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Sean Roux - Not Without Soul |
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Written by Super Administrator
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Thursday, 25 September 2008 20:12 |
 One could call Sean Roux a throwback artist. With his second CD, “Not Without Soul”, Roux (pronounced: Roo) uses a strong soul vocal influences of a bygone era and merges it with rock and pop, with some traces of R&B and blues to create what some would call “Transformers music”; meaning there’s more to it than meets the eye.
Written and produced entirely by Roux, “Not Without Soul” goes a bit deeper with its music influences. Think Nat King Cole or Sam Cooke or Otis Redding more so than any contemporary soul or R&B artists. With a vocal style I’m sure many will say is comparable to Jon B. or Robin Thicke, Roux goes the other direction musically, taking a path to soul in vocal style but keeping the music pop-influenced with a wide range of genres thrown in for good measure. Still, there is some blue-eyed soul in the album, vocally and lyrically speaking, but not in a Righteous Brothers sense. Actually “Not Without Soul” evokes memories of a 70’s rock or pop album in that it’s influence is soul, even though it’s rock or pop, in the same way that Chicago, or Player grooved in the 70’s.
“Not Without Soul” is a play on words to me,” Roux says. “there are plenty of projects that titles begin with the phrase “soul (insert cool word here), and unfortunately certain expectations are derived from such. With the styles that I was attempting to cover, I wanted to open minds and ears.”
Indeed, Roux’s album cover alone is plain and simple. There are no elaborate pictures or smooth macho sex-appeal poses. Roux’s not trying to impress you with a first-look visual. Instead, he’s allowing you to make up your mind by using sound over sight. And the title of the album has hidden meanings that you may or may not get initially. So enter Roux to explain them to you.
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The title infers something that shouldn’t be absent, however important, isn’t as predominant in mainstream lifestyle as I think we all wish it was,” Roux says. “It shares the same idea as life. Just think of life without air. Not possible. Living without soul…not living? It’s something that has to consciously be a part of what we all do, not just musically speaking.”
Overall, the album has a mellow groove that speaks more to rock and pop, but with some R&B and soul mixed in. But the R&B and soul harkens days of the late 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, so those looking for an organic flow might be thrown off a bit. The standout tracks include “Together”, “Her Groove”, and “Melody”.
If you’re into finding soul music influences that dig deeper than most today, in a bedrock of good rock and pop, then “Not Without Soul” will satisfy the music archeologist in you.
Rating: 7/10
Gabriel Rich for Soulinterviews.com
Buy the CD on CDBaby.com
Sean Roux on MySpace
Sean Roux's Official Site
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Last Updated on Thursday, 25 September 2008 21:15 |
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