Robertson

Peut être le connaissez-vous derrière le pseudo Bullfrog, en duo avec le sale gosse Kid Koala. Peut être que vous ne le connaissez pas du tout. A vrai dire on s'en fout puisqu'on tient là un bien bel album de soul! Pendant que le DJ fou scratchait des notes de trompettes et s'installait douillettement chez Ninja Tune, Robertson composait tranquillement dans son coin ce disque automnal qui réchauffe les entrailles. Chanteur du Funk Montréalais, Mark Robertson s'est retrouvé en solo en tête d'affiche du Montréal Jazz Festival, puis plusieurs fois en première partie de Yael Naïm, à qui il a certainement volé la vedette. Première écoute, rien ne paraît casser des briques, mais un certain potentiel masqué laisse échapper un peu de fumée par les trous, celui de se démarquer d'un même artiste avec une configuration similaire, voix, guitare, basse, batterie.

Ce truc en plus, c'est d'abord une voix rassurante qui fait danser des paroles amoureuses, puis des instrumentations sans chichi, une simplicité dans les mélodies qui va permettre d'accrocher dès les premières notes. Les lointaines influences reggae de 20 yrs donnent envie de faire un câlin à la personne à côté de vous. Robertson sait qu'une guitare peut faire de belles choses lorsqu'on parle de blues, de soul ou de folk, la preuve avec Bounce, qui rappelle la joie communciative de Mocky, les airs bossa-nova qui s'emparent de Heaven ou le funk docile de Inside qui se la pète gentiment. D'accord, le morceau-titre n'est pas transcendant, mais peu de chansons suivent ce schéma qui manque un peu d'imagination, ce qui nous laisse l'occasion de nous délecter sur la plupart de ces 11 titres, comme Deeper Shade Of Green, pas très loin de fusionner avec Jamie Lidell, ou Beautiful, sur lequel il déroule sa voix du jeune insolent qui ne va pas tarder à faire tomber toutes les filles à ses pieds comme des feuilles mortes... - www.theclubbing.com Ecrit par tweek, le 27-10-2009 Genre musical: Folk, Funk, Soul Score: 8/10

Robertson
Favorite People
By Matt Bauer

If there's one way that Mark Robertson's second album could be best enjoyed it's under the covers with a special someone on a cold winter's night. Best known as the front-man for Montreal's Bullfrog, Favorite People sees him crafting some truly sensual and authentic baby-making music in the tradition of D'Angelo, Leon Ware and Lewis Taylor. There are contributions from the likes of Kid Koala, Slim Williams and Guttierrez, which create a languid, romantic vibe and also help frame Robertson's rich, earnest falsetto on joints like "Beautiful," "Inside" and "Heaven." The album is most effective when Robertson gets into the light funk grooves of "Bounce" and "Smile," which sound simultaneously playful and seductive, especially the former, which features a fat bass line and some particularly tasty keyboard work from Williams. There could have been a touch more funk and grit, since the production, at times, seems too polished and lacks a bit of urgency. That's a minor quibble, however, since Favorite People is destined to be the soundtrack to more than a few nights of passion. (Music by Bullfrog)

- Exclaim

Robertson
Favorite People (independent)
Montreal’s Mark Robertson may be best known for his key involvement in local bands Public Enema and Bullfrog, but this seasoned songwriter and musician makes honest soul music that sounds like D’Angelo, Shuggie Otis and Steve Miller stuck in a elevator. True to its title, the album combines the rich and relaxed vocal outpourings of this family man with some of his favourite people, like Kid Koala, Slim Williams, Joanna Peters, Massimo Sansalone, Peter Santiago and Gutierrez, for some baby-making music at its best. Listeners will be happy to know that this pop-funk-soul gem is available free for download at www.robertsonmark.com, a selfless gesture that goes hand in hand with the quality grooves found on this 11-song sure-shot. Robertson is easily one of Montreal’s best kept secrets. 8.5/10 (Scott C) - Scott C

International Jazz Fest 2008
Tuesday, July 1st, 2008

Robertson / Theatre Maisoneuve / Place des Arts

PRESS: T’Cha Dunlevy, Gazette Music Critic
SOURCE: www.montrealgazette.com/jazzfest2008

Robertson, Favorite People (Independent)

Like a sort of fifth Beatle, Mark Robertson has looked on as his old Bullfrog bandmates Kid Koala and Dessy DiLauro graduated to fame and fortune – the former as a world-class DJ and the latter as a singer for Cirque du Soleil.

But Robertson has never stopped making music. In fact, he has gotten better at it. While Bullfrog’s acid-jazz-style funk was always a party, this solo disc (featuring many of his old bandmates, including Kid Koala dropping subtle scratches throughout) has a wonderfully laid-back blue-eyed soul vibe that oozes nothing-to-prove maturity. No tricks or schtick, just sweet tunes sung with feeling by a guy with heart.

If you don’t believe me, download it for free at www.robertsonmark.com.

Robertson opens for Yael Naim and David Donatien tonight at 9:30 at Théâtre Maisonneuve of Place des Arts. Tickets cost $27.50 to $32.50. Call 514-842-2112. - PRESS: T’Cha Dunlevy, Gazette Music Critic