Customer Reviews

Black Music

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Marc Anthony Thompson released two little-known about albums in the eighties.'84s "Marc Anthony Thompson" and '89s "Watts And Paris",an experiemental Black musician who didn't fit the confines of R&B or rap,Marc's music was severly overlooked
(Both of those albums are out of print as well).

Thompson returned to recording under the moniker Chocolate Genius with this album "Black Music".Dark,brooding,and moody,
the chances that you will win the lottery and get by lighting on
the same day are higher than any of these songs getting played on the radio.

"My Mom" will get even the most roughest soul teared up as Thompson's voice is so rough yet emotional."Stupid Again" reminds me of his unknown classic "Recover Gracefully" in it's
hopeful yet slighty bitter feel."Half A Man","Safe and Sound",
and "Life" also make an impression.

"Black Music" is a distinguished album that actually makes Chocolate Genius his namesake.

For the love of god, if you are a music fan BUY THIS RECORD. Am I the only person who "gets this"? This record isn't just good. It's IMPORTANT. I know it's been said about other (less important) artists, but I've seen the future of music and the future is Chocolate Genius.
Go to his web site and listen to some of the songs. If your are a fan of GREAT music with GREAT lyrics you will buy this AND God Music.
Just give it a try.
Please

Simple. CG is virtually unparalled today. MAT is a poetic lyricist, story teller, provokateur, and elegant song writer wise enough to collaborate with some of the best musicians around today to weave a sophisticated musical tapestry. This isn't bubblegum pop. MAT is without question focused on music with complex meanings and interpretive narratives. Music with longevity over temporality. He's an artist, a melting pot, a synthesis of vast and complex references. There's another review somewhere in here that says to see his live show; without question, follow. I've seen CG live 7 times and been listening to Black Music at least several times a week since it's release 3-1/2 years ago and it never grows old, just deeper and sweeter. God Music released just a few months ago continues to grow deeper with every listen as well. Lastly, he's too intelligent to get away with taking his music, lyrics, or album titles at face value; this is a thinking-persons music. Think about it all, don't jump to the obvious. CG, It's All Good. 'nuff said.

My intro to Chocolate Genius was a live concert where he and the band were the opening act. When all was said and done, they blew away the main event to the point where I can't honestly recall who it was we were there to see. Chocolate Genius is one of the best live performers I've ever seen -- he establishes an immediate, deep connection with the audience, he's an incredible improviser (often incorporating events in the concert hall directly into his lyrics extemporaneously) and he has an incredible voice. Frankly, the soulfulness of his music and his delivery simply are not represented well on any of his CDs. I couldn't say exactly why, though I think the even-handedness of the mix has something to do with it, smoothing out the highs and lows to his detriment. In any event, if you don't know Chocolate Genius, get yourself asap to one of his shows. If you know him only from CDs, get yourself asap to one of his shows. If you have no interest at all, get yourself asap to one of his shows.

Marc Anthony's debut as chocolate genius marks a wonderful time period. It had been nine years since he had recorded an album. He needed to prove himself. Perhaps he saw black music as his escape from being a pop artist of the 1980s.
The opening sounds of the jazzy Life croon like the best of his contemporaries. Don't look down is quite an ode to keeping your head up in this hard life we all endure. My Mom is perhaps the most touching song you will ever heard about a parent. Safe and Sound is as rock as anything that Tom Petty could touch. Hangover #9 is drunken madness at its best. "And where are my keys... where are my keys?"-just you wait and listen. The album closes with two wonderful tracks-"it's all good", a mellow jazz piano laced tune, and a hidden bonus track-an acoustic version of Half a Man. Wonderful, just wonderful.

Perhaps the biggest flaw with the cd, is that the packaging and imaging is all wrong. He wants to show how he is nothing like ordinary black music, and many people probably refused to even consider buying it do to the title. it is better to say that this is a black man's music, who might sound "whiter than black" to most...but he is as real as it gets, a musician's musician-who cares if he is black or white or yellow or brown.
Peace and Love,
Zake-check my godmusic review...an even better album than this.

I originally heard Chocolate Genius on KCRW and bought the CD. Like a lot of great new recordings (e.g., Liz Phair's "Exile in Guyville" or Rufus Wainwright's self-titled debut), at first I was put off by the CD, but now... I love it.

This is really mature music, along the lines of Daniel Lanois' solo work or recent Jane Siberry (check out her "Maria" CD). Contrary to so much of the dross that passes for pop music these days, Chocolate isn't afraid of space, of quiet, of the dramatic dynamic which can make music such a beautiful experience. The melodies are gorgeous, whether they're sophisticated piano tinklings or the simple chunka-chunka of an electric guitar.

This is also great songwriting: the lyrics of "My Mom" move me to tears. The musicianship is really smart, too; each musician plays with restraint and sensitivity, never bombastic. The whole package is proffered with lovely production values, without being over-processed: in the last song, which must have been recorded without any overdubbing, you can even hear the creaks of the guitar and chair as the musicians commit the song to record. It's this realism, this honesty, which makes "Chocolate Genius" so worthwhile.

Marc Anthony Thompson has a unique style that is unmatched by any other entertainer since Elvis left the building. He is an exceptional, talented, musician/entertainer whose contributions to the music industry should have given him "Super Stardom" success. He has a style that baits you, reels you in and hooks you once you start listening to him. I hope he continues to record for many years.

For the love of god, if you are a music fan BUY THIS RECORD. Am I the only person who "gets this"? This record isn't just good. It's IMPORTANT. I know it's been said about other (less important) artists, but I've seen the future of music and the future is Chocolate Genius.
Go to his web site and listen to some of the songs. If your are a fan of GREAT music with GREAT lyrics you will buy this AND God Music.
Just give it a try.
Please

sounding better each time you play it. Skilled (predominantly) jazz-musicians playing strange but beautiful sad (black) songs. If drinking caused Marc Anthony Thompson to sing the way he does let's hope he never quits. Check out the two 'hangover' songs on the album. Basicly all the songs are great.

Looking forward to new material! (If anyone knows whether there will be any please let me know...)

After seeing the video for "my mom" on 120 minutes I knew that the Chocolate genius album had to be phenomenal. And now that I own it, I found out I was right. There are so many styles of music that are wrapped into 11 amazing songs. I highly recommend this album to anyone, it will make you smile, cry, laugh, and basically run the table of emotions. And plus you can pop it in your computer for a really cool enhanced portion of the CD.