With a voice like Calvin Richardson's, a new full-length album is always worth checking out. After suffering a setback last year — the singer-songwriter had lost his voice — he's back in the game and delivers this ten-track project in time for a new touring cycle.
There's a distinct old school/quiet storm feel here, one that doesn't ever feel dated, but the straight, non-ironic approach — a let-me-talk-on-the-record-about-why-men-need-to-support-their-partners-before-I-start-singing kind of soul vibe — doesn't necessarily move the genre into the future.
Not that it needs to: tracks like "Beautiful Woman," and "Love You Tonight" insert themselves seamlessly into a "sexy time" playlist, while the Donny Hathaway-esque "Ain't Nothing Like the One I've Got" is in the pocket. "Be Your Friend" is a clear standout and classic Richardson: mid-tempo grooves, classic genre chord progression and his trademark gritty-yet-smooth vocals.
If the only knock on Gold Dust is it feels too safe, one feels that Richardson will take that hit. The album sees the artist at the top of his game and the album should get a lot of play from fans of the genre.
(Shanachie)There's a distinct old school/quiet storm feel here, one that doesn't ever feel dated, but the straight, non-ironic approach — a let-me-talk-on-the-record-about-why-men-need-to-support-their-partners-before-I-start-singing kind of soul vibe — doesn't necessarily move the genre into the future.
Not that it needs to: tracks like "Beautiful Woman," and "Love You Tonight" insert themselves seamlessly into a "sexy time" playlist, while the Donny Hathaway-esque "Ain't Nothing Like the One I've Got" is in the pocket. "Be Your Friend" is a clear standout and classic Richardson: mid-tempo grooves, classic genre chord progression and his trademark gritty-yet-smooth vocals.
If the only knock on Gold Dust is it feels too safe, one feels that Richardson will take that hit. The album sees the artist at the top of his game and the album should get a lot of play from fans of the genre.
