Rachel Brown
Jazziz Lounge
August 15, 2007
Better Than: Listening to pillow-talk R&B on the radio
Last Wednesday night, sultry singer, Rachel Brown showcased her long awaited debut CD, Love, Life & Relationships at Jazziz Lounge in front of a packed audience of fans and industry-types. The locally based R&B singer took the stage around 9:30 p.m. and ripped into the songs on her new album with high energy and a strong stage presence.
If you think you've heard the name before, yes, it's the same Rachel Brown whose hit single, "Let's Fall in Love Again," has been getting spins contemporary R&B stations around the country. The song is a smooth, lover's rock jam and Brown sounded good on stage singing it live but thankfully, it's not the only good song from her album.
The backing band she had accompanying her on stage played well and whoever the lead guitarist was can play his ass off. A funny moment came during an intermission when host, Ken James of Hot 105, said the balding guitarist looked like he had a yamaka on his head due to his receding hairline. It was a cruel but funny joke that even the guitarist couldn't help but laugh at.
Brown kept her high energy going throughout the night, and kept changing her wardrobe every few songs to keep the diva factor in full effect. She even had hired steppers on the dance floor that stepped in unison during the first part of her set. It was a nice touch to an evening that seemed to go off without a hitch. Brown seems like she's set to be a a major player in the contemporary R&B scene locally, and nationally, and if the upstart record label that's backing her, Urban Music Group, can secure good distribution, Love, Life & Relationships should help her achieve that without a problem. --Jonathan Cunningham
Critics Notebook:
Personal Bias: The crowd never got up and "stepped" despite having steppers on the floor trying to lead the way. It's okay if people felt intimidated, or something, but a concert where nobody gets up and dances is a bad sign. Loosen up people.
Random Detail: The funniest moment comes in the middle of Brown's song "Just a Girl" where she sings, "Sister sister, you need to check in on ya home/ you think you got it going on, but you're wrong, your man is sleeping with Jerome." It's all about brothers on the DL but it comes out of nowhere if you weren't paying attention earlier.
By The Way: This is the first release for Urban Music Group, a new record label based in Broward County that fans of urban music will get to know well over the next few years.
