The Colored Section

Donnie

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: October 29, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Motown
• ASIN: B000095J4W
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (160 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #95,599 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Atlanta singer-songwriter Donnie's Colored Section debut is uneasy listening of the highest order, as the album's title--referencing an ugly manifestation of racial prejudice--suggests. Donnie has a message; actually, he has a grocery list's worth. And he scatters them throughout his Southern-fried soul songs in blunt, riveting language. In a voice plainly reminiscent of Stevie Wonder, Donnie challenges notions of inequality, and while his words are sobering, he never loses sight of the groove. The horn-infused, swaggering "Big Black Buck" is pure New Orleans funeral march, while "Beautiful Me"--a razor-sharp pronouncement of individuality--builds on an almost gospel foundation, albeit one with a percussive spine. "Our New National Anthem" has a finger-snapping Philly-soul vibe, and while a reference to the impact of 9/11 seems, at this point, a bit like declaring the sky blue, it's a rare misstep in an otherwise fluid and funky debut. --Kim Hughes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One for "GOOD" music lovers!!!, November 7, 2002

By	Monalisa D. Moody (Marietta, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Colored Section (Audio CD)

This phenomenal singer/songwriter may be new to many of us, but to many this debut release from Donnie, "The Colored Section" has been a long time coming! Those who have patiently waited, supporting Donnie's EP releases and shows around the world, feel that it has definitely been worth the wait! Donnie's inspirational courage and talent was singled out in India Arie's recent debut CD, Acoustic Soul, where she claims in the album's credits, "one day the world will know what I have known for so long". With a voice that has been compared to greats before him such as, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder, Donnie holds his own! "The Colored Section" contains thought provoking, honest, heartfelt lyrics over funky, jazzy, hip, 70's reminiscent tracks. With titles such as, "The Colored Section", "Beautiful Me", "Big Black Buck", and "Our New National Anthem", ones curiosity has to be stimulated. Wonder no more, pick it up, you won't be disappointed. This one is definitely for "GOOD" music lovers...

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1 OF THE BEST NEO SOUL CDs U'LL COME ACROSS..., December 2, 2005

By	Neil Sol "Chazz Eyam" (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

Prepare to be MAJORLY moved, especially if you're African-American. Deep. DEEP, I tell ya! He HAS to be the most racially/socially conscious singer out there right now. This brotha's stuff?...Goes DEEEEP! Hell, the title is deep! Controversial cuts like "Big Black Buck" lets you know this ain't ya ordinary "Bump-N-Grind" CD ya got hea! Great music. Stevie-esque sound, and it's all good. "Cloud" isn't about what you think it is...of course it's deeper. See the theme here: DEEP! Great music matched with a great vocal and consciousness and this CD is hotter than a working oven on Mercury. This may not be for everyone, but it should be...if you ctach my drfit. Get this and you will see what I mean.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Talented Section., November 11, 2002

By	The Groove (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Colored Section (Audio CD)

Who says talent doesn't run in the family? Laylah Hathaway and Jakob Dylan are respectable performers who have paid their dues and earned their fame independently of their influential parents. Add to this list a Kentucky-born brother by the name of Donnie. A cousin of the legendary Marvin Gaye, Donnie has released his debut "The Colored Section," which is shaping up to become the year's best recording by a male vocalist. A jaw-droppingly brilliant stroke of down-to-earth soul, "The Colored Section" is beautifully conceived, flawlessly arranged, and crafted with affection. Donnie's lyrics preach messages of hope, salvation, empowerment, and love, but unlike India.Arie, he doesn't insult your intelligence with self-help cliches and predictable catchphrases. And his voice? It's smoother than silk. I've been intrigued by this brother since I heard his dynamite "Our New National Anthem," which appears on the excellent "Soul Sessions" compilation released a few months ago. The rest of the album picks up where that song left off in a big way. He steps up to those who use the word [n-word] in the rousing "Beautiful Me," recalls 1970s Stevie Wonder in the classy "Heaven Sent," and sharply criticizes society's spending habits and likens it to slavery in "Big Black Buck." The music has a vintage, elegant feel; it gives off a genuine, authentic vibe without resorting to overproduction or studio gimmickry. Quite simply, "The Colored Section" makes 27-year-old Donnie a soul brother without peer, and like all good albums, its ample riches gradually reveal themselves after each listen. Classics like "Songs in the Key of Life" and "What's Going On" have weathered trends and quietly earned their reputation as milestones in soul. "The Colored Section" seems destined to follow a similar path. Yup, it's THAT good.