Two years ago I interviewed Eric Roberson for a soul magazine when he gave me the insanely exciting news that he and long term collaborator Phonte (Foreign Exchange, Little Brother) were heading to the studio together to record a collaboration album!

Whilst we have all been patiently waiting, hoping it wasn’t an empty promise, it seems that Erro and Phonte HAVE been in the studio and the album is set for release on the 22nd of July on Erro’s own label, Blue Erro Soul.

No title has been announced yet but we’ll keep you posted of any more info and hopefully some tour dates!

@CarlyMond

The music industry is tough right now, with the landscape of how artists create music and market themselves changing almost daily. Talented artists with proven longevity are rare, independent artists with longevity are even more rare which is why independent singer, songwriter and producer Eric Roberson should be especially proud of the release this week of his 10th studio album ‘The Box.

Eric Roberson boasts a music career spanning 15 years, he has an established sound and a dedicated fan base which brings with it high expectations from new album ‘The Box‘ and he does not disappoint. For anyone out there looking for ‘real’ music with soul, instrumental exploration and impeccable songwriting, Erro’sBox‘ contains all of this and more!

Upon first listen two things struck me about the album, the first being how incredible the variation of live instruments on many of the tracks is, so much care has been taken over the production and ‘sound’ of each song with talented musicians blending with Erro’s vocals, each track feels really alive, like they could burst out of your speakers! There has been a lot of criticism of late that music has become too over-produced with an absence of instrumental emphasis, this album fills that void. A great acheivement in production, credit must be given to producers Brett “Bdubb” Baker, Aaron Hardin, Jeff Murrell, Erro himself and more who have created the flawless sound of the album.

The second realisation (as I tried to listen to ‘The Box‘ at work) is that this is not an album for passive listening, Eric Roberson is a storyteller and as much as you might try to use music for ‘background’, his deeply personal and evolving lyrics will steal your attention and embrace you back into the songs. Erro himself describes the album as ‘grown’ and his lyrics are just that with songs like, ‘Lust for Love’ and ‘Im Not Trying To Keep Score No More‘ exploring the rarely talked about challenges of long term relationships. The motivational ‘Don’t Hide Your Wings‘ boasts the knowledge of a man who understands the pressures that women face and the battles many have with self esteem, ‘The Pill‘ explores fears of commitment whilst ‘Do The Same For Me‘ expresses the contentment of a happily married family man (if you reach the end of this track without shedding a tear check your pulse!).

The Box ebbs and flows across different musical styles, from the hip hop vibe of ‘The Cycle‘ which features Pharoahe Monch, to the infectious swing sound of ‘Pill‘, ‘Haunted‘ has a classic jazz flava then Erro brings the funk with help from Dave Hollister on ‘The Box‘. One of the most distinctive tracks on the album is ‘Just Imagine‘ which touches on a more indie style of RnB and features the hauntingly beautiful guest vocals of ‘King‘.

The range of styles on this album could divide fans, but whether or not you think that this is Erro’s best album it is undoubtedly his most confident, it is bold and experimental whilst keeping within the genre which his audiences know and love him for. His vocals are stronger than ever on The Box, we hear him demonstrate a lower range as well as exploring a raspier, funk style to his voice on tracks such as ‘Pill‘.

The Box is bursting with soul and variety, more than an album it is a musical journey through RnB styles and Eric Roberson’s life, it will make you sing, laugh, dance, and cry and have you reaching for ‘repeat’ to experience it all over again! If you’re a Music Fan First you need to get yourself a copy of The Box – it will not disappoint!

Carly – ann (@CarlyMond)


Check out Eric Roberson’s first single from ‘The Box’ – Mark on Me

 

 

 

This week RnB / soul fans have been blessed with this sensational collaboration of soulful Talent! For those who are unfamiliar – Lil John Roberts is one of the most respected RnB drummers in the industry, he has performed on tracks with Snarky Puppy, Musiq Soulchild, Robert Glasper and Jill Scott to name a few, as well as touring with the likes of Stevie Wonder!

Lil John is currently working on his debut album entitled, ‘Heartbeat‘ which will feature tracks with Mint Condition, The Robert Glasper Experiment, Eric Roberson and a number of new RnB artists. ‘Space’ is the first single from this album and features vocals from Eric Roberson, Stokely (of Mint Condition), Anthony David and Musiq Soulchild whose voices blend beautifully together!

The track is uplifting with a jazzy edge, the collobration is genius – showcasing true RnB finesse and artistry. The standard has been set high for the release of ‘Heartbreak‘ in July and it is nice to see that with the likes of Lil John and Robert Glasper musicians are finally getting the spotlight that they deserve!

Carly – ann (@CarlyMond)


Lil John Roberts feat Eric Roberson, Stokely, Anthony David & Musiq Soulchild

 

 

 

 

Hey Soulquarians
Check our exclusive Eric Roberson visual interview at Mi Soul radio towers where he breaks down his brand new collaborative project,
“B Sides, Features & Heartaches”
He reveals news on a highly anticipated and exciting duo album landing in 2015.
What’s Erro’s perspective on that next possible D’angelo album?
Plus check out one of Erro’s legendary freestyles.
If all that wasn’t enough…Check out the whole interview for your chance to win a signed copy of his new album “B Sides, Features & Heartaches”
Enjoy
RH

I just had to write about everything that’s been going on in music this week! For RnB fans, especially those of us that love the 90’s vibe this week has been colossal in the world of music. So if you’ve slept all week or been working too hard to take note, here’s what you’ve missed:

The week began with the return of Babyface and Toni Braxton on their collaboration album, ‘Love, Marriage & Divorce’. No doubt people will have misconceptions that an album by these 2 artists will be full of ballads but don’t be mislead the album is Fresh! Babyface and Toni’s voices have never sounded stronger and the vibe of the album is slick, sophisticated soul; ‘Sweat’ and ‘Heart Attack’ in particular are great up tempo tracks.

Then came the Timbaland leak during an online fan chat that he is in talks with Devante about working on the new Jodeci album!!! It’s been 18 years since the RnB sensation released a new single and the music world is so hyped about the return it even made a feature in the Guardian newspaper! Maxwell teased and excited fans with the news that he has finished recording the second installment of his ‘Blacksummer’s Night’ trilogy tweeting, ‘#Summers #recording #finish‘. Jermaine Dupri has also been tweeting from the studio this week, he’s been reunited with Mariah Carey, P. Diddy and Trey Songz and promised us all he’s working on ‘#somuchnewmusic’

As if that wasn’t enough Eric Roberson dropped his new album, ‘B-Sides, Features and Heartache’s’, Miguel released an incredible new track, ‘Simple Things’ and in hip hop Nas announced that he will be releasing a 20th Anniversary 2-disc special edition of ‘Illmatic’, entitled ‘Illmatix XX‘ expected to drop on the 15th of April.

The hottest track of the week for me has been ‘Take It’ by Amp Fiddler feat Rapheal Saadiq from his latest EP ‘Basementality 2’ and if you’re a Raphael Saadiq fan you can catch him live with Tony Toni Tone, Blackstreet, En Vogue, Mint Condtion, Total, Silk and Kut Klose at Wembley Arena on the 15th of February for the ‘RnB Superstars Valentines Special.

How will the world of RnB top this? Looking forward to next week………….

Carly – ann (@CarlyMond)

Amp Fiddler feat Raphael Saadiq – Take it
http://youtu.be/SQTFrl50FZg
 

 

 

 

Erro gives us the perfect start to 2014 by releasing his new single ‘Anymore’, a soulful infectious track about the breakdown of a relationship, it has an old school vibe with Erro’s contemporary twist. The single is the first release from his upcoming album ‘B-Sides, Features & Heartaches’, a collection of previously unreleased singles and songs by other artists which Erro features on, set for release on February 4th. He then promises to release his 9th studio album featuring all new material later in the year.

Enjoy the new track and for those of you in and around London, you can catch Erro performing live at Clapham Grand on Friday 7th February. He is one of the best performers I’ve seen, outstanding vocals, amazing band, he’s humble, really interactive with the crowd and he’s got jokes too – a 2014 must for Soul and RnB fans!

Carly – ann (@CarlyMond)

Eric Roberson – Anymore

http://youtu.be/Hqa67m_kfTU
 

 

 

 

Hey Soulquarians,
Here’s a slice of super soul from one of my favourite modern day artists Erro aka Eric Roberson
‘Picture Perfect’ features Phonte from Foreign Exchange which is the kinda collaboration that can only produce the realness in undiluted soul. So with that said, enjoy and make sure you leave ya comments
Love n Blessness
RH

In case you missed the show make sure you jump online and check it out. This week Ronnie caught up with Eric Roberson and has him do an acoustic performance. Eric Roberson also picks his R N B top 5 Also some of the biggest tracks from the RNB and Soul Scene, including music by Omarion, RD, Abel Miller, Beyonce, The Dream, KOF, Mike Hough and many more…

Listen back now: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01460nb

Posted by: Yaw Owusu