Toshi Reagon Albums (5)
'Have You Heard'
Release Date 10/4/2005
Tracks 11
Label Righteous Babe
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What The Critics Say
Toshi Reagon rocks on Toshi, a tight collection of stripped-to-the-bone tracks that go for the throat straight from the heart. Borrowing the Kinks' eternally classic "You Really Got Me" riff on the opening cut "Oh No No," Reagon kicks into high gear, detailing the trials of love and fidelity with melody and fervor. Though the lyrics are laden with passion and angst, the album is an uptempo affair, bolstered via a strong backbeat and Reagon's patented vocal style, which melds blues, soul, gospel, and R&B. Her folk roots emerge in "Big Love," a poignant cut embellished by Catherine Russell on mandolin and bassist Fred Cash, who's upper-register counterpoint provides the perfect foil to Reagon's phrasing. "Ballad of the Broken Word" is a tasteful blues dirge abetted by a cadre of sultry backing vocals and acid guitar leads aplenty. But the kicker is a ballad rendering of the Cars' old hit "Just What I Needed," a duet with Marc Anthony Thompson, who does his best imitation of Leonard Cohen. Another strong outing by an artist who improves with each new release. ~ Tom Semioli, All Music Guide
'The Righteous Ones'
Release Date 1/1/1999
Tracks 14
Label Razor & Tie
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What The Critics Say
Once again, Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Toshi Reagan, who recently signed to independent Razor & Tie, delivers a fine, if unremarkeable, record. On the opener, "Real Love," Reagan sings with an authority and urgency that demands her voice be heard before the track cascades into a funky instrumental rave-up. Yet, despite the solid instrumentation and Reagan's obvious vocal gifts, The Righteous Ones just isn't the melodically memorable, focused album that she needs to release in order to break out of the underground and into the mainstream consciousness. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide
'Kindness'
Release Date 4/22/1997
Tracks 10
Label Smithsonian Folkways
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Because she is an African-American folk-rocker with a liberal, sociopolitical bent, Toshi Reagon has been compared to Tracy Chapman. But in fact, the two don't sound anything alike, and Reagon has an admirable sound and style of her own. The earthy, Brooklyn-based singer/guitarist showed much promise on Justice, which ranges from folk-rock protest songs like "Colors," "Foolish Attitudes," and "We've Got a Right to Choose" to the spirited blues number "How Long" and the reggae-influenced title song. Reagon has spent most of the '90s in obscurity, but hopefully, she will eventually enjoy the type of exposure she deserves. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
