Daniel Moore

Daniel Moore’s Thinking Out Loud is a wholly refreshing and remarkable album. Refreshing to find an album whose title gives such an accurate idea of it’s contents. Remarkable to find such a bold collection of songs on a debut album. But then again, Moore is anything but a new comer to the music industry. Just ask Jill Scott, Michael McDonald, TLC, Cee-Lo or one of the countless other artists he has either shared the stage with or penned original songs for.

In the course of 40-something minutes of deep-soul grooves, lush harmonies, booming horn arrangements and hip-hop influenced production, Thinking Out Loud manages to cover a remarkable amount of territory. This album is a novel; an emotional rollercoaster full of ups and downs, inspirational anthems and heartfelt pleas. From the confessional “Halfway Love”, which one could be convinced was a lost Donny Hathaway track, to the classic balladry of “Growing Pains”, with a melody that lofts atop waves of orchestral strings, woodwinds and horns before dipping into a valley of funk that wouldn’t sound out of place on Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, Thinking Out Loud echoes the classic while pushing feverishly forward. Covering difficult and non-traditional subject matter in song is a clear strength for Moore who easily stands along side such contemporaries as John Legend, Glen Lewis and Dwele in this regard.

Thinking Out Loud will undoubtedly capture listeners with it’s intimate and relatable stories on tracks like “Say Something” which boasts the line “I can take rejection but I can’t take this silence” and “More”, a conversation with a female friend in an abusive relationship. Both tracks balance substance and a retro feel with strong hooks and remarkable radio friendly listen-ability.

One track in particular, “She Can’t Love You” is sure to stir-up controversy with it’s chronicle of an ex-girlfriend “changing teams”. However listeners feel about Moore’s stance on this course of events, the tune’s pulsing groove and hooky chorus are sure to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

There is inspirational underpinning of the record that raises it’s head most prominently on “Imagine” a song written about the world he envisions for his son and “Better” a stirring and powerful outing about the future of our country. The later could have easily been a hit single for artists like Beyonce or Ne-Yo it is truly a timeless piece.

On “Don’t Give A”, a real standout track that will blow audiences away live, Moore calls out the music industry for trying to fit artists into a box. The albums inspirational tone reverberates in the line “I was given a gift and I’m gonna use it” and is punctuated with horn blasts and swells that reflect Moore’s training under jazz legend Jackie Mclean. The song builds to a thrashing climax, literally invoking the name and spirit of go-go godfather Chuck Brown. In the end, Moore challenges his industry opposition “I see ya bobbin’ your head. But if it’s not to your liking then that’s fine. I don’t give a …”

Daniel Moore’s Thinking Out Loud is contemporary r&b/pop/soul at it’s best, incorporating influences from all over the map into what Otis Redding might call a genuine “soul stew”. If radio wakes up to artists like Daniel Moore, it just might be able to stick around for a while. As for Daniel Moore, I ain’t worried and I can’t wait to hear what’s next.

By: J. Hayes -New American Music Examiner
Examiner.com
- Examiner.com

I believe in good music, I believe that people still want to hear it- Daniel Moore

With classic tunes that stay in your head for days, and a face made for magazine covers, Daniel Moore is well on his way to becoming a household name. He describes himself as an arranger, singer, songwriter, musician, and an overall artist. With lyrics that flow effortlessly, and performances that stir the soul, this nationally acclaimed artist has graced venues from New York to Los Angeles and is on his way to a stage near you.

With an air of sophistication that fits him to a tee, Daniel is dressed in stylish casual attire and armed with a smile that all the ladies will soon recognize. He speaks with a coolness and eloquence one would expect of a seasoned artist. Despite the fact that he is approaching the release of his debut solo album, he's no stranger to the music industry. Daniel, who is most recently known for being the vocal arranger and background singer for BET’s “Sunday’s Best,” is also music director for the renowned Jennifer Holiday.
Just as great legends before him such as Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Bob Marley, and even John Lennon, Daniel has found the pulse of the people. His messages are universal, and his goal is to entertain you while making you think. In his own words Daniel states, “I try to come up with concepts that haven’t been addressed, or haven’t been said in the way it needs to be said. I like to sing about real issues that people either ignore or shy away from.” His mission is clear with songs like “More” where he encourages women to stand up for themselves and have inner confidence, and “Halfway Love” where he honestly admits that when his relationship gets frustrating he’s tempted to have his cake while eating it too. Perhaps his most controversial song is “She Can’t Love You,” where he speaks on the unspoken epidemic of women turning to other women after being scorned by a man.

As Daniel takes the stage to showcase selections from his new alum “Thinking Out Loud” there is no mistaking he knows how to have a good time and he invites others to do the same. His silky smooth voice pulls you into his world before you know it. Although he sings memorizing soul riffs and has killer piano solos, his stage performance is more in the style of a rocker than an adult cotemporary artist. Daniel’s dynamic show coupled with his engaging content is reminiscent of old Stevie with a touch of Earth Wind and Fire. His energy spreads through the crowd and they begin to soak it all in and sing along to his memorable hooks. The audience is diverse and to their pleasure Daniel’s infectious brand of pop/soul leaves no one behind. Crossing lines of race, age and gender, Daniel has a demeanor that men respect, charm than women adore, and a compelling talent that no one can deny. Ladies and Gentlemen I present to you... Daniel Moore.
- KPJ Entertainment