New acts appear every other day, being advertised as the best newcomer or album of the year, with a mention in the media, yet are forgotten from one week to another as one hit wonders, but Southern country boy, Kevin Michael is about to step up to the frontline.

If you are unfamiliar with this 22 year-old, he is a soul/funk/r&b/pop trifle, signed to DownTown Records, debuting with his self-titled brand spanking new album Kevin Michael, he´s a definite new neo-soul. “We All Want the Same Thing” is his first single, a gospel/acoustic talk on the world and the imbalance of power relations, giving the feel for movement and change with cartoon mc Lupe Fiasco at side. Songwriter Kev manages to raise still exisitng social issues of race & love on a Carribean riddimed track, with Fugees no more, Wyclef Jean´s input line on chorus “1Love”. “Can´t Get Enuff” is as catchy as the one you helplessly just can´t get enough of, followed by “Ha Ha Ha”, using the YingYang´s Whisper Song concept, but switching it up with Kev´s vocals and lullaby twinkle instrumentals, bringing on a midnight sweat. Both “Vicki Secrets” and “Liquid Lave Love” prove Kev as a lady grabber and highlight his high noted D´Angelo traits, then slowing it down for us on r&b jammer “Love Letter.”

Michael sparks his creative juices on his pure afro-pop “Ain´t Got You”, with slight scratching in the background, an entrance of violins are wired in for the more classical side within him. Lastly, ridiculous is the word to describe the strings and Latin beats on funky timer “Stone Cold Killa”, plus for a rap on the tracklist, with Q-Tip´s appearance on “Too Blessed”. Spread word for youngstar Kev.M- see this talent creep up onto our radiowaves!

Words by Daniella V Robbins

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