Madmonk Reviews: November 2006
Royal’s 4-song EP begins with an electronic groove track called “Love Like A Freak” that serves up a clean mix with synthesized bass, sparse tasteful guitar and a hooky chorus line. The vocal effect at the end of track one is perfectly placed and Jones while dishing out a cool vamp, does not over sing the material with his unusual voice. “Make Things Nice” sounds like it came right off an early 1970’s Temptation album and Royal definitely steps into David Ruffin’s talented shoes. The keyboard parts and vocal harmonies sounded sweet as Rocky Mountain Chocolate through my headphones and I enjoyed the retro soul oozing out of my stereo. “Pain Stain” is more contemporary sounding electronic soul offering; but the vocal lines on this one sound a bit off for my tastes, notwithstanding the excellent musical effects. “Make Things Nice” closes the short EP with a heavy ½ time beat, laid back hip-hop vocals and horn parts weaved around them.
The Royal Jones EP is a perfect calling card to hear what he can do as a vocalist and songwriter; and producers Codee and Richard Morris have done a fine job recording and delineating the musical parts. As you may know, I believe in less is more and enjoy when music is not overpowered with too many instruments and overdubs and this effort never swims in those waters. Madmonk Grade A
A review of this EP has been posted at:
http://newartistradio.net/mc/modules/news/index.php
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Unusual jams, inimitable style! A sensitive edge, funky quirky voice. the 'funkability' leaves a listener wanting more!
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exerpt from TAXI Review of single "Pain Stain"
What an interesting title and concept you have created here!
Nice work .I think that this title is very interesting not only because it's unique ,but also because the words it contains rhyme-and not an overdone rhyme either-great job. When you've come up with as many great traits in a title /concept, as you have here, you shouldn't be shy about showing off your brilliance. ...
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Totally enthralled with singers like Susaye Greene, Stacye Francis,Martha Wash,Liz Lands,Cissy Houston and Miss Martha Reeves , Royal Jones tries to emulate the diva and bring to a song what theses soulful dynamos might in his own inimitable way. Developing unique sounds, intensely scrutinizing his delivery and ultimately finding his own unique style,
Our Royal Jones has done just that with his sweet falsetto topping a high baritone
legit range covering four octaves plus.
the emoting white man!
To record my own poetry and lyrics which I've scribbled since childhood, I've come full circle! Even without a hit record!
...Singing in various choruses, choirs, and glee clubs did not prepare this backwoods New Hampshire native for life in the big City. But oh how he has adapted himself to singing heartfelt SOUL!
Royal Jones has kicked around NYC since 1979 collaborating and seeking a support network and a fringe audience.
Work with Steve Sandberg (Dora the Explorer, go Diego Go)produced fourteen songs on a "basement CD" 'RUFFLE IN A BAG OF PLAIN'
Two of these collaborations were included in this new set of original songs from the 2005 CD "YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE" from the independent MBIBE MUSIC label. Both YBTC and MTN are given the special touch by CODEE.
The "RUFFLE IN A BAG OF PLAIN", project was based on Royal Jones' childhood in a New Hampshire town where the biggest attraction was the chip factory. Everyone had their chip tin.
Producer CODEE known for his work with Mary J. Blige, Michael Jackson, Nancy Wilson, Marcus Miller, LL Kool J ,Cathy Dennis, P Diddy. etc.. more than suited Jones soulful nature and the proof is in the puddin'Stir it up and you'll agree....His sweet falsetto has produced some sugary ear candy!
Thoughts that some say should have been saved for the therapist's visit are spilled out onto the tracks of this newest CD .
From the East Village of NYC Royal Jones waits for listeners to discover what he has to offer.Grateful for anything and everything. Old school, a throwback, you name it, I've been called it! ....
MBIBE Music
"Lovely!"
from MP3 .com
NYC's underground music scene presents the ROYAL JONES' "YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE" on the MBIBE Music label.
I think you'll be all ears when you hear Royal Jones' "You Broke The Circle"
Shake your money maker throughout this eclectic set of upbeat well engineered unusual jams.
The tracks pop off the speakers , . Lots of hooks with great arrangements! The musicians provide just the right funk for flaunting the artist’s gift!
The treatment producer CoDee gave Jones' original tracks compliment his unusual sounding vocals and the jams slam.
Upon listening to his quirky voice,comparing ROYAL JONES to anyone is short changing him. .An alternative soul vocalist/songwriter blessed with inimitable style and a four octave vocal range! I'd say the audiophile is in for a treat.
A stream of consciousness lyric style immediately grabbed me .A collection of original uniqueness and a real winner in my estimation.An artist whose style and sincerity down home 'funkability ' leaves the listener wanting more! Sensitive edged odd ball that he is!
Influenced by his love of 60s MOTOWN, ROYAL JONES one man choir provides amusement park potential for riding the Himalaya at the Fun O Rama!
.Elevate,imbibe and get down.Something old yet new! Paleface soul. Hooked on chronics.
Did I say Funky? 'PAIN STAIN' is amusing and certainly worth a listen.I read somewhere 'Royal will stick to you like grits'I agree wholeheartedly... You are in for a treat!A lovely debut! Don't deny yourself a good time.
Between The Lines Newspaper
From issue number 1336
PrideSource
Hear Me Out
By D'Anne Witkowski
http://pridesource.com/summary.shtml?issue=1336
Yes, the strangely soulful falsetto of Royal Jones really does come from a middle-aged, blue-eyed, white guy.
Hearing is believing.Blue eyed soul grooves.A man out of his mind. Unusual delivery and cathartic lyrical performance.Sincere and frenzied with funk
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Posted by Wally Bangs
Music from Mbibe Music
What would you do if you were blessed with a four octave vocal range? Royal Jones uses his to make some of the most off kilter, unique, and fractured funk and soul songs around. the New York City vibe of his music is light years away from the Motown Sound. It’s electronic funk music for dancing in the clubs, but possessed of a chilled out ghostliness at times that makes you wonder who let the trip-hop in the door.
head straight for the title cut and you’re quickly swept up in a weird world that’s like a kissing cousin to the stuff that Antony & The Johnsons are doing. "Echo" has a sort of creepy bossa nova ambience perfect for this post-modern film noir world. I dig the guitar riff on "Ride Out Of Control" which sounds like it could have been sampled from a Sly And The Family Stone album . "Pain Stain" with its paranoid diva shtick reminiscent of dancier Frank Zappa grooves. Royal Jones manages to sound like Asha Puthli on "Love Like A Freak".
I feel Royal Jones would really shine and stand out if he started putting out 12 inch records. You can pick up some of his music either through his website or by visiting Amazon or CD Baby.
Posted by Wally Bangs
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Rally on the dance floor and proclaim that this New Millennium will meld the genders and blend the races.
Royal Jones’ new CD, YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE, confirms that white men do become soulful divas. Our Royal Jones wrote his original songs with the vibes of human truths: Love. Misery. Bliss. Despair. Loneliness. Celebration. Ecstasy!
Produced and arranged by the masterful CODEE, YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE is an American coronation breaking the endless circle this presidential wasteland has been parading before the Planet.
Bold. Free. Backroom decadence. YOU BROKE THE CIRCLEdeems to be this year’s intoxication. Imbibe!
Confused? Echoes in your brainwaves? Out of control? Beware! Break your circle. Have an epiphany and love like a freak. It is time for
reality (play loud). See? YOU BROKE THE CIRCLE
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>>>Customer reviews:
Average customer rating for Royal Jones - Make Things Nice is: 5
Absolutely soul full!
best kept secret in New York City
I bought this cd on a whim
.I liked the cover art, bright and simple.
I had no idea I'd be so blown over by this unknown artiste.
All the songs are original and are they ever funky!
11 songs of equal enjoyment calibre.
The First which is " love like a Freak" reallly takes off near the end of the cut. I'm sure a remix would sample even more of that catchy groove. Make things nice the title cut is reminiscent of a Marvin Gaye vocal.
This CD has one of the most credible street vibes I've heard in a long time.
You Broke The Circle is a trip through dance clubs and time itself -- on "Echo," we fade into old-fashioned dance hall cha-cha-cha. On "Confused," Jones gets so incredibly Motown, I could swear I'm listening to Gladys Knight and the Pips. And I really mean Gladys Knight. Jones sings like a Motown queen. I could have sworn this was a female singer if it weren't for the occasional dip into bass territory.
My favorite track is "Ride Out of Control," a tribute to 70s funk, complete with a horn section and lazy, drawling rapping. The hook is the refrain, "If I ever come down, I'll behave, I'll be good."
The bottom line is that you will move to this. Yes, it's sample-happy and completely synthesized, but it's bursting with soul. Make it your soundtrack for a Saturday night and see if you don't sound like Sylvia from Boston the next morning. this article comes from Indie-Music.com
The URL for this story is:
http://www.indie-music.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3404
Born in Methuen Massachusetts
New Hampshire's Royal Jones (RJ) began his collaborating in the late 70's with Nancy Rosenberg on The Stars Weren't Right in Harvard Square.
Royal Jones' last NYC appearance was in January of 2006 when he was guest artist with the wonderful Stephanie Clark. He sang If I Ever Come Down and Home — the Charles Smalls classic from The Wiz which has been a staple in Jones repertoire for years.
Grab a listen at
http://www.royaljones.com
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