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Teri Thornton
I'll Be Easy to Find
By Steven G. Fullwood
From the soft, billowy horns that introduce "Somewhere in the Night" on
Teri Thornton's latest album "I'll Be Easy to Find," you are instantly
transported to a smoky jazz café. Thornton's beautiful voice makes you feel what she
sings. Her album boasts a nice combination of standards and originals--some penned by the
lady herself.
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Short Cuts
Urban Folklore Review
Urban Folklore Profile
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To Buy
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The first cut, "Somewhere in the Night" is appropriate to open
this collection. Thornton was best known for her rendition of this standard as the theme
song for "Naked City," a television show which aired in the sixties. Soon after,
the Detroit native reportedly left show business. Thornton resurfaced in the 1980s,
accompanying herself while performing in New York jazz clubs. After winning the
prestigious Theloneous Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, she was signed to Verve
Records and released "I'll Be Easy to Find," her first album in nearly 35 years.
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And what a treat it is. "I'll Be Easy to Find"
is a very dense collection of fine jazz. Although there's no filler here, "Knee Deep
in the Blues," "Feels Good," "It Ain't Necessarily So," and the
title track are noteworthy. "Salty Mama," the closing track, is the live
recording performed at the aforementioned competition. But perhaps most endearing is her
luscious rendition of "The Lord's Prayer" (yes, THE Lord's Prayer.) The lady put
her foot in it.
Although Thornton passed away recently, she leaves behind a wonderful legacy with
"I'll Be Easy to Find." Make sure you go out and get it.
M
May 2000
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Urban Folklore
Urban Folklore
By Steven G. Fullwood
As a child from the old school, I recall a time when music was more about
energetic rhythms and lyrics that were intelligent, positive and uplifting, rather than
the soulless booty-shake nonsense polluting the airwaves today. Thankfully, there are
always exceptions, one being the music of the exceptional Urban Folklore.
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This duo (singer/songwriters Nzinga and Manchild) defies
categorization. Their self-titled EP is a potpourri of musical flavors that entice the ear
and move the feet. The first cut "Modern Day Slavery" takes its cue from Marvin
Gaye's "Makes Me Wanna Holler," and encourages listeners to free themselves from
the day-to-day shackles that oppress their personhood. The song's chorus, "there's
got to be a better way in this here life I'm living" showcases the duo's excellent
harmonies. I really feel "Nzinga's Groove," a jazz-flavored tune whose title
says it all. Nzinga's sultry vocals have a purity and simplicity suitable for gospel or
jazz, and that flexibility allows her to move comfortably from song to song, consistently
complimented by Manchild's rich tenor.
Other cuts, "I Hate 2 Luv U" and "The New Song" only make it clearer
that Urban Folklore is here to stay. Where "I Hate 2 Luv U" uses a little rock
guitar to bring its title's point home, "The New Song" serves us sweet wah-wah
guitars and lyrics that speak about the wealth in loving self. While the EP may be short
(just five songs), the beauty of good music isn't length it's quality. Get Urban
Folklore-and savor it.
M
May 2000
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