Werd to both reviews.

Thanks for giving CGI his proper due.

Peaces.

Great Review - great album - here is my "take":
Can something already so good get even better? Apparantly so as Marc Anthony Thompson returns for the third Chocolate Genius Inc. record "Black Yankee Rock". CGI fans already aware of the "genius" of Marc's lyrics and the wide range of auditory soul food (different styles) available on the Chocolate Genius menu will dig right in from the opening groove of Beginning of Always all the way thru. New fans (and given a listen I don't know how anyone wouldn't be) will certainly dig back thru the CGI catalog after they fall in love with Black Yankee Rock. Some familiar titles (Tomboyrockstar, Forever Everyone, The Yes Eye, Same Time Tomorrow) take on new vibrant lives...and for the real Hope Is a Muscle old schoolers (Yuka Honda and Dougie Bowne) Amazona and Down So Low. The Chocolate Planet rolls with a supporting cast which includes the amazing Meshell Ndegeocello, Stuart Matthewman (Sade, Sweetback, Cottonbelly), Roy Nathanson (Jazz Passengers), Marc Ribot, Toshi Reagon, Glenn Patscha and CGI stalwarts Abe Laboriel Jr. and Oren Bloedow - and did I mention Vinia Mojica (de la soul, tribe called quest, cibo matto) - Vinia is like the icing on the cake.

Chocolate Genius Inc. has made perhaps a perfect record. The whole CD flows and it is hard to pick high points relative to something with no real low points - but standouts for me are It's Going Wrong (co-written with Moby) and CGI's Chasing Strange - which Marc wrote and also appears on Lizz Wrights Dreaming Wide Awake CD, released earlier this year (a second MAT penned song is on that album as well). As if all of this were not enough - the album is produced by Craig Street (Norah Jones, Cassandra Wilson, Lizz Wright, etc..)

But at the core of it is Marc Anthony Thompson and classic Chocolate Genius Incorporated. A severely overlooked and underappreciated artist whose impressive resume has spanned 3 decades. I have been anticipating the release of this album for over a year - and you know how sometimes it is so hard to live up to the bottled-up hype? Well on this one - I was even more impressed then perhaps I had even expected. Thank U MoeTee and Chocolate Genius Incorporated. Roll on chocolate planet and EVERYONE - please give it a listen - the planet is always accepting immigration applications to have you leave your world of boring and predictable and join the CGI-Party.

Hot on the heels of this week's release 'Black Yankee Rock' comes buddah05's review of this talented artist's new album. Can we please give a nice round of applause for buddah05's first review.. Welcome among us!

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Chocolate Genius Inc – ‘Black Yankee Rock’ (Commotion Records)

Belying what lies beyond the exterior slip sleeve ‘Black Yankee Rock’ turns out to be a complete misnomer. Although the disc begins with the pseudo T-Rex, glam rock fuelled “The Beginning of Always,” a track of soothing yet jaunty nature, I was very surprised by the subsequent tracks thereafter. In both the broadminded variety and bravery of track selection this disc is impressive.

“Amazona” is a multi layered, shimmering and soulful vocal gem that Changes pace and style numerous times and defies categorization. “The Yes Eye” is a jazzy mid tempo ballad that allows Chocolate Genius Inc a.k.a. Marc Anthony Thompson to really show his careful song construction and delicate yet gravel tinged vocal skills. I had huge trepidation about “Tommyboy Rock Star” purely based on the title but it was a mid tempo beautifully played life tale to my surprise.

At this point I was ready for anything yet expected nothing but variety and quality. Track number five “Chasing Strange” is quite reminiscent of The Eels at there best, but with a modern blues twist. Halfway through the disc the tempo drops on the track “Down So Low,” tingling blues taking you through the author’s despair in a late night bar and hear his regret in its full color. “Rats Under Waterfalls” is a military waltz of types with unique sonic interludes that threaten to break into drum’n bass or dub before settling back into the dreamy guise of the waltz again and lulling your senses.

Track nine “Cry” provided the only real dip in the album for me. Just a gentle ballad but ultimately a little unimaginative when compared to the rest. Track ten is what the disc's title promises a fantastic uplifting pop single. Building layer upon layer of instrumental accompaniment. A completely classic four minutes of genre bending music. Finally ' Same time tomorrow' is a piano led vocal cut which ends the album tinged in Parisian flavour using accordion to great effect.

Overall I was very impressed by the whole package. In collecting the finest session musicians to back his undoubted lyrical talent, the disc has quality running though its masterful production and musicianship. It allows Thompson to indulge his musical fancy and produce a lucky bag of such eclectic nature that I cannot imagine anyone failing to find a little something they appreciated. I would highly recommend it and that would be across the board not just to the cognoscenti either.

Lastly, I would like to also mention that the quality even seeps through to the packaging and CD design that is arresting, minimal and intriguing just topping off a rewarding and utterly stylish package.


Reviewed by Giant Step contributor Paul Knight (buddah05)
October 2005
View buddah05’s profile: www.giantstep.net