October 22, 2015 

By Zon D’Amour 

Contributing Writer 

 

For the 10th annual Taste Of Soul, KJLH and the Buffalo Wild Wings Stage included talent that can also attest to ten plus years in the music business.

 

To kick off the afternoon, Brent Jones and The KJLH Radio Free Voices Choir blessed the audience with a gospel medley.

 

Followed by Monica who at age 34 still looks as youthful as she did when her first single, “Don’t Take It Personal” hit the Billboard charts in 1996.

 

She shared the inspiration behind her eighth album.

 

“Code Red is me saying there’s a state of emergency to preserve our type of music. For my latest record, ‘Just Right For Me’, my fans know Polow da Don produced it but do they understand had it not been for Smokey Robinson, the record wouldn’t even exist. This album is me taking the opportunity to teach this generation about the music that really means the most to me.”

 

Speaking of knowing your music history, R&B Divas star Angie Stone used her set to reintroduce the world to her hip-hop group, The Sequence.

 

“It was important to me that everyone know that Blondie and I were a part of the first female rap group to ever grace a stage on a national level. To never have received our proper recognition is disheartening so I wanted to do something to make change. Since I’ve been relevant for 37 years, I think I better bring it back to the beginning.”

 

On the importance of Taste of Soul, Stone shared, “Anything that you can do that gives back to the community is important because this community supports our careers. Everything shouldn’t be about taking, giving is so much more important.” Her new album, Dream hits stores November 6th.

 

Next to grace the stage was Deitrick Haddon who was previously apart of the 9th Annual Taste Of Soul with his hit Oxygen series, Preachers of L.A. “This year I’m performing on the main stage and it’s such an amazing thing” he said. “It gets no better than this. This event brings out all of L.A.’s best and brightest. I’m happy to be able to represent the gospel community right here at the Taste of Soul.” Deitrick’s new album Masterpiece also hits stores November 6th.

 

When asked if he’ll be appearing in any more television series, the singer shared, “I just got two shows picked up! You’re going to see a lot more Deitrick in 2016” the pastor exclaimed.

 

As the sun set on Crenshaw Blvd. Mint Condition, in their all white, performed an extensive medley of hits from the past two decades but couldn’t leave the stage without singing fan favorite, “Pretty Brown Eyes”.

 

“That song has kept our fans loyal to us for nearly 25 years. We can’t get anywhere near the exit without playing it. That song definitely means the most to us because it’s continued to keep us relevant and at the forefront of everyone’s minds” shared guitar player Homer O’Dell.

 

After getting off stage, lead singer Stokley Williams shared, “The performance felt fantastic. The production was great. It was amazing to be a part of Taste of Soul and be amongst the community.

 

Closing out the night was R&B singer Joe who gave his all as the headliner. His performance was definitely for the grown and sexy with his medley of love songs including, “I Wanna Know”, “All The Things” and “If I Was Your Man”. The crooner also did an excellent cover of Frankie Beverly and Maze’s “Before I Let You Go”.

 

Fans who were hanging on to Joe’s every word, hated to see him leave the stage after his high energy performance. Fortunately his new album, Bridges is in stores now.

Category: Arts & Culture