Featured Artist: Cassandre McKinley

CD Title: Baring the Soul The Music of Marvin Gaye

Year: 2005

Record Label: Drexi Records

Style: Jazz Vocals

Musicians: Cassandre McKinley (vocals), John Pagano (guest vocal on "Your Precious Love"), Brad Hatfield (piano and synth), Marty Ballou (acoustic and electric bass), Vinny Pagano (drums and percussion), Dino Govoni (tenor sax), Stephen Angellis (guitar), Lexi Angellis (rain stick)

Review:

Marvin Gaye fans rejoice! Cassandre McKinley fans rejoice! Now rejoice together! Cassandre McKinley’s third CD is a tribute to Marvin Gaye.  It is passionate, evocative and sensual. Baring The Soul The Music of Marvin Gaye is a subtle, sexy homage that is even more perfect when accompanied by a glass of wine, a crackling fire and your own true love or even potential true love.

McKinley spent two years to produce this collection. By her own admission, it was a time of personal struggle. The depth of feeling, the intensity and fire that burn in each song makes it clear that Baring The Soul is a deeply personal effort grounded in McKinley’s solid musical talent and skill. Dino Govoni on tenor sax plays a beautiful duet with McKinley in “I Want You.” Their voices trade back and forth in a mellow love fest, while on “Pride And Joy” their zest and joy dance out from the music. Brad Hatfield’s piano on “Trouble Man” fills the space underneath the vocals with as much heart as a chorus of backup singers while maintaining a gorgeous balance that keeps a sultry urban-night feel rolling throughout.  “Let’s Get It On” melts. Stephen Angellis’s stunning guitar work, coupled with McKinley’s sultry vocals, is winning. You might want to kick your shoes off, because several of the cuts are going to make you want to dance.

This indie label album will be a delightful addition to your collection. And hearing it will make you want to follow the career of this talented young singer. You’ll be glad to know that she’s cut two addition CDs.

Tracks: Trouble Man, I Want You, Til Tomorrow, I Wish It Would Rain, Let's Get It On, Pride And Joy, Your Precious Love, I Won't Cry Anymore, After The Dance, If This World Were Mine

Artist's Website: http://cassandremckinley.com/news.html

Listen or Buy: http://cdbaby.com/cd/cassandre3

Reviewed by: Pam Guthrie

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