MARLON SAUNDERS: Enter My Mind

Marlon Saunders

Enter My Mind

© 2003 Gram Cora's Music (659057727325)

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Blends the intense devotion to groove that made 70's r&b so great with a modern edginess steeped in the powerful spoken word dazzle of hip hop.

tracks

1 Enter My Mind
2 You Move Me
3 Keep Doin' What You Do
4 For Love
5 Premonition
6 Love Serenade
7 Inspiration
8 Who Will Go
9 Afro Blue My Mind
10 Coolin'
11 Given A Chance
12 Stone Out Of Hope
13 If It's Magic
14 The Beginning Of Never

notes

Crooning over back-in-the-day riff reminiscent of 70's soul, there's nothing "neo" about Marlon Saunders.

"I want to combine the richness of the 70's - all of it, the music and psyche of black folks, the sense of beauty and awareness - and incorporate that into what I find unique and special about today's music," he says. And the emphasis, like his idols Marvin and Stevie and Rufus, will be songwriting. "In r&b music, we need to go back to the basic songwriting," says Saunders. "I was listening to a Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway record the other day and I was amazed at the beauty of it. It's simple recording in terms of instrumentation, but those sturdy, beautiful songs transcend everything. You can do anything to that music - bop to it, make love to it, hang out with your friends to it, cook a good meal to it.

I want my music to have the same effect. Or like the way Curtis Mayfield could marry the groove with the spiritual concept to the lyrics and still keep it ambiguous.

I want my music to have that sense of discovery."


A graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Saunders is one of the founding members of Jazzhole, a 10 - member group that merges jazzy riffs with soulful crooning over a variety of stylish grooves.

Saunders was also a founding member of Sepia, another acclaimed vocal group. As a highly sought-after background vocalist, Saunders has worked with major talents such as Billy Joel, Sting, Michael Jackson, and Barry White (for whom he also penned "The Longer We Make Love"). He has also toured with Bobby McFerrin as a member of Voicestra, an innovative group created by McFerrin.

reviews

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  • perfect
    author: Thabo

    Its out of this world and mind blowing.If you dont have a copy get one now

  • I love his voice, I love his lips
    author: Rahsidra

    I bought this CD in the store when I saw his lips. Oh my God he is so sexy. I need a man like this to sing me to sleep every night. The music is really smooth and sexy. My favorite song is Coolin.

  • Beautiful Work!
    author: Asaph Womack (Son of Soul)

    This cd is a true work of art! Very unique and beautifully done! Peace and many blessings to you Brother Marlon.

  • Silky smooth lyrics and grooves
    author: Jordan

    Marlon Saunder's debut album "Enter My Mind" has only one word to describe it: MASTERPIECE. With his refreshing, silky-smooth voice and beats, Marlon has a formula for success. Stand-out songs on this album include "Keep Doin' What Ya Doin'", "Coolin'" and of course "Love Serenade." "Enter My Mind" is THE best album of 2003-2004. A must have for anyone's music collection. I highly recommend buying this album.

  • loved it
    author: arthur holcomb

    the cd rocked it made me want to get up and dance

  • Soulful and Insightful!!!!
    author: zycor368@hotmail,com

    The first time I heard Marlon Saunders was on "The Soul Lounge" compilation CD. The track "The Beginning of Never" was (and still is) one of my top three favorite tracks on that CD. That particular song cemented my desire to purchase his album. Having listened to Marlon Saunders' album, I can truly say that he does put me in the mind of the great classic soul musicians that he admires: Stevie Wonder, Donnie Hathaway, Philip Bailey, and many others of the 70s and 80s who exemplify love and romance in their lyrics, production, and actual songcraft. This album is a far cry from the "freak me" school of R&B crooning, eschewing unimaginative, much-too-explicit lyrics for genuine and poetic romance, love, and sensitivity. A back to the basics approach which will also prove to be timeless and classic--two qualities which make for great music.

  • Rhythm, Rhythm and heat
    author: Raphaël Mahfoudh

    "Enter my mind" is a very interesting project. Without saying yet if it's good or not, I got to say that the sound is pretty particular, not at all like the current sound, arrangements, production. In fact, we directly enter the '70s. The other noteworthy thing is the verses, 'cause they express the best way the quality of the rhythm. For this reason, I'm now and again disappointed by the refrain. But don't worry ther're great songs like For love, Love serenade, Afro blue my mind, If it's magic and, of course, Given a chance. Plus one MASTERPIECE: "KEEP DOIN' WHAT YA DO".

  • Great Classic Soul Sound Updated
    author: Chris Rizik of Soul Tracks

    Whether or not Saunders continues to work primarily in group settings such as Jazzhole, with Enter My Mind he has established himself as a powerful and thoughtful solo artist, and one who, if there is any justice, will soon become a major force in driving Soul music to a future direction that is as intelligent and meaningful as its past. (To see the entire review, go to www.soultracks.com)

  • The real deal
    author: Barry Towler (The Lowdown, Soul Express)

    Marlon Saunders' CD is a must-have for your collection. It embraces all shades of quality R&B and will appeal to everybody who has their own particular penchance - be it Mayfield's Curtom sound of the 70s, or the fresh early '80s sound, and even the more raw flavours of today. Marlon has it covered. Simply, a treat for the ears!

  • FUNKYSMOOTH SOUL MUSIC
    author: Honestnotes

    BEST RnB release of 2003 - cope "Enter My Mind" and see for yourself why Billboard, Vibe and other magazines around the world hail Marlon as the New Prince of SOUL >

  • Grezt Soothing Soul Music
    author: Spike B.

    Marlon Saunders is am incredible singer and songwriter . This collection of songs soothes the soul like the old school soul records from back in the day - love the stevie wonder remake as well as "coolin'" and "afro blew my mind" - WICKED RELEASE DO NOT MISS IT !!!

  • The best so far?
    author: jmschmitt@gmx.de

    to cut a long story short: this is simply one of the best soul cd´s in 2004 - a broadminded blend out of today´s and yesterdays´s sounds and moods - played and sung with a general expertise of soul, neo-soul and jazz.

  • Soothing and Grooving
    author: Glenn J. Wiener

    Marlon Saunders explores some delectable tones on his Enter My Mind CD. This release is more R&B and hip hop flaored than his work with Jazzhole. However, this certainly does not make this CD any bit inferior to the fine Circle of the Sun release by Jazzhole. Many compeling moments include the acoustic interpretation of Stevie Wonder's If Its Magic, the delightful rhythms of Afro Blue My Mind and Love Serenade, as well as the soulful touches of Keep Doin' What Ya Do. I especially enjoy the natural blending of instruments on this release as opposed to an over-reliance of electronic programming. A excellent CD on all accounts.

  • Bootylicious
    author: Nancy

    This project is amazing! It's not one that has to exert too much effort to get your attention. You willfully yield and surrender to the vibe and enter the mind of Marlon Saunders.It's so honest and speaks to the truths that resonate in the heart of every man in the most non-threatening way. Who will go will bring you into worship, afro blue my mind will make you drop it like it's hot...what more can be said. It's bangin'!

  • amazing music for your Soul
    author: music lover

    Marlon Saunders has worked with the best of them and now he finally gives us his first solo debut cd. This record is full of incredible grooves , great lyrics but mostly it is the VOICE that shines through this collection of great songs. Marlon carries the torch of true soul singing and while doin' that makes his peers proud and his fans hungry for more. Treat yourself to really great music and enter his mind. You'll be glad you did .

  • Artist has smooth soulful sound.
    author: Monie

    Great original tunes. Full of flavor and life, very soulful. Coolin provides that summer flair. A must have CD. Check it out!!!!

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