Customer Reviews

Introducing

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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"Introducing Tortured Soul" is the debut long player from a NYC-based live dance music trio led by drummer Christian Ulrich. Tortured Soul has been putting out releases over the last five years on the Central Park label -- most of which have met with moderate success in underground club circles. This release comprised of the formerly released tracks and seven new cuts is all together a wholy satisfying piece of work. Many may recognized Ulrich's voice from his work with Cooley Hotbox which also features the wonderful Angela Johnson. Ulrich has returned with his own band and the boys have served up a platter of soulful, up-to-the-minute underground grooves that straddle the fence between acid jazz and deep house. The songs on "Introducing" while not complex are thoroughly pleasing, built with a timeless quality that recalls the best of 70's soul music i.e. Stevie Wonder and funk and disco. Tortured Soul songs have simplistic hook laden lyrics, dreamy/summery melodies, well played instrumentation, comprised of real bass, real drums and rhodes and synth keys. With this simple formula, they achieve a full sound and have come up with a number of winning compositions that are instantly memorable. Songs are about love and relationships in their many quises. While there is not a bad song to be found, outstanding tracks include You Found a Way, Fall in Love With Me, How's Your Life, If You Want to Feel Alright and Don't Hold Me Down. Christian Ulrich handles the vocals and he possesses a pleasing voice that recalls the harmony groups and sweet soul singers of the early 70's. I already own the singles and these are prized staples in my collection. Within the album format, the formerly released songs have revived life which really speaks to the quality of Tortured Soul's output. Overall a very satisfying, impressive and soulful introduction.

Makes you shake your groove thing, Takes the soul from the 70's and tastefully combines it with the energy of modern house/techno music. If you are lucky enough to get a chance to see Tortured Soul play, go do it. The rhythms will make you sweat!

We saw TS on a warm summer evening early in July at an outdoor venue during the Montreal Jazz Festival. What a treat for a large appreciative crowd! Just three members in the group but they are flawlessly compatible with wall to wall sound. Drummer and lead vocalist John-Christian Urich, keyboardist Ethan White and bassist Jason Kriveloff staged this summery magic. Urich startled me, a first timer, when he suddenly rose to a falsetto voice during "I Might Do Something Wrong". It's the first and arguably signature track on this disc, although "How's Your Life", my personal favorite, and "Why" are so addictive they demand repetitive play. This is a relentlessly hard driving urban dance club band with layers of R&B and Soul. A club band that loses nothing under the stars. Let's hope TS continues to surprise.

They had me at song #1, Might Do Something Wrong. I went to see them play live, and can't shut up about them. They are for real. Hear the band, and see the band. The true stand-out for me, on the CD and live, is Epic (#6). (They also played a brand new song, and I'm already awaiting the next album.) Once I was able to stop listening to #1, I was treated to a CD that is high-quality throughout. Instant classic, especially if you like acid jazz, house, soul and funk. All that music from a 3-piece band. Brilliant.

I really loved these tracks. The band is a mix between the "Brand New Heavies" and "Jamiroquai".

I caught these boys live one night after the first two tracks I was a customer. They are the real deal! Much in the vain of Ten City from the late 80's this group has a great feel for lyrics and melody. While not every track is a club classic this CD is better than most compilations you will find. Not for nuthin', this CD is as good as any mainstream R & B or "neo-soul". Much respect and success to Tortured Soul. Quite an Introduction it is.

Best 3 Cuts...

#2 How's Your Life?
#4 Fall In Love
#10 If You Wanna Feel Alright

...but for pure chewing satisfaction...

...see them live! They are a REAL 3 piece band with REAL instruments and the music comes even more alive. Especially "I Might Do Something Wrong"

I first encountered TS when they opened up for my fave band of all time, Los Amigos Invisibles, in Baltimore back in Feb. 2005. I arrived late, and I was kicking myself for it. Lead man Christian Ulrich energizes the entire room with his presence -- booming vocals and powerful drums. But the mixture of Ulrich, Ethan White (keyboards) and Jason Kriveloff (bass) as a whole is a simple, yet perfect blend resulting in a unique funky, jazzy, dancey sound.

The only tune on this disc that *didn't* tickle my fancy (much) is "You Found a Way." But that's just me. This leaves nine songs out of ten that I can't get enough of. I constantly put this disc on while driving, and at home when I'm working on the computer. The album gets more infectious with repeated listenings. "How's Your Life?" is my favorite (an easy choice), followed by the close seconds "Why" and "Enjoy it Now." "Epic" is an all-instrumental offering that reminds me a lot of early non-vocal Level 42 tunes (say, like "43").

This disc gets my highest recommendation. And, if you get a chance to see TS in person, don't pass up the opportunity!

OFF THE CHAIN, tried of hearing that word, this trio is off the chain, off the chain off the chain. As soon as I heard the first cut I was hooked and not only that, the whole CD is good to the last drop, people you will not loan, borrow or even let you best friend touch this CD, it sounds like gold, you will love and charish this one for a long time.

I recently saw them perform live at Drive-In Studios in NYC as part of DJ Language's "Real Music for Real People" series. I was instantly moved to buy their album based upon their performance. This album is great, feel-good, happy soul music. It really can alter your mood on a bad day. If you get to see them live, DO IT!!! They were amazing!

I don't write too many reviews on Amazon but this band is something else. I haven't heard super-funky tracks like this is a very, very long time. The music has more grooves than the Brand New Heavies' joints. You won't be disappointed with this one.