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Artist: The McKenzie Burns Project
Album: "The McKenzie Burns Project"
CD Review: Grade Scale 1 low to 10 high

Genre: R&B/Jazz/Neo Soul
Sounds Like: N II U/Pieces Of A Dream
Technical Grade: 8
Production/Musicianship Grade: 8
Commercial Value: 7
Overall Talent Level: 7
Songwriting Skills: 7
Performance Skill: 7
Best Songs: Make My Days Go By, Charisse, This Funky Groove, Stay With Me
Weakness: Limited range by lead vocalist
CD Review: It's refreshing to find some brothers that are talented enough to interject personality into their music, while simultaneously displaying the expertise and skills that are required to make creative and competitive product. It's very obvious that the guys in The McKenzie Burns Project have been around the block a couple of times. During each trip they were exposed to different experiences and influences that prominently manifest in their mulit-layered and multi-dimensional music compostions, which are built on a solid jazz foundation. Songs like "Brazilian Love Affair" and "Stay With Me" conjour up memories of Sergio Mendes.

What this project is lacking is serious vocal power. The background vocals are lush and nicely arranged, and the production builds and benefits from good song structure throughout, but you just get the feeling that the male vocals can't fully accomodate or complement them. Nevertheless, they do a great job of working with what they have.

Advice: Stretch those lead vocals! Other than that, I look forward to hearing more from The McKenzie Burns Project in the future.

http://www.mckenzieburns.com