THIS IS THE HANGOUT FOR A MAN WHO IS TRULY A PIONEER FOR THE BLACK MUSIC INDUSTRY.The MAN HAS BECOME AN ADVOCATE FOR THE ARTIST, WRITERS, PRODUCERS & EVEN LABELS & PROMOTERS WHO PLAY BY THE RULES.YOU CAN CONTACT THE E MAN AT enorman57@yahoo.com TONI GREENE: Memphis needs to take notice of this native daughter. FOR those of you that think soul music is something extinct, how wrong you are , because as you sleep soul music is still awake and very much alive. One of the Artist you may be sleeping on is Toni Green, the Essence of Soul. At 17 yrs old Toni toured with Hot Buttered Soul with the great Issac Hayes and then with the wonderful Luther Ingram. Opportunities like that on your resume normally would have you in high demand, but who can decipher the politics of the music world. Over the last few years Toni Green has put several Cd's that all deserve to be heard from Mixed Emotions to the latest More Love, i for one have not heard a sour note nor a bad song. In my not so humble opinion Toni Green is equal to the task of living up, and adding to the legacy of Soul Music no matter what label we put on it now. Her stage presence is ferocious and feminine, a crowd pleaser and a big teaser, was that not the stuff of Jackie Wilson and so many other performers who knew live performance is where people truly remember you? The title of her latest CD is ironic since the biz-ness of Music is showing the sister no love. Toni though, shows she still has more love for her fan base with this strong selection of soul serenades and bluesy ballads. From the title More Love to Angel Toni sings her ass off, but it seems almost like she is speaking in some urgent manner to express her love & life lessons, in order to tell us how serious all this life can be. Do me a favor and check out the song "Best Woman" great example of telling somebody they have lost you and they will never find another like you. Free (not Denise Williams song) is my favorite vocal on this CD and is so good they bless us with Free pt 2. Let me just say right now Toni Green is my constant companion...in my CD player, so check out all her music, and put her in your CD player too. For then you will be showing Toni Green, More Love, just like she deserves, after-all she is the Essence of Soul.. reviewed 05/25/06 By Enorman Harris enorman57@yahoo.com CARL SIMS: THE one thing you can say about Carl Sims music is that he is not "Trapped" by whatever is ailing many artist in Southern Soul. Carl's talent remains consistent and so does his performance on record. With that said there are no surprises from the Current Godfather of Southern Soul. From the tittle cut "I'm Ready" to the lead off " I need a WOman" no one handles a ballad any better. When "its hard not to look" begins you already know this is toe tapping party starting jam that will have plenty Smart radio airplay. I love the music of artist like Willie Clayton but when i want guts in my Soul it gots to be The Godfather. He could just as easy do the a song like lakeside fantastic Voyage or James Brown's Get up off that thang. Carl Sims has a smelly funk in his voice that has yet to be tapped on record to it full potential. But that does not matter he gives you enough of his soul for you to more than sassyfied with the rap and song " the Hustler" which i expected to be uptempo, but it works like those songs from the Black flicks of the 70' such as "the Mack" and "Superfly". Other great songs include Carl Sims version of " The Memories" a great song i've heard before, and "Mojo Hand". There are Other Great singers...But for sure there is only one Carl Sims. Too Bad Southern Soul could use more like him. CHARLIE BROWN: Charlie Brown must except the apology from each and everyone that overlooked this singer songwriters mind blowing debut CD "Grown Folks Party". From the in your face oppening of " let's go steady" with it's party blues booty scooting rythms to the Strongest Man, with it's Bloodstone-esque soul stirring it is easily my favorite song on the Cd. But the brother is not finished, and there is plenty for the fan of R&B, and Southern Soul. The title song Grown Folks Party is a perfect stepping song and even if you can't step you will. On the songs "Still in Love" and "Hell On my Hands" the limits of Charlies voice enable him to deliver the emotional requirements of each tune. In a room full of grown men watching baseball and drinking beer Grown Folks Party got everyone's attention. This artist's confidence and ability will grow with each and every opportunity he is granted. If this Cd is in your desk drawer or on a shelf in your office, then you have done youself an injustice. Brother Brown is doing it the right way with the live band backing him, the sound is crisp even on some songs where Charlie, himself thought that someone else might have sounded better, the band still sounds big and fresh. I think that the fact that at a young age his songwritting skills will only blossom, making him a future force in Black music. So if you play or listen to music for a living, play this mans Cd for the first time and give yourself a treat or for the second time and act like you discovered something special, because you have. You a found a shooting star, or maybe a diamond in the rough. Charlie Brown! Act like you Know!