Greyboy
Soul Mosaic
Album · Jazz · 2000
DJ Greyboy pushes his music in new directions here, creating a slate of sharp, focused contemporary soul songs. The hip-hop, acid jazz, and funk foundation is still in place, and Greyboy builds gracefully on it, filling the program with tempting pop hooks and giving the whole album a smooth sheen. An array of singers, MCs, and turntablists are on board to help him fulfill his vision. The opening "Genevieve," with Bart Davenport supplying the vocals, has a popping bass line, supple beats, and wouldn't be out of place on a modern R&B playlist. While cuts such as "Son-Ray" and "Bronson" call to mind Greyboy's earlier work with their innovative futuristic grooves and studio trickery, "Got to Be a Love" and "Gotta Stand for Something" are straight-ahead funk workouts designed for the dance floor. This is Greyboy's most accessible release to date, proving that a little structure and polish don't need to come at the expense of soul.