I had the pleasure of seeing G-SOUL that night. When they fired up their first set, I compared the feeling to walking into a cool neighborhood corner bar in New Orleans and hearing a phenomenal band that I'd never heard of before. I wouldn't say it was a surprise, because I'd already heard around town that Jazziz C's gets great musicians, but it was definitely the icing on the cake. The smooth, funky sounds of the five-piece G-SOUL put my mind in Big Easy mode, having much respect for good, underground grooves. All great bands can transport you musically, and this was no exception.
The Birmingham-based band began when UAB students Joseph Hill (saxophone and vocals), Taylor Propp (bass guitar) and Marlon Spears (keyboard) met in college through the music program. Hill and Propp were in the marching band. They decided to branch out with their talents and form a band that was contemporary and original. The rest of the band was a mix over time. Their original drummer, Dr. Carl Whiting, juggled UAB medical school and the band before graduating and moving to Mobile for practice. That's pretty impressive. Regardless, I can tell you from experience that G-SOUL is comprised of some great players still. Donnell Square came on for drums and vocals, and he recruited their newest addition, William Lewis on guitar and vocals. The guys are a fantastic mix, and their range of styles and talents make G-SOUL a top-notch band.
"We can rock a college crowd with Top 10 Billboard songs, but then we can go to a wedding reception and play straight jazz," says front man Hill. "We're very versatile, and that's one thing I like so much about G-SOUL."
G-SOUL can take current hits in rap, such as Outkast, and do jazz versions of them, while a lot of rap bands sample straight-forward jazz or blues songs in their music. It all goes hand-in-hand, and Hill's influences are broad. His father was with RCA Records throughout his childhood as a member of Main Ingredient (You may know Cuba Gooding, Jr. – his father Cuba Gooding, Sr. was the lead singer), and throughout their success, perhaps their most known hit is "Everybody Plays a Fool" which was covered by the Neville Brothers.
Hill's father has always been in the ministry, as well as playing keyboards and songwriting. Their family was from Mobile primarily, but Hill lived in Detroit from the age of 8 to 13. This was a key time in his life for music influence. He wasn't really allowed to listen to Motown or R&B, but as any American youngster, he snuck off and did so anyway. It was the 80s, and his vices were the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, especially Donny Hathaway and even hip-hop music.
Before his education at UAB, Hill went to Piney Woods Country Life School. It is an all-black boarding school in rural Mississippi with high standards for its students, as well as a record of excellence. Hill says with classmates from all over the world such as Africa, Haiti, D.C., California and Chicago, he was able to learn a lot about different cultures and diversity that many high school students don't get to experience.
It seems he definitely has an eye for companions. G-SOUL is a compilation of the best around. Square keeps a tight and solid beat on the drums while contributing to vocals and always making eye contact with fans – that's a lot of multi-tasking! Propp plays a challenging five-string bass and slaps it silly, really giving the band that bottom line of funk. Lewis is tried and true on the guitar, serious as can be with a lovable quality about him, also contributing vocals. Spears has risen against odds as a blind keyboard player who picked up music in his teens. He knows every riff, trick and effect in the book… then some. Hill wails a slick lead and plays sax in addition to a special treat of EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument), which he broke out during my request of "Superstition" that just about had everyone on their knees. (Note: When I asked if they knew it, they were so nonchalant about doing it… It was the best cover of that song I have ever heard!)
Each of the guys in G-SOUL play at their respective churches. In addition to music, Square works in education and Lewis in construction. They all hope to expand their scene nationwide. So far, they've gone as far as Atlanta, New Orleans and Tennessee. Boy, is the rest of the world missing out! However, G-SOUL has been recognized to open for acts such as Kirk Franklin, Vicky Wynens, Deborah Cox, Clarence Carter, Foxy Brown and Michael McDonald. They have sent their music to several record companies and have gotten very positive responses.
G-SOUL's first album The Fire is incredible (I know this because I lucked out when they gave me a copy). It's available at cdbaby.com/cd/gsoul. Spears recently released a solo album called Givin' that can be purchased at www.marlonspears.com. G-SOUL has a new CD in the works that they have recorded at Instant Karma Studios in Birmingham, but the final product will be mixed in Hill's home studio. After all, that's what Hill, Propp and Spears studied in college. It's not your average home project – these guys know what they're doing! The tentative release date is mid-August.
You have to get out to see these guys. I'm serious. GO! As much as I enjoy live music, it's not often I get a quick attachment to a group, but I have with G-SOUL. I'm hooked. And their attitude is as cool as their tunes.
"We just love playing in front of a crowd and hope people will come hear us and have a good time," says Hill. "Please support local artists, whether it's us or anyone else."
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