REESE

Reese - Eclectic Soul
Exile Records
By: Ben Ohmart (Assistant Editor, MusicDish) 2001-03-22

Artist: Reese
Title: Eclectic Soul
Label: Exile Records (www.exilerecords.com)
Genre: Rock

Reese's a peanut butter cup, combining several flavors at once. He is determined to prove that music has no color. This young Richie Havens can be as white as a frontman rocker for Dave Matthews, or he can import Prince funk confidence at a moment's notice.

‘Country Road' is as rockin' as acoustic guitar can get, while 'I've Been Walkin' Long Time' puts lie to my previous stereo generalization. For this slower tempo song, Reese digs out his soul voice against the rock guitars, 60s flute and carefree drum rhythm. Reese will hold on to the notes till he's Sure he's wrung every ounce of realization from their skins.

The first single set to go though is what sparks the album into life, 'Love To Spare', a great vocal treat, with Reese playing lead and backing voices, contradicting flows like a gathering wind storm. The man in front is raging against the elements - got love to spare, girl - while the sounds in the back howl on to say 'you've no choice in the matter'. He's got love to spare, and guitars as well. And vocals, high on themselves, enfolding and overlapping at every opportunity.

Reese isn't a brand new face, thousands of fans have bought his tapes and cds at live shows, and he's no stranger to BET, which even had him write and sing the theme to their Heart and Soul program. Reese's secret is an ability to blend styles in such a way that he touches on them all, making them all his own. He's the ultimate crossover machine.

For instance, if you're seeking out the darkest of the blues, 'It's a Man's, Man's Man's World' takes you right into the soul-infested,war-sound-effected arena that Reese also owns the rights to. Whatever music doesn't get shown on this cd, he's got no interest in.

A bright, energetic, and yes, highly eclectic album that still stays focused on mainstream politics. Talented man.
- Ben Ohmart

Reese
Label: Exile Records
Eclectic Soul
Artist Website


Reese is a rare breed of artist who creates music with a lot of emotion and feeling. His style is a cross somewhere between Lenny Kravitz and Seal. The music has a great blend of several styles that range from all over the genre scale. Using everything from word music to rock, Reese delivers his infectious grooves and heartfelt melodies with a very colorful flavoring. I truly enjoyed the tasteful combination of rock and R&B styles, not to mention the many other styles that where incorporated in this album. Though
all of the music on the album is well worth mentioning, there's one that stands out like a shinny coin in murky water. 'Annie' has to be one of the most haunting and real songs that I think I have ever heard. This song is pure gold, pure brilliance, and pure genius. Definitely one that you have got to hear. This song touched me in a way that I can't explain. Simply amazing. Reese is definitely an artists who pours a lot of truth and soul into the music he creates.
- Michael Allison - THEGLOBALMUSE.COM
- Michael Allison

Africana.com

First up is New York-based singer/songwriter, Reese. His debut CD, Eclectic Soul, will most likely be the best thing you'll hear all year (with one exception -- see below for
details). Eclectic Soul is a masterful blend of R&B and rock, sprinkled with a little folk and gospel, to sublime results. And did I mention that he could sing? Well, listen up:
Reese sings like his life depends on it; his voice is one part Al Green, and two parts Seal. Even with inevitable comparisons pending, Reese is very much an original talent. His first single, "Love to Spare" is currently burning up the airwaves, and there's plenty more in store. He takes on James Brown's "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World," and successfully couches the classic in a blue sy style worthy of the original. Other notable cuts include "Sista," "All Gonna Die Now" and the anthem "Some Won't Have Tomorrow." Don't wait till you hear it somewhere else. Go get Eclectic Soul. You'd be cheating yourself if you missed this outstanding debut. For more information on, check out Exile Record's website: www.exilerecords.com.
- Steven G. Fullwood

“The time has come to bring the New Fire!”

Reese the artist is an innovative and powerful vocalist whose thought provoking and energetic lyrics provide a very welcome and refreshing change of pace in today’s music scene (in contrast to the formulaic and predictable music that’s currently being played on commercial radio). Reese the band is an extremely vocal talented quartet of all-star musicians who effortlessly combine rock, funk, hip-hop and reggae grooves into a vibrant and exciting new fusion of music. In addition to Reese’s powerhouse s, drummer C-Will (an amazingly talented artist whose current solo release is in heavy radio rotation nationwide), guitarist Mike Barnes (secret weapon of choice for heavy metal funk bassist T.M. Stevens’ band Shocka Zoolo) and bassist ShynDigg (groove master supreme and leader of the critically acclaimed NY band Digg Deep) make for a quartet of musicians that can handle ANY style of music with ease.

Based on the recordings I’ve heard and the live performances I’ve viewed, it is my strong belief that Reese’s unique sound will most definitely take the music industry and music listeners by storm when the upcoming recording “New Fire…Pain B4 Pleasure” is released later this year. Reese most recently proved this point during live performances at Crash Mansion in NYC and Club Dream in Cincinnati, Ohio (as a featured performer in the Midpoint Music Festival). Simply put, Reese (the vocalist and the band) rocked the foundation off of both venues! The combination of Reese’s impassioned vocals, C-Will’s pyrotechnic drumming, Mike Barnes’ blistering guitar leads and ShynDigg’s deep in the pocket, soulful grooves had the crowd screaming for more by the end of their set. Musically speaking, some critics have compared Reese to Living Colour and Lenny Kravitz, but I submit that Reese is in a unique category all by himself, and that the aforementioned artists had better watch their backs because Reese is seriously bringing the fire! Original compositions such as “Take You Home”, “Why You Wanna”, “Aah Aah Yeahh Yeahh” (the new get down and party anthem of the century) and an AMAZING cover of the Jimi Hendrix classic “Hey Joe” (nailed in one take in the studio) are going to make Reese a name…and a sound…that will not soon be forgotten.

Reese has been touring throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe to huge BUZZ! My advice is to check out Reese (the artist and the band) now, so you’ll have bragging rights by saying that you were there at the very beginning, because Reese is blowing up in a major way!!!

Anthony Richards
- Aural Fix Magazine