Search - Lorenzo :: Lorenzo

Latter-Day Soul Man Lorenzo

retro_styled_crooner | Tustin, CA USA | 10/07/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lorenzo Smith, from Havana, FL (small town outside of Tallahassee), had that rugged look and build that the girls loved in the early '90s. He was a former high school athlete with strong gospel influence in his vocal delievery, which comes from his family's church roots. Smith's musical influences included Michael Jackson, El Debarge, and New Edition, but he couldn't help being swayed by Otis Redding, James Brown, and Sam Cooke, his momma's favorites. His later influences were urban souls greatest vocalists; Luther Vandross, Freddy Jackson, Will Downing, and others. On his first "real" debut, Lorenzo, he utitilized the same New Jack Swing and hip-hop rhythm tracks that was pioneered by "The King of New Jack Swing" Teddy Riley. His name should be added to the lists of latter-day soul men; Lorenzo's rich vocals bring much vocal energy to the majority of his self-titled album. The highest charted single in Lorenzo's brief career was the nice uptempo number "Real Love," which peaked at No. 6 on the R&B charts, "Saving My Love" is equally impressive. The slow cuts on the album are "I Can't Stand the Pain" (more adult-oriented) and "Make Love 2 Me" (has more street feel). Both numbers, respectively, broke past the R&B top-23. His self-titled LP, which made it into the R&B Top 24, featured veteran Philly soul talents Joseph B. Jefferson, Bobby Eli, and Terry Stubbs.Lorenzo would go on to make only one more album, Love on My Mind, on Luke Campbell's Luke Records in 1995; he also contributed vocals to Campbell's Uncle Luke CD before fading, unfortunately, into obscurity."

A UNIQUE, TALENTED YOUNG ARTIST

Tiffany | Arkansas, USA | 06/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD. It's one of my favorites. He's great at expressing his mind. It will be great to hear something from him again and soon."