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BLUE
COUPE
I like thinking about how Martha Redbone accidentally became a singer: it's a good story, with shadows of the old Hollywood magic (Lana Turner at the soda counter in a drugstore) happily transfered to the music business. Redbone, who had studied art and design, was doing some illustrations for George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars Mothership Reconnection project. While in Clinton's sphere, at some point someone stuck a mic in Redbone's face and, ultimately, a new career was born. From this experience, her first credit is a good one: she sings backgrounds on Clinton's 1996 album T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power of a Fully Operational Mothership). While, unlike Lana, superstardom was not the next step, Redbone's first album, Home Of The Brave, makes you think that state might not be too far behind. The album is published by Blackfeet Productions, a project that seems to be comprised entirely of Redbone and writing partner and co-producer, Aaron Whitby. What makes this fact -- this self-publication -- remarkable is Home Of The Brave's solid and entirely listenable qualities. There is nothing home made about Redbone's first album: nothing to hint that Redbone -- depicted lying languidly on the CD's cover -- and her company made Home Of The Brave pretty much with their own little hands. A part of this finished quality is certainly attributable to the musicians Redbone has chosen to work with here. Engineer Bob Brockman has worked with Christina Aguilera, Laurie Anderson, Babyface and Mary J. Blige. Another engineer, Tom Cassel, has lent his skills to Faith Evans, Bertie Higgins, Kansas and Yngwie Malmsteen. Guitarist Fred Cash has worked with Curtis Mayfield, Eric Clapton and Billy Preston to name just (an impressive) few. Partner Whitby is no slouch himself, having engineered for Natalie Cole and written songs for Shola Ama and Jasmine. I could go on, but in addition to the chanteuse, Home Of The Brave boasts a pretty celebrated roster. None of this would make much difference if Redbone weren't so obviously ready for the limelight. In a world where soul divas seem to fall performance-ready from the trees, Martha Redbone offers up a big voice (big enough to invite frequent comparisons to Aretha) and the desire to say something with it. While most of the 13 (14 if you count the bonus) tracks on Home Of The Brave are unashamedly hook laden, the music that backs it is intricate and interesting and the lyrics are intelligent and often humorous. "Boyfriend," tells the story of meeting an attractive man at a Starbucks and falling for him quickly: even after she discovers he's gay:
In "Liar" Redbone sings sweetly that:
And later, in the chorus:
Smart and strikingly tight, Home Of The Brave is original and delightful. | February 2002 Sienna Powers is a writer, editor and visual artist. |
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Home of the Brave is stylish, sophisticated and sweet. It's a superb album that is easy to listen to from beginning to end. It's kind of R'n'B but very soulful and certainly accessible in a pop market. The songs are well crafted and very catchy. Even after the first play, the hook lines on tracks like 'Say You Love Me' are firmly embedded in your mind for the rest of the day. Other tracks such as 'Vineyard' and 'Perfect Life' are uplifting and full of melody. It's a refreshingly simple and original album that is brought to life by Martha's voice, which is unique, warm and full of depth.
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| SOUL
JUNKIE.CO.UK - Album Review Most of the music that makes it's way into my collection is not going to make any impact on the pop charts. I know this, the labels know this and the artists themselves probably even know this. More often than not, the reasons for this are completely unrelated to the quality of the music and was the main factor in my decision to create this website. Every so often there are exceptions and I think this could be one of them. Martha Redbone is the name - I suggest you remember it because she could well turn out to be a household name to rank alongside Macy Gray, Kelis & Desree, IF given the right financial backing of course. Her music is vibrant, uplifting, humourous, real and most of all, genre-less. It transcends any boundaries of soul, folk, rock and funk to provide an end product that will appeal to all types and many generations. If that makes it POPular music then so be it. Personally I would recommend it to anyone. Although promoted as a solo artist, it's obvious from the sleeve credits that a duo is at work here. Alongside partner, Aaron Whitby, they take writing and production credits for every track as well as playing a selection of instruments. Martha, of course provides the vocals and guides the listener through stories of hope, heartbreak, anguish and courage. Having lived her life in the cosmopolitan cities of NYC & London she's obviously picked up a multitude of influences to draw upon for inspiration & beliefs in her songwriting & singing. Particularly pleasing is the 'live' feel of her music with the use of real instruments and refusal to bow to any one specific trend. Standouts on the album, the MTV-friendly 'Someday We'll Be Friends' drawing on the funk alongside speaker-splitting guitar heavy choruses with consumate ease. 'Say You Love Me' is an excellently composed cheery track & almost reason enough on it's own to buy the album. 'Boyfriend' and it's humourous tale of 'female lusting over gay male' scenario slots effortlessly alongside songs like 'Free', a story of breaking free of the ghetto life and another sure-fire radio friendly, MTV-happy slow jam, 'Superman'. Each track, regardless of subject, emanates a positive message through self belief & a head held high attitude. The carefully crafted songs and top notch delivery ensures this is so. Go seek it out. Listen to songs from the album |
Brooklyn In Tha Howse... New York that is... NYC... Yeah, you know... I'm stoked and stupefied that I stumble upon fellow borough resident Martha Redbone (let me know your local dates!) and her "Boyfriend" song with a lime twist. That is, the refrain lyric goes something like "He said 'I gotta boyfriend' but I kinda like girls too"...apparently the character has had eyes for a gay/bi male she met at Starbuck's! That's funny! It's also not an uncommon scenario and the lyrics here are honest and suggest a Live and Let Live spirit (despite the initial "uugh" of disgust the character utters). Even after several platonic dates, she still ponders the possibility that this cat may be her soulmate... it's actually very endearing. Anyway... the tune is a very smooth and cool groovin' midtempo shuffle vibe. Martha's mp3.com page shows her in a big ol' warm smile and that's how her voice comes across as well. She's the real deal. She says she hates genre labeling. The mp3.com page says "Boyfriend" is Urban Contemporary and this track is logged as R&B at GodsOfMusic.com I would also add the oh so-coveted "Crossover" label which means fans of soft rock, 70s Soul, 60s Motown, En Vogue in '97, Macy Gray, Smooth Jazz (101.9 FM in NYC)... blah blah. The production values incorporate organic elements (real instruments) with some subtle electronic stuff and should appeal to retro-Soul heads and today's Top40 fan alike. This is REAL Soul Music, plain and simple. Soul like Aretha Franklin circa '76, my siblings. Word. I'm so glad this track is NOT that overproduced fluff that has passed as R&B for at least a decade. Martha My Dear, your voice is sweet. It's soothing. It's also gospel gritty.It's All Day Sunday at Church full o'Soul. And the players here are top shelf as is the production. The rolling heavy eighth note rubber band bass line, the tight snare rim shots, the fuzzy acid guitar line, the electric piano chords: it's all here and it's All Good. If the whole album is half as solid as "Boyfriend", Martha may be our next torchbearer of genuine rhythm & blues Soul. Promise you'll stay true to your heart in this music, Ms. Redbone... (that is, don't sell out to Mr.Slick). Yeah... well... you KNOW.
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Savoy Magazine MARTHA REDBONE is not out to change the world, but she does care about how her music affects her audience. "I want my music to give people goose bumps," she says. Redbone's self-released debut album, Home of the Brave, offers 13 songs with an innovative blend of funk-tinged rock, R&B and pop. The genre-blending isn't purposeful she says. "I just hear it all." Redbone's not being coy. Rather, her simple answer points to a pure music-making philosophy: A good song is a marriage of purpose, artistic influence and the ability to touch people. Redbone's father, also a musician, exposed her early on to a wide array of music, including Sly and the Family Stone, Aerosmith and Prince. Art school led her to a stint as an illustrator for legendary funkster George Clinton. Redbone realized her own singing talent when she was coaxed in front of a microphone at a friend's studio. The rush she felt from singing motivated her to take voice lessons and focus on a career in music. While cultivating her soaring, impactful voice, Redbone discovered she was also a songwriter with a lot to say. Later she moved to London, where she met Aaron Whitby, her longtime writing partner and co-producer of Home of the Brave. On the path toward embracing her passion, Redbone has become the kind of artist who won't pander to trends. "You can't rather be famous than good," she says.
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| MARTHA'S BIO BY CHARLES
BLASS "Pop" as in exploding bubbles of complancency and stale rhythms... Harmonic freshness and "hooks" for days, like back in tha day, multicolored to the future..."Music is trying to change" says Martha Redbone. Upward & outward, a bright & hopeful vision of a better life and world... On record, Martha's songs are an honest mix of classic funk and soul, hip hop and rock, radio- friendly production kept real despite their destiny to reach a mass market (CD coming in February 2001), and live, she and her 6-piece band let loose - delivering heartshaking funk, massive talent and soulful inspiration. "It's a buzz, there's nothing like performing. The biggest reward is people digging your stuff...beats any drug!" A mixed-race kid, Martha grew up between the Brooklyn 'hood' and Kentucky's backwood. Having both Native American and African-American parents, she has inherited pure creative energy and rebellious Blackfoot spirit. Martha Redbone's musical roots come from her father, who sang in funk groups in the Seventies and now sings gospel. "The music stems from him". She had piano lessons growing up but pursued an art education, developing skills as a painter and illustrator. While drawing cartoons for George Clinton & the 'P-Funk All Stars' Mothership Reconnection project, Ms. Redbone just "fell into singing" - and she was never the same. Founding Ohio Player and Parliament Funkadelic backbone Walter "Junie" Morrison in particular was a mentor to Martha and her writing/producing partner Aaron Whitby. Junie "spoke in cryptic messages", says Martha. "He helped me to focus on my own vision." He taught the duo to incorporate elements of many musical styles, to avoid repetition and "bring our heads out of the retro thing". After a point it was time to spread their wings - and within weeks came publishing deal. All was not immediately rosy for Martha, but after three years of intense behind-the-scenes, she has established herself as a songwriter and producer for her own group and for some high profile associates, injecting her intelligent 'lyrics with attitude' and infectious melodies into recent songs for Shola Ama (WEA), Jazmin (Attic Records/EDEL) and new UK girl group Ladies First (Polydor-UK). "Songs are like babies - you want to show them off... Watch them grow up, you always want to show them off." - Martha Redbone Her voice has been compared to Aretha Franklin and Al Green, her songs to Prince and Funkadelic and her look to a funky Sade. Her influences include The Artist and The Funk Mob, along with Sly, Aerosmith, Guns & Roses, Nirvana and Wu Tang...Martha Redbone - everywoman....
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