Enter My Mind

Marlon Saunders | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 28, 2003)
• Original Release Date: March 25, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Black Honey Records
• ASIN: B000090PF4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,788 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

The Village Voice

"Marlon Saunders' soulful vocals weave a subliminal spell that works equally well over your home stereo or live and direct"

Product Description

Crooning over a back-in-the-day riff reminiscent of 70s soul, there's nothing "neo" about Marlon Saunders. Blending the intense devotion to groove that made 70s r&b so great with a modern edginess steeped in the powerful spoken word dazzle of hip hop, Saunders recreates a movement without sounding like a knock-off sampler. Which is exactly what he had in mind.

"I want to combine the richness of the 70’s - all of it, the music and psyche of black folks, the sense of beauty and awareness - and incorporate that into what I find unique and special about today’s music," he says. And the emphasis, like his idols Marvin and Stevie and Rufus, will be songwriting. "In r&b music, we need to go back to the basic songwriting," says Saunders. "I was listening to a Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway record the other day and I was amazed at the beauty of it. It’s simple recording in terms of instrumentation, but those sturdy, beautiful songs transcend everything. You can do anything to that music - bop to it, make love to it, hang out with your friends to it, cook a good meal to it. I want my music to have the same effect. Or like the way Curtis Mayfield could marry the groove with the spiritual concept to the lyrics and still keep it ambiguous. I want my music to have that sense of discovery."

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Marlon Saunders >> Good Vocalist - Good Sound <<, April 25, 2003

By 

Anthony Morelli "Woofbear" (Montreal, Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enter My Mind (Audio CD)

I think that Marlon Saunders' voice is mighty fine. He just may be the next "Eprhriam Lewis". Ephriam Lewis was an artist from the 90's, who'd remind you of Seal. Unfortunately, he passed away tragically.

Both Marlon and Ephriam Lewis' style of singing is the same.

I found a bit of jazz, lots of R&B and Soul. It's soothing to say that "Enter my mind" has lots of voices. I enjoy CDs like this. There's nothing too repetitious, or loud. All rythm and vocals. The background vocals are fine too! The only reason why I rated "Enter my mind" 4 stars is because the first track and some others, seemed to have a tinny, enclosed sound. Like they were singing into a cheap microphone. That's my only complaint.
Mind you, the vocals are amazing. These people really feel their music!

Marlon has a lot of talent, both as a solo artist and as a contributing artist on my 2 Jazzhole CDs. I don't buy very much R&B or Soul CDs, because I wouldn't know what to choose. But this is a great addition to my collection.
Normally, I'll buy lots of female artist's CDs, but not look further into the male artists, because they're more or less all the same to me.
Marlon's voice is different. He can SING. And, he has a good range. A man who can sing like this deserves to be heard. That's why I compare him to Ephriam Lewis or Seal. These 3 men all have talent, and are not afraid to let it out.

On "Enter my mind", I don't have a favourite song. They're all good. Right from the start! Track 1 already has a beat, right from when you start the CD. Some albums start out really slow, and you have to scan the album to find rythm.

NOT ON THIS ONE!!!

As a matter of fact, "Enter my mind" seems to go on forever. It's a long album, and worth every penny. It's good to listen to when you have work to do, and need something to keep you on the right track (A spirit booster).

This is the tracklisting:
Enter my mind
You move me
Keep doin' what ya do
For Love

Premonition
Love serenade
Inspiration
Who will go
Afro blue my mind
Coolin'
Given a chance
Stone out of hope
If it's magic (My Favourite track...if there has to be one).
The beginning of never

All artwork on the CD inserts is nice. Marlon's eyes are less visible on the front cover compared to inside. On the front, they look like blackened out. Inside, you can see the finer details. I dig his fur coat! Looks quite good with the hat, for a cover shot.

Well, that's it for the review. I hope this is enough information to help you in your decision to buy it or not.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Love Serenade Filled With Inspiration, June 15, 2003

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Enter My Mind (Audio CD)

A fascinating solo recording from Jazzhole member Marlon Saunders. This solo release is more soul and hip hop flavored than Jazzhole's Circle of the Sun. However the slight shift in style does not make this CD any bit inferior to the pleasing aforementioned Jazzhole recording.

If anything this release seems to utilize a varied approach. There is a good balance of fast and slow tunes. Especially touching is the cover version of Stevie Wonder's If It's Magic. However, I find the grooves on Enter My Mind, Love Serenade, and Afro Blue My Mind very captivating.

This CD may not be a ground breaking event. However, it certainly can be classified as pleasing music that can be both soothing and grooving.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soulful Diva finds this CD uplifting and breathtaking!!!!, June 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Enter My Mind (Audio CD)

This is a CD that finally defines what true soul music is and should be. This brother weaves sensuality along with soulful grooves that make you never want to stop dancing,loving, singing, and just having a good ole time. I never want the CD to end!!!! Keep Doin What Ya Do Baby...We Love It!!!!! My favorites are For love, Premonition, and of course The Beginning of Never...This Soulful Diva says is ya don't know him ya better ask somebody.