Music review: Aloe Blacc – 鈥楲ift Your Spirit鈥�
Aloe Blacc gracefully transforms into a debonair R&B stylist on his third album. 鈥淟ift Your Spirit鈥� signifies the major-label debut for the 35-year-old singer.
Blacc鈥檚 new album continues his tradition of delivering inspiring messages in an infectious manner. With his sophomore release 鈥淕ood Things,鈥� Blacc hit pay dirt with the platinum-selling single 鈥淚 Need a Dollar.鈥�
Blacc, formerly known as Egbert Nathaniel Dawkins III, benefits from the assistance of top-notch producers Pharrell Williams, DJ Khalil and Rock Mafia. As a result of the additional musical muscle, Blacc鈥檚 talents are further revealed and allowed to fully blossom.
I first learned of the multi-talented artist while hearing his suave vocals on 鈥淭he Man鈥� from the Beats by Dre television commercials. Featuring sports figures such as Richard Sherman, Colin Kaepernick and Kevin Garnett, the slick commercial spots were the perfect venue to showcase Blacc鈥檚 inspiring voice.
The other breakout single featured is 鈥淲ake Me Up.鈥� The 2013 worldwide hit was co-written and sung by Blacc with Swedish DJ Avicii. While Avicii released the engaging arrangement on 2013鈥檚 鈥淭rue,鈥� Blacc includes an acoustic version of the song that highlights the singer鈥檚 soulful and impassioned voice.
The charismatic singer shines on a variety of musical styles offered on the new album. Blacc channels the smoothness of Stevie Wonder on 鈥淟ove Is the Answer,鈥� the energy of the Jackson 5 on the gospel-fueled title track and the passion of Richie Havens on the topical 鈥淭icking Bomb.鈥�
Blacc shows his versatility by raising the intensity on the rousing dance number 鈥淐an You Do This,鈥� while slowing it down softly on the sophisticated love song 鈥淩ed Velvet Seat.鈥� 鈥淚t ain鈥檛 what happens to you, it鈥檚 what you do about it,鈥� sings Blacc on 鈥淗ere Today.鈥�
Obviously, the singer understands the importance of living each day to the fullest. 鈥淟ift Your Spirit鈥� is a perfect example of Blacc doing all the right things at this stage of his career. Serving as the opening act for Bruno Mars this summer, Blacc will have the opportunity to lift the spirits of fans across the United States.