MICHON YOUNG and Roc Steady Band

Should one try to pigeonhole this album, the artist reminds us that, oftentimes, it simply can’t be done. As she says, “I have always believed that music is love. It is universal. It can soothe the soul, bring tears to your eyes or simply just place you in a reflective state.”So, with that in mind, and while one might try to classify this as R&B for whatever purpose, this debut release from vocalist/composer Michon Young entitled Love, Life, Experiences was too compelling for us to ignore because it is, first and foremost, music. Good music. If you simply must identify with a specific genre, keep in mind that this is not your typical neo-soul or modern day or even old school R&B. This album comes packed with plenty of eclectic vibes (gospel, soul, and even a touch of poetry) and body. Its thick and melodic persona is clearly not to be disregarded. The vocals, at times, a bit reminiscent of early Leela James, are strong and strike directly at your core. Again, this is music. The lead track here, “Feeling Alright” (no, not that “Feelin’ Alright” classic but Young’s own original), possesses a bit of African charm to go with its poetic gospel feel, a bit of that Sweet Honey In the Rock touch. Other tracks of note include the mid-tempo, snappy, and bass-heavy “So Glad,” the catchy, sauntering “Count It a Lesson,” the sassy, finger-poppin’ “Ooh,” the coolly funky and equally seductive “Something About You” (love the vocal harmony), and the embracingly sexy, downtempo “Heart Led Me to You” and “Love On Me” Oh, that’s just for starters. There’s also the infectious head-boppin’ “Can’t Do This No More,” the delicious “Undivided Attention,” and the oh-so-beautiful “Love Makes You.”
Truth be told, one will be very hard-pressed to find a single mediocre track here. In listening to this pearl, you will quickly see why we just had to share it with our audience. Simply groove to the heart of this one. It’s overflowing with love. A stellar A++ debut. – Ronald Jackson
  - Smooth Jazz Ride

The first time I heard Michon Young singing was on a UK radio show on the Internet in July 2016, and I was instantly impressed. It was a track titled Something about You, which was available at CD Baby and I downloaded the track and still rate it as the best soul track in 2006. I would describe this track as Impromp2 meets Anita Baker; the song contains superb trumpet soloing (played by T.L. Williams) plus a meaty bass line, over which Michon sings like Anita Baker or Phyllis Hyman during their heyday.I was delighted to note that Chris Wells of Echoes Magazine interviewed Michon as soon as the album was out, and placed Michon on the front cover of Echoes. Chis started his introducion of Michon by stating that "No two ways about it, Michon Young sounds a lot like Anita Baker. Not all the time, sure, and never to the point where it feels it's merely an imitation - yet the influence is - pleasingly - there, nonetheless."

Indeed, Michon has the Anita flavour in her deep and mature voice, yet her music is more "up-to-date" and closer to Impromp2 type of meaty soul & funk, based on real instruments. What is the best thing on the new album, even the most modern cuts are more than tasteful, builing an instant, compelling groove by superb musicians, the melodies are ALL new and very high standard - and yes, there are string of extremely soulful ballads for those who were hungry for her moody ballad interpretations in the Anita mode.

However, I hasten to add that the album is not a retro-soul album sounding something that was recorded 20-40 years ago, instead it sounds very fresh - but this is the type of music I would love Anita Baker to record today - if she were active again! Maybe the funkiest cuts like the glorious bass-driven swayer Count It a Lesson is something Anita would never had recorded - but I just love this robust funk sound behind Michon wonderful vocals. One of the best tunes I've heard this year!
Other great personal favorites on the album include the delicious laid-back midtempo floater So Glad - I simply adore the keyboard work by Marvin Thompson, the fat bass by Jason Phelps and superb real drumming by Marquis Johnson. The composition is a real grower that sounds better with each play - not to mention the absolutely stunning vocal delivery by Michon. A much more instant groover is Oooh, which also seems to be the most played track (after the single release Something about You) on Spotify. The percussion work by Jurrell McNair is spectacular and there is a touch of trumpet, too - maybe Michon should really recruit Johnny Britt (of Impromp2) on her next album!

The most obvious Anita Baker -influenced ballad on the album is a tune entitled Love on Me, which Chris Wells already compared to The Best Thing Yet, and I'm sure the devoted Baker fans would also love tracks like Colorless Tears, Everyday and Love Makes You, although the musical setting on those tunes is not even close to the mid-80s sounds of The Rapture period.

A strong contender for the album of the year in 2017. - Soul Express Magazine