Artist stays true

Musician's new album combines talent and soul

By Hilliary Martino, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, October 14, 1998

The hip hop community continues to rock with a new rhythm and blues album by Jesse Powell.

This is the only way to describe the new album "'Bout it" by this talented young artist. The album combines talent, originality and soulful ballads that send a potent musical vibe many people can groove to.

The first track on the album, "I Wasn't With it," showcases Powell's ability to deliver a funky hip hop sound, while staying true to his provocative rhythm and blues roots.

Powell began to mature his vocal talents as a youngster in his native Gary, Ind., where he formed a vocal quartet with his mother, two sisters and a younger brother.

Later in his career, Powell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a solo recording contract. He landed a deal in Hollywood with Silas Records.

"Up and Down" sets the sensual flow of the album's sultry mood, while the title track "'Bout it, 'Bout it" delivers a soulful rhythm and blues sound to the listener.

In between the funk and the ballads, Powell dabbles in the retro soul of "I Can Tell" and the love drama "She Wasn't Last Night" with so much passion in his voice that it will send chills down a listener's spine.

The talented musician is no doubt a part of a prestigious group of young artists who have acquired the true rhythm and blues sound.

The most important aspect of Powell's album is that it never loses focus of its purpose.

Powell delivers songs from the heart and his album does not sacrifice song quality to conform to today's genre of basic hip hop tunes.

The album "'Bout it" is definitely a cool groove with much soul, funk and flavor.