Larry Gold
Presents Don Cello & Friends
BBE/Rapster
As a native Pittsburgher, this pains me to say, but nothing beats what’s going on in Philly right now, music-wise. The Roots, Jill Scott, Ursula Rucker, King Britt, Jazzy Jeff, Dwele, Jaguar Wright, Vikter Duplaix, Oba Funke, Bahamadia, Floetry. I’m sure I’m forgetting somebody. But the future of urban music is happening in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Larry Gold was part of Philly’s last heyday, having been a cellist for the legendary Gamble and Huff sound that brought us the O’Jays, Ray, Goodman and Brown, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes and disco. But also being a part of the Roots crew, he’s firmly among the firmament of Philly’s current and future stars, and this album gives us a glimpse of where that future is heading.
Don Cello is a wonderful soul album filled with some of the best the Cheesesteak City has to offer. There is absolutely no way you can walk away disappointed from this album. While Black Thought’s teaming-up with McFadden and Whitehead for “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” is a little flat, everything else will delight and/or amaze. Gerald Levert appears for a fun disco cut, “Dance.” Cristal on “Everybody” is infectious, and Nanda’s “Feel So Good” is a pleasurable lollipop love song. Carol Riddick, Floetry, Kameelah and Erro are all names you may not know, but their appearances here will make you take notice. There are also two amazing ballads: Bunny Sigler’s “Can I” will have any Maxwell fan drooling and Kindred’s “All That You Are” is simply unforgettable. The star on this album, however, has got to be Jaguar Wright. Her performance on “Nothing” is simply spectacular. The hook will have you singing in the shower, and the beat will make you dance in the streets.
BBE: http://www.bbemusic.com/ • Rapster: http://www.rapsterrecords.com/
