Jeff Hendrick's new album, Color Blind, is an infectious collection of smooth cuts that swings gently into action with the superior stepper, Back To The Days. On the chorus, Jeff sings, "I want to take things back to the days, when music lifted people, songs had something to say." It's a familiar theme for Jeff (check Old School Party on Soul Celebration) and something of a calling card for his brand of sophisticated R&B and soul aimed squarely at the more mature soul crowd.

 Jeff's music is a warm and charming blend of R&B, soul, light jazz and steppers grooves that withstands repeated plays via well crafted, insidious cuts that tenderly burrow deep in your soul over time. It may not win the 'Best Album' award come the end of year reviews, but it'll certainly be one of the most played.
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The new project Color Blind from multi-instrumentalist/songwriter/producer Jeff Hendrick could be summarized by a few lines from the opening track “Back To The Days”. Hendrick states “I wanna take things back to the days when music lifted people, songs had something to say.” Mission accomplished.

The appeal for this reviewer is that Color Blind contains classic production and writing technique: memorable hooks and melodies and grooves that support the vocal and don’t distract. Often in this producer-driven era the vocal is used as another element in the arrangement and not the focus of the story. On Color Blind the vocals are front and center, relaxed and smooth, conversational.

This is music to move and groove to, in listening to this set it is very easy to see why Jeff Hendrick is a favorite among steppers around the world(he will perform at the world’s largest steppers contest later this month in Chicago) the beats are very steady with the right snap on the backbeat that makes this music prime for stepping.

Don’t get it twisted Jeff can definitely slow it down as he does on the title track “Color Blind” which is reminiscent of 80’s era Sade in its delivery. No rush here, the music and the message are allowed to breathe. Which brings me to another thought and that is Jeff Hendrick’s use of instrumental breaks. Whether he utilizes a keyboard or saxophone solo they are all executed masterfully.

If you enjoy and appreciate great singing, songs and production this is a must have purchase for you. It’s easy to see why Jeff Hendrick has been a featured B-Side artist and favorite of Michael Baisden since 2006: great music cannot be denied.

Color Blind: Highly Recommended by Ivan Orr
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The moment I heard Jeff Hendrick sing on Color Blind, his latest album, I instantly thought of Michael Franks. It would be incorrect to say that Hendrick is trying to sound exactly like Franks. Hendrick sings R&B while Franks' sound has more of a jazzy vibe. Yet, there are similarities in their phrasing, vocal range and the attitude that Franks and Hendrick bring to a song. Both men have a laid back, intimate delivery that almost sounds like they are singing while sitting across from a cocktail table. 

Hendrick is also a singer who located a sound that compliments his voice.  That sound is rooted in R&B, funk and jazz. Hendrick is aware of this, and that fact becomes obvious on Color Blind's opening track, "Back To The Days." The song pays homage to the days when bands played real instruments and when lyrics encouraged people to feel good and dance. "Back To The Days" can be viewed as Hendrick's artistic statement. He is not going to give you autotune, nor is he going to make songs that objectify women. He may not break any new ground musically, but he's going to give grown folks what they have been pining for. 

A lot of artists make that statement, but Hendrick is pretty effective in backing it up on Color Blind's ensuing tracks. The album sports several standout tracks. One example is the title track. "Color Blind" is a jazzy ballad that could also serve as Hendrick's personal manifesto. On "Color Blind," the blue-eyed crooner sings about his commitment to a woman of a different race. It might appear that someone with Hendrick's laid-back delivery might have a hard time making such a song convincing. But his soft tenor whisper gives a conversational intimacy to the song. Of course, the song's message is one that should be acceptable at a time when the president is the son of a white woman and a black man from Africa. However, it's likely that "Color Blind's" message will be easier to accept coming from a white man singing about a black woman than it would if a black man sang the song. Still, "Color Blind" is one of several noteworthy songs on the album. 

Hendrick varies the tempo and gives Color Blind a little Caribbean vibe on the song "Island Girl," while he creates a stepper's anthem and wedding dance song on "First Dance." "Be Yours" is a funky head nodder with a catchy hook. 

One thing that can definitely be said for Color Blind is that the material gets better from beginning to end. I usually listen to these albums straight through multiple times before I attempt to write a review. Toward the end, I found myself really focusing on tracks three to 11, which are the heart of this strong album. For those scoring at home, that's a pretty good batting average, and Color Blind is a welcome new disc for an old school soul. Recommended. 

By Howard Dukes
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i got hold of soul celebration however can t wait to get hold of this cd brilliant vocals old skool soul
brilliant love it jeff really knows how to write exellent soul music write and preform dont miss this one
this cd will be big in the uk modern soul arena keep up the good work jeff respect
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