Customer Reviews

In This Life Together

5 star:		(63)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

R&B is already a super competitive market, although some music industry analysts would probably disagree with that statement. The list is endless when you think about all the soul artists that tried to even catch a break or those that managed to get one or two hit singles only to have lackluster sales and dropped from their labels. That's one thing that I love about Hidden Beach Recordings. Their whole focus is to get the word out about new artists and actually build a career instead of looking for somebody with one hot song that will generate millions of dollars in revenue for the company. From Jill Scott to Lina to the Unwrapped collections, Hidden Beach has done an outstanding job of actually standing behind the careers of their artists. Thus is the case for Kindred, a husband-and-wife team who had modest success with their debut album Surrender To Love with the hit song "Far Away" and the modest success of the second single "Stars." An expansion of the style of music they introduced on their first album, the dynamic duo returns with the album In This Life Together.

The group has a knack for making some of the best 'Grown and Sexy' music there is to enjoy out here. "Thru Love" is a great example of the quality that Aja and Fatin have put in their body of work. Another classic couple song entitled "In This Life Together" has Aja and Fatin trading verses on how much the other has meant to them. "Woman First" is a good song from Aja for any lady out there that doesn't know her worth in the world to embrace. "Where Would I Be" is the first single from the album, and begs the question that many couples ask themselves from time to time. "As Of Yet" is a song that reflects on the goals that everybody wishes to attain one day. This sentiment continues on "Struggle No More" with the help of Grammy Award-winning artist India.Arie and the introspective song "Who's Gonna Comfort You."

But Kindred has other elements to their style besides those mentioned previously. "Message To Marvin" is sort of like the 2005 version of Marvin Gaye's "What's Goin' On" and "Mercy, Mercy Me" with an emphasis on relaying to the late R&B crooner that things haven't changed at all since the recording of his song. From being carted off to a worthless war to the silly shenanigans that we see all the time with celebrities and people on the streets, "Message To Marvin" is a song that needs to be heard by the masses. They also change up and do more entertaining songs like "Turn It Up" with rapper Archie Eversoul and the hilarious "Sneak A Freak" where they tell a story of having to creep around just to get a little nookie after putting the kids to bed!

The rest of the album has conventional Kindred songs that most will tie closely with Surrender To Love, like "Do You Remember," "Let It All Go," and "My Time" where they include their children towards the end of the disc. But by no means are these below average songs, but rather the sound we are more accustom to hearing from Aja and Fatin. Hopefully In This Life Together will prove to be a breakout album for a group that is most deserving of everybody's attention. And if you ever get a chance to see Kindred in concert like my wife and I did two years ago, you're in for a real treat...but be sure to go with a significant other to get the whole experience.

Hidden Beach recording artists Kindred-The Family Soul are back with a brand new CD. Kindred released their debut CD several years ago. The disc was critically acclaimed and the husband and wife duo won a legion of fans--especially among "the grown folks." Kindred The Family Soul don't sing songs about kicking it at the club, sitting on spinners, and every other song doesn't feature the hottest rapper of the moment.

Kindred picked up where they left off with their latest CD In This Life Together. The songs on this CD seem very personal to Aja and her husband and partner Fatim. The current single and one of the most reflective songs on the album is "Where Would I Be-The Question" in which Fatin ponders what his life would be like if he had never met his mate. Any couple can reflect on this question. The themes on the album are truly family oriented. "Sneak A Freak" tackles the common but little talked about issue of couples trying to find intimate time with one another. When Fatin sings, "Put the kids to bed," most couples with children will be able to relate. On the song "Woman First" Aja praises the way her man makes her feel. The song "Let It All Go" is a bit much for me but it's a great song about a man who has many burdens on his shoulders. Everytime I hear it I picture a grown man crying and I'm just not into that kinda thing. It's a great CD about love, life and family. Guest artists on the album include India Arie and Archie Eversoul. The CD jacket includes all of the lyrics, which is a good thing. They are a really great group, it's unfortunate they don't get more exposure in the entertainment industry.

PEACE:

You know how great a new group's FIRST CD is? You get so excited when you hear they have a second one coming out, then too many times, you are like "YUCK!" Well, NOT THE CASE with Kindred's second CD!

It's really PAST TIME for a Black group to come out with some PRO-family, PRO-commitment, PRO-monogamy lyrics. Then they have the NERVE to be husband and wife!? This is a wonderful and refreshing change from that sea of "booty music" that seems to top the charts.

I highly recommend this "family friendly" CD. Even if it's just you listening to it alone in your car, your brain will thank you!

Go 'head Aja and Fatin! May God BLESS YOU to make beautiful music together for many many years to come! (And feel free to record it all and share it with the world).

LM

This New album is great! I'm still trying my best to put people on to them. The last album made me so excited to have purchased something with such great meaning. But this album did something completely different...It touched my parents. My mother told me to stop the cd, because it made her emotional. I asked her why and she said... "This group is us. Me and your Father, they are doing what we did years ago. But we didn't continue our dream." Just that statement lets me futher know how Kindred's music has such effect on lovers of music.

I think this album is great! Some of my favorite songs are "Thru Love", Where would I be", "Woman First" Let it all Go", "Az of yet" and many more. This is worth the purchase and worth telling someone else about it. Go get this if you are a true music lover. Kindred keep blessing this Industry with good music!
Peace...

In this life together is a stunning 2nd release from this duo, I just want to know why isn't Hidden Beach doing more to promote this great cd. Not one bad song this is one cd you can play over and over I will continue to buy what I call underground soul...Can't wait for the next release from this duo that I love soooooooooooo much you go Kindred & The Family Soul....Thumbs up on a first rate cd.

Okay...HB get your stuff together. Kindred is definately one of the hottest things you have going right now and nobody...i mean nobody knew their album was dropping. I just happened to see it while I was looking form something else at my favorite music shop. Hardwork like this deserves some promotion.

As for the cd...I dont know where to start. I love the first album ( I still play it and dance around with my fiance and sing along with it to her) but it's now going to be sharing...more like giving up a lot of playing time to this album. I dont think there is a song on here that I have to skip...might be one or two that i'll go past depending on the mood but for the main part I love this cd. This is real music...real love music. These two are truly in love with one another and you can tell by the way the songs are composed and their voices mesh to compliment each other opposed to trying to secretly outdo each other (lattimore/moore). This album has songs that may let your significant other know how you feel about them if you are having problems getting it out or you just dont have the time to say it. I let my lady listen to this the other day on her way to work and she wouldn't get out without the cd. I haven't gotten it back now that I think about it...Oh well. this cd is good enought that I may just go out and buy another copy. Support Kindred since it seems as if HB doesn't have the time. Tell all you family and friends about it...contact your local radio station and beg them to play one of the tracks just to get the exposure out there. I'd love to see them go at least double gold.

MUST HAVE FOR ANYBODY WHO IS A FAN OF REAL MUSIC!!!

Though most R&B music is pallid and anemic in terms of subject matter, I am elated that Kindred has a new album out and goes against this grain. This will certainly garner Kindred new fans and keep their already-in-place fanbase solid.

Melodically complex, IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER covers a lot of the elements of life, the "small stuff" which keeps us moving on, pushing upward, and encouraging us all to be our best selves for ourselves as well as for our significant others, and those we love deeply.

Check out "Woman First," "Turn It Up," and "Where Would I Be (The Question) ... these songs alone are worth the price!

If you enjoy soulful music, then Kindred's newest "IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER," will be a much-played addition to your collection!

Peace ...

Fatin Dantzler and Aja Graydon comprise the husband/wife duo Kindred the family soul, much like Womack and Womack. 'In this life together' is their brilliant, largely autobiographical sophomore disc.

Deep reflective lyrics dealing with different aspects of their relationship, and music heavily influenced by 70s soul; Marvin Gaye especially. It is an outstanding CD but I've tried to pick a few songs that reflect what they are all about.

Opening track 'Thru love' is a gentle funky number, with lyrics about getting thru love, peace, pain, by being there for each other.

'Woman first' is a tender ballad about feeling different since having kids, coupled with working, and keeping up the home front, and how he always makes her feel like a woman.

The very retro horn-drenched funk of 'Sneak a freak' will have you picturing huge afros, tight tops, bell bottoms and platforms. With lyrics about putting the kids to bed so they can 'sneak a freak'! Outstanding.

'Message to Marvin' is a midtempo song which sees then writing to Marvin Gaye, telling him not much has changed since he's been gone; wars, violence on the streets, Michael Jackson's trial, drugs, etc. 'What the hell is going on' they ask.

'Who's gonna comfort you (Definition)' is a midtempo jam with a fuzzy funky bassline, and lyrics about how they comfort each other in times of trouble and struggle.

My favourite track has got to be the sunny, lilting, piano sprinkled 'My time', a declaration of self belief. I can do anything if I believe, I'm ready, it's my time.

Closing track 'Bed time story' is a tender ballad written as a bedtime story to their kids, talking about the love their parents have for each other, and for the kids, and how they are a product of love.

Simply outstanding! I look forward to more from them.

It is a home run, a superb collection of grown folk's music. No bubble gum, over ladden hooks or simple, silly lyrics. Oh no, not for these two! Can't wait to see them hit these songs off live and in person. They are terrific upclose and personal, so given the opportunity to see them, don't hesitate.

Back to this project: I so appreciate the beauty in their music and I revel in its realness, its rhythm and rhyme of love and the fabric of family woven throughout. It is apparent they took great care in selecting these songs for us. In fact, the apparent care they took and cultivated is not only evident, it is completely palpable.

Great, great song selections here folks, but I readily admit the song "Woman First" washed over me in waves and drenched me in truth. It is powerful not only in its delivery, but also in its content. Absolutely astounding standout. It tells you, to know your worth ladies and to set a high price. Aja let's you know there is nothing wrong with that.

A host of other great tunes all over the place: My other favorites: "Thru Love," is slamming. "Struggle No More," should get some definite airplaty. "In This Life Together," Aja and Fatin at their great coupledom! And the first song released off the Cd: "Where Would I Be," a song for long time lovers and most importantly friends. You've gone through the fire with each other, want to show your appreciation and acknowledge the love, as well as the journey. Cop this folks...spend the dime...it's well worth the investment of your hard earned dollars.

Once again, welcome back Kindred and thanks again for delivering and giving us solid, silky soul music.

THE HUSBAND-WIFE DUO KINDRED HAS DONE IT AGAIN!!! THIS IS A GREAT ALBUM, BEAUTIFUL AND REFRESHING. IF YOU LIKED SURRENDER TO LOVE, THIS IS THE NEXT LEVEL. THIS ALBUM HAS VERY DIFFERENT MUSIC AND LYRICAL CONTENT FROM THE FIRST ALBUM...BUT THE ENERGY AND LOVE IS DEFINITELY THERE. MY PERSONAL FAVORITES ARE BEDTIME STORY AND WHERE WOULD I BE.
OTHER GREAT SONGS ARE DO YOU REMEMBER, WOMAN FIRST, LET IT ALL GO, STRUGGLE NO MORE, IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER, AND THRU LOVE. THE WHOLE ALBUM REALLY IS GOOD!!! A MUST HAVE.