I featured Claude Deuce on a recent post in the Check ‘Em Out series, and added his single, “It Ain’t Over,” to the PunditPlayer so you all could listen. His album, Claude Deuce: Young Elder, is available on Tuesday, July 14th… I wanted to give you a review so you’d save your pennies NOW.
Lately, I’ve felt like many artists (especially new or independent ones) try to conform to whatever is popular in music. And that’s cool, but it means that the audience never gets a sense of who he/she really is, because once the music changes, so does everything about that artist.
Claude Deuce is different. I don’t see him being bound by the musical tastes du jour… he just makes good, timeless music, and everyone else follows suit.
His songwriting and vocals exude a certain confidence– you can tell that he knows who he is, how he writes, how he sings… he’s not figuring this out as he goes, at our expense. And there’s something comforting about an artist who is comfortable in his lane.
He’s written and produced for everyone from Deitrick Haddon to Canton Jones, Izzy to Tonex, and more. The sound of this album is as varied as his musical experience, yet crafted well enough to be a cohesive unit.
Standout tracks for me are numerous. ”4 Who U R” is a melodious song of gratitude, reminiscent of Stevie Wonder’s classic cuts. Still, Claude owns it as his own. “Dont 4 Get,” is an eclectic and acrobatic groove urging us to remain excited about what God has done for us. “What More” has an old skool kinda vibe to it, and it’s hot. “Never Know,” is an acoustic-driven spoken word track, with an infectious hook. And of course, as I posted before, I love his single, “It Ain’t Over”… I could go on, but I need you to trust me and purchase this project.
I am thoroughly impressed with Claude Deuce’s gift and presentation. I think this album is a must-have.
