Michaelangelo Kudo is the singer-songwriter, dancer and actor of the group known as Sho Sho Kudo Music – a unique musical collective that was founded in 2013. Kudo applies his craft in a range of crossover genres which include pop, R&B, funk, soul, rock, blues, gospel and his main influence African music. Michaelangelo is influenced by artists such as Matou Samuel, Aime Nkanu, Michael Jackson, Chris Brown, James Brown, Ne-Yo, Usher and Bruno Mars. He has also founded his own label “MK15 Productions” which is an official subsidiary of “Sho Sho Kudo Music”.
Michaelangelo Kudo has officially released his 16 track album entitled “Thoughts Of A Virgin”. The first thing that strikes one’s attention when opening the album stream is the disclaimer notes that Kudo lays out for listeners: “It is with strict importance that I remind all of my fans as well as anyone both young and old listening to this album, that it is not in any way/shape/or form meant to come off as misogynistic or however the listener may feel might make them feel any type of way. So, for that I would like to apologize in advance…” And when you press play on the first track, you’ll quickly understand why.
“Activate Your Sex” opens the album with a barrage of explicit sexual innuendo that would make a sailor blush. If you’re the prudish type, bear in mind that this is only the tip of the iceberg. As started in the disclaimer Kudo says of the tracks here: “I wanted to express the inner “sexual frustrations” that I’ve been holding back for such a long time…” And that’s exactly what he does over a series of high energy banging beats and slow burners.
You only have to read the song titles to understand the direction each track will be taking – “Get Your Sexy On (feat. Ines Garcia)”, “Whine”, “Fuck Me”, “I Touch Myself”, “Desire” and “Stallion”, among them.
Though heavily sexed up, this album has much more to offer as Kudo is not afraid to wear his influences on his sleeve. This is a well-made album with the essence of the old school. If you can’t appreciate where music came from, you probably won’t appreciate this album. But if you’re a true music lover, you would get it.
Here you will find arrangements with plenty of melody, brass instruments and vocal harmonies that are otherwise rare items in the current pop scene. The music on this album is appealing to different demographics and has a variety of styles to listen to – from ballads to dance music and everything in between. Michaelangelo Kudo is clearly a talented performer…whether or not you agree with the explicit material or not.
My personal favorite tracks are “Let Me Show You The Way To Go (Refix)”, “Somebody Save Me” and “Beautiful Pain”, mainly because I’m a sucker for a ballad, and secondly because Kudo’s delicately gentle vocal tones are more emotional and captivating on slower numbers, in my opinion.
To be honest, Michael Jackson had the same effect on me. Notwithstanding his massive number of dance hits, it is his slower songs that I adore and remember most. Liberian Girl, You Are Not Alone, Gone Too Soon, etc. On “Thoughts Of A Virgin” you will find slick and shiny numbers, you will find tons of hooks, strong choruses and some effortlessly cool stuff to chill or dance too.
Mainly though you will find Michaelangelo Kudo focused and fussed at mining the music he loves, while examining the subject of his inner turmoil. The overall effort sounds good, highly-crafted and polished.
Download the “Thoughts Of A Virgin” album on SoundCloud here: http://bit.ly/2kmJKw5
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