Anthony David

Soul ain’t dead — it just prefers to chillax and hold up the wall while the young’uns get their crunk on. Every once and a while, it tries to step on the floor to show the kids how it’s done. Enter Anthony David: the raspy-throated, ATL-based soulster who cites Bill Withers and Anita Baker as role models and has released his sophomore project, The Red Clay Chronicles, an album steeped in acoustic-based soul music. Opening single "Stop Playin’” walks that line between underground groove and crossover hit. Tracks like "Smoke One” and "On & On” are sweet stuff, and "Words” (featuring follow acoustic soulster India.Arie) ain’t half bad either. But The Red Clay Chronicles features some less than extraordinary tracks ("Sho Nuff,” "Better Than”), which ultimately leaves the impression that as an artist, David is still finding his voice. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it does make for an uneven album. Even so, Anthony David is an artist to look out for and check out.