Music Review 2009

With its '90s R&B moves and his braided hair vibe, LJ Ugarte's debut single, wore its old school on its sleeve. In the course of two singles, LJ has vaulted from wanting to re-create the mood of vintage soul to wanting to make his own combination of Maxwell and Eric Benet These two singles mark the return of the retro-soul movement that began taking shape several years ago. LJ is aiming to return soul to a headier, more opulent era. Some new Hip Hop and R&B artist revel in a sometimes brazen, sometimes vulgar fusion of hip-hop and old-school-soul pleading. LJ aspires to bring more candlelight, positivity, and sonic luxuriousness to modern R&B. I Believe In Love and Gambling Girl makes good on those intentions. LJ places his songs and malleable croon on a plush bed of lightly pulsating beats, wah-wah guitars, and caressing keyboards. A string section adds sensual accents; Latin inflections, like congas and the hint of salsa-fied horns, dart in and out. That said, you barely notice individual players. What LJ has created is the sound of a large, muted soul orchestra, with the singer's buttery, falsetto-leaning throat serving as just another instrument. A sensitive, New Age soul man, LJ wants to make music for the bedroom and brain. He keeps his voice at a simmer; there's probably never been a more unassuming R&B singer. You can judge for yourself. You can check LJ out on his myspace page and listen to his music. You can also keep up with his budding film career. LJ is one to watch