While sitting and talking with Oscar Brown one afternoon, it occurred to me how truly quintessential he is. Today, his mind, imagination, interests--especially in technology--are so very contemporary. He is curious about the new, always excited about possiblilities, and new projects that keep him on the creative cutting edge. And, instead of interviewing Oscar, I would up learning so much and feeling totally mesmerized by this creative genius and completely involved in, immersed in and excited about things he felt needed to be done and what he was planning to do. Revisiting the "Sin and Soul" release review provides a bit of insight into the creative, iconic Oscar Brown. And, in listening to the album, it becomes clear that the material on the album is so poignant, so timely, so necessary.

Nokhanya, July, 2005

Oscar Brown Jr is an artist-of -all-trades...and a master of all of them. Oscar is a multi-talented artist; a poet; stage actor (plays include "Raisin," "Big Time Buck White, "Evolution Of The Blues" and "Joy 66"); playwright (including "Oscar Brown Entertains" a one man show, "Joy 66," "Summer In The City" and "Opportunity Please Knock"); TV program host (including "Jazz Scene USA"); and is a highly original and prolific song writer and singer who has written hundreds of songs. Oscar is also an educator, activist, African American historian...and is indeed an artist for all seasons.

Brown's work reflects, relates the black experience through song--including blues and jazz--folklore and humor. The re-release of Sin And Soul...And Then Some, which was originally recorded 20 years ago, includes classics compositions in which Brown ingeniously and magnificently spins and weaves magical sound creations...a multi-artistic soundscape. The piece "Work Song," written by Nat Adderly, recounts the tale of a poor, black man sentenced to working on a chain gang for committing the crime of stealing to feed his children. On the humorous composition "But I Was Cool," which has been a highly favored piece over the years, Brown sings of a sort of "bad luck Joe" who, in spite of his never ending bad luck maintains his cool. "Bid 'Em In" vividly recreates in song the sights and sound of a slave auction.

"Signifying Monkey" is a hip tale of a bragging, lying monkey who perched safely in a tree, takes on the king of the jungle (who says to the monkey, you're "Always lying and and a signifying but you better not monkey with me"). "Dat Dere" talks of a wonderfully inquisitive young lad who is constantly asking his father tons of questions about everything under the sun ("Hey daddy what's that there?...And daddy where do we get air?...Hey daddy can I have that big elephant over there?"). "Mr. Kicks" is an upbeat tale about a devil of a trickster ("Full of wicked tricks") who is looking for souls to entice into sinful escapades.

"Brown Baby" is a poignant, sensitive song in which a father sings to his offspring and relates the futures hopes and desires he has for his child. "Afro Blue" written by Mongo Santamaria, is beautifully performed, passionate, percussion accented piece. Oscar's hip, rhythmic version of "Straighten Up And Fly Right," "Afro Blue," "Mr. Kicks," "Hazel Hips," and "World Of Grey" are additions to the original release of Sin And Soul.

Oscar Brown, a living legend of music, of the arts, of activism...is back on the scene and in his inimical way is serving up some excellent creations that inform forthrightly--and entertain marvelously,soulfully, coolly, hiply.

Nokhanya, July 2005

Columbia, 1996