes in a fine body of work fit for both the lounge and the dancefloor. 'Love Play' starts things off in a soulful, funky style but its dreamlike ambience conjures up images of beautiful vistas. There are two points which soon become noticeable about this album: the first is the obsession with emotions in the song titles and the second is the warmth of the instrumentals within. 'Urban Passion' compares to Ultramarine's ambient folk and - just like 'Enthusiasm' - seems optimistic on the surface but underneath there's a faraway melancholy. Dre' Pauls isn't the kind of artist to turn the music world upside down but his old school house leanings form the foundations to the much heralded Junior Boys' sound. - www.leonardslair.co.uk/drepauls.htm

Style: Ambient Jazz

Musicians: Dre’ Pauls (All mixing)

Review: Dre’ Pauls is a DJ from Chicago. He has been perfecting his skills since the beginning of his career as a DJ in 1985 during the Chicago House Music scene. Dre’ was once a member of the hip hop/rap group called East of the Rock. Although Dre’ Pauls does not play any instruments, he is a true artist that effortlessly fuses different elements together jazz, funk, blues, soul, rock and classical music. His biggest influences have come from the jazz and disco genres “because of their versatility,” as stated in the press release. Dre’ has produced material for such artists as The Positive Senda, The Mad Thinker, Trace the M.C., Infer Black, April Smith, Somethan Smooth and Poet, and Continuous Faith.
Dre’s latest project is entitled Moody Grooves. The album commences with “Love Play,” a very smooth and up-tempo track. The blend of piano and electric guitar creates an impressive melody. “Sentimental Harmony” and “Enthusiasm” are utterly atypical tracks borrowing melodies from both the hip hop and classical genres. “Urban Passion” is soothing yet funky the drums create a rhythmic piece of music. “Emotional-Lust” is the spot on up-tempo song to play at a social gathering. “Cupid”, “Affectionate Feeling”, “Infatuation” and “Desire” showcase forceful guitar riffs and fervent drums. The album comes to an end with the energetically charged “Equally Yoked” and “Eroticism.” This album will prove to be a welcome addition to your collection. Play this when you want to entertain or simply relax at home.

Tracks: Love Play, Sentimental Harmony, Enthusiasm, Urban Passion, Emotional-Lust, Cupid, Affectionate Feeling, Infatuation, Desire, Equally Yoked, Eroticism

Reviewed by: Katrina-Kasey Wheeler

- JazzReview.com

“I've always wanted to create music but didn't have the patience to learn to play an instrument, so I quickly learned the art of fusing together elements of Jazz, Funk, Blues, Soul, Rock, Classical and World Music to create a distinctive sound.” -Andre “Dre” Pauls

Creative, innovative, artistic words that come to mind while listening to the independently released, Moody Grooves; an eleven track compilation of spectacular, relaxing, ambient, instrumental grooves. Track titles such as love play, sentimental harmony, enthusiasm, emotional lust and desire are immediate attention grabbing arrangements making the replay button on the compact disc player your personal friend.

Much of the inspiration for the tracks comes from experiences in Andre's life; how he feels at a certain time or things going on around him and affecting him such as a first love, making love, and ultimately losing that love.

Andre Pauls, who is from ChiCity, has been around music for most of his life. He started off as a house DJ in the mid eighties and was part of a rap group called east of the rock. He has also produced music for several underground artists in the ChiCity area. To get more information on Andre Pauls, listen to CD tracks and purchase the CD go to the following websites:

http://drepauls.com/

http://cdbaby.com/cd/drepauls

by Linnette Chew
- InChiCity.com