Now that the genetic code of life has been broken, Frank McComb offers a glimpse of how that scientific breakthrough may affect the music world. With the musical DNA from Donny Hathaway's Fender Rhodes piano and Stevie Won... more »der's mini-Moog synthesizer, McComb's debut comes off as a romantic mutation of those famous musical genes. He's nowhere near the songwriter that they are just yet, but McComb's vocal texture is so eerily similar to those giants that his debut shouldn't qualify for what is being called "neo-soul" music. This is the real '70s thing--à la Hathaway's Extension of a Man period and Wonder's Music of My Mind. McComb obviously relishes his influences, and he benefits from the guiding production hand of his former boss in Buckshot LeFonque, Branford Marsalis. It also helps that he uses one core all-star jazz group throughout the 14-song set, including Marsalis's sax, Cameroonian Richard Bona's bass, and Russell Gunn's trumpet. The synth pieces have more spirit than the piano pieces, or, said another way, he does Stevie better than he does Donny, with "Love Natural" and "Wasting Your Time" among the best of the 12 originals that McComb displays. And he's not completely stuck in the past--"(They're Gonna Be) Looking at You" and "Listen to Your Heart" have trip-hop's drum & bass feel. --Mark Ruffin« less
Now that the genetic code of life has been broken, Frank McComb offers a glimpse of how that scientific breakthrough may affect the music world. With the musical DNA from Donny Hathaway's Fender Rhodes piano and Stevie Wonder's mini-Moog synthesizer, McComb's debut comes off as a romantic mutation of those famous musical genes. He's nowhere near the songwriter that they are just yet, but McComb's vocal texture is so eerily similar to those giants that his debut shouldn't qualify for what is being called "neo-soul" music. This is the real '70s thing--à la Hathaway's Extension of a Man period and Wonder's Music of My Mind. McComb obviously relishes his influences, and he benefits from the guiding production hand of his former boss in Buckshot LeFonque, Branford Marsalis. It also helps that he uses one core all-star jazz group throughout the 14-song set, including Marsalis's sax, Cameroonian Richard Bona's bass, and Russell Gunn's trumpet. The synth pieces have more spirit than the piano pieces, or, said another way, he does Stevie better than he does Donny, with "Love Natural" and "Wasting Your Time" among the best of the 12 originals that McComb displays. And he's not completely stuck in the past--"(They're Gonna Be) Looking at You" and "Listen to Your Heart" have trip-hop's drum & bass feel. --Mark Ruffin
CD Reviews
Love Stories
Vickie Beene Beavers | Atlanta, Ga. United States | 06/02/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have to admit I did sleep on McComb's vocals on Buckshot LeFonque but I'm awake now! This solo project is WONDERFUL! It takes me back to my childhood where I listened to love ballads that were TENDER, INVITING and SINCERE. Nothing forced or crass which unfortunately happens to be the theme for many of today's R&B. Although there will be many comparisions to Hathaway & Stevie, with contemporary guest artists such as Brandford, Ray Fuller and others Frank still has his own style-very spiritual and jazzy. McComb's music expresses love naturally--pretty much as it happens. As he says "Friendship is the main ingredient for Love Natural". I expect to be friends with Frank McComb's music for a long time. And yes ladies....he definitely ain't hard to look at.Thanks Brandford for producing Brother McComb's album and allowing us to share his music. This music reminds me of why I married my wonderful husband. He's a breath of fresh air....."
Champagne, s'il vous plait !
Torquemada | Atlanta, Georgia USA / Madrid, Spain. | 08/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am guilty for having ignored this cd too long ! What happened here is that I had heard a couple of tracks at a record store and I thought to myself "not bad, I'll have to listen to it again". And time went by until a couple of friends wrote to me saying that this album was really too much.I ordered this on Amazon, grouping it with a couple of other cds, and I am stunned ! This cd is delightful, splendid, a must have in any respectable collection... The style on this cd, well you already read it through other reviewers : Wonder, Hathaway, at times Benson, but also Ronnie Foster or Herbie Hancock (on the caressing "If this is love" and "Love natural"). But don't think he is copying anything or anyone, which is what I like : he has his style. It is excellent pop-soul (more soul than pop though), finely balanced (upbeat songs such as "Looking at you", "Wasting your time", or sensual ones such as "Gotta find a way" should satisfy all moods) and technically impeccable (not a reproach can be made to how it sounds). Besides, the man is an artist because he composes, sings and plays instruments. So, who can ask for more ? The track I prefer is "Listen to your heart". Just close your eyes and tell me what you feel... I simply levitate.This will probably not be a number one seller on the charts, for the reasons I mentioned at the beginning : very small, not to say NO promotion (have you seen it advertised ? Do you hear it a lot on the radios ? have you read a lot of critics in the press ?). I said "later", and many people just might never hear of this cd. But trust me, if you have good taste, you will love this cd, which is to me one of the releases of the year in its genre. Will "they" be consistent enough to nominate it for a Grammy (let's not dream of the award, see my review of Rashaan Patterson, Love in stereo)?I want more of this. In the meantime, bon appetit !"
One of the Greats
Dreadlock | Riverside, CA | 10/14/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I remember going to a Record store to purchase a CD. When I purchased it, they gave me a sample CD with a whole bunch of Misc. songs on it. I went home and listen to the Misc. CD to see if I needed to throw it away. He was one of the Artists on the CD. I thought it was a Donny Hathaway song I never heard of before. I looked on the back cover of the CD, and there it was....."Frank McComb" Then, at the bottom of his name it said, "In stores now." Shooooooot.......I put back on my clothes and immediately rushed back to the record store. I've been a fan since then."
An excellent debut
Jetrocket | New York, NY United States | 03/29/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I purchased Frank McComb's Love Stories last week and I have keep it rotating in my cd player since. McComb's a first rate artist of the highest caliber -- a talent lyricst, a moving vocalist, a sensitive key board player. Love Stories has the strenght to endure beyond the years."
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1