CD Review: Sharief in Burgundy: Bubby's Luv

Rock and Soul

"Sharief in Burgundy: bubby's luv" CD is an eclectric mix of rock and soul. Sharief is adamant about not being labeled as "neo" or new soul artist. Soul is soul. If Jimi Hendrix was considered soul music I will eat my hat. Hendrix is listed as one of Sharief's musical influences on his website: Sharief in Burgundy. The influence can be heard on some of "bubby's luv" tracks, such as "Paper Tiger" and "Rocket Luv High". Sharief does not credit Marvin Gaye as being a musical influence, yet the voice he gives to his slow jams has the same three ingredients that make soul singers great, the three S's: silky-smooth, sultry and sexy. Okay, that's four, but who can count when chills are running up and down your spine listening to "The Party Song"? Then he goes off in a completely different direction with both his voice and his music.

Listening to the tracks on "bubby's luv" the music sounds familiar, as if I have been listenting to them for a long time on my favorite smooth jazz radio station. That is not possible, because "bubby's luv" is Sharief's first indie label CD release. He sounds almost apologetic on the CD liner notes. He explains "Budget did not allow for final mixes, so these are the best of the take home listen to's". The feel of "bubby's luv" CD is professional, high quality recording, not "next to no budget". He need not apologize. All songs on Sharief in Burgundy "bubby's luv" were written, arranged, produced and performed by Sharief. Performed, that is, with a little help from his own session musicians and back up vocalists. Again the total sound is smooth. It also is edgy and energetic.