(4 / 5)
The fifth album from L.A.-based neo-soul outfit Moonchild features guests Lalah Hathaway, Alex Isley, Tank and the Bangas, Rapsody, III Camille, Mumu Fresh, Chantae Camm and Josh Johnson.
It’s a winner….the result of a decade that Moonchild’s Amber Navran, Andris Mattson and Max Bryk have worked together. The new album sees Moonchild experimenting with new synths and sounds. While still rooted in their trademark tones, these textures elevates “Starfruit” to new Moonchild musical territory. Their first release featuring collaborations.
The wonderful Jill Scott is a fan of the album, so it’s gotta be good, right?
14 tracks, written, produced, recorded and performed by Moonchild, mixed by Richard Furch. Faultless even sound across all 14 cuts. The bottom end is gorgeous. Recorded in the band’s bedroom’s and a cabin in Lake Arrowhead.
It features the singles “Too Good”, “You Got One” featuring Alex Isley, the album’s opener “Tell Him” (playlisted on BBC 6 Music), featuring Lalah Hathaway, daughter of the late and the great Donny Hathaway, “Love I Need”, featuring Rapsody and the first track released from the album, “Get By”, which is a collaboration with the awesome Tank and the Bangas.
It’s available in CD, black vinyl 2-LP, coloured marble 2-LP and digital. The album reached # six in the US Billboard’s r&b album chart and # seven in Top New Artist Albums chart in the first week of its release.
“This is our 5th album, which felt like a big milestone to us. They (guests) all added their magic touch to the songs and really brought the music to a new and special place”, say the trio. Released by Brighton label TruThoughts. Get it!
By Sally Fox
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’
(3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’ (4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
