Lexisugar: “The Journey” – virtuosity and versatility on either side of the board

Currently there are many names bigger than Lexisugar when it comes to R&B and Soul mass acclamation. This may be because the Nigerian born record producer, audio engineer, musician, singer, songwriter, music consultant and owner of LexiSugar music group, has been working behind the lines, creating instrumentals and soundtracks for artists, movies and TV shows, as well as mixing and mastering records for various clients. It may be that he has had a better handle on staying out of the news than most of his peers, because he is certainly better at his job than most. However no need to fuss and fret, Lexisugar – the graduate of Covenant University Nigeria and Career Recording Connection New York – is going to grab your attention with his new album “The Journey”.

It’s easy to see that a lot of care went into the making of this album. Lexisugar also collaborated with acts like House Studio’s Manny Wellz, Nigerian based soul singer Isaac Gerarlds, as well as T.Nayah, Jisola and Todi to bring more variety and depth to the recording. Along the way he has concocted a jazz-inspired sound that is extravagant without feeling over the top.

There’s hardly a wasted moment to be found on this album. The instrumentation of horns, percussion, guitars, pianos and of course, Lexisugar’s distinctive bass playing, works throughout the record as a great complement to the smooth soulful vocals supplied by Lexisugar and his featured guests.

While some R&B singers can get by on the strength of their voices alone, Lexisugar puts in the extra effort to stand out. He knows how to play to his strengths, and on this album in particular he is really able to reel it in. These songs are carefully crafted exclusively to his fitting, and no one else could satisfy as a substitute.

Lexisugar avoids the usual R&B vocal theatrics, but performs with so much unforced and understated soul and passion that it really is moving. His performances are a felicitous juxtaposition to that of his features.

“The Journey” is focused and consistent. Lexisugar hits the sweet spot and sticks mostly to what works for him, which is slow to mid-tempo odes to love. One thing that will separate Lexisugar from the average R&B composer and crooner is his ability to appeal to listeners who wouldn’t normally find themselves checking into the genre.

His experimentation with different sounds and styles makes his work accessible to just about any fan of music. Theirs is no space for any filler on “The Journey”, as the album is concise. It’s just packed with 7 quality tracks.

Lexisugar captures the intimacy of the R&B, Soul and Jazz genres without sacrificing the core music, which keeps it interesting for everyone. Whether you’ve fallen victim to the sentimental season in your lifer or you’re simply looking for some good music, “The Journey” can be your album.

And it becomes such right from the soulful “All My Love”, which follows the “Intro” track. And the sequences of songs that follow are all stunners that show Lexisugar’s virtuosity and versatility on either side of the board.

The title track, “The Journey” ft. Isaac Gerarlds, harkens back to the days of Marvin Gaye as the rhythm swings steadily and the vocals ring out clear as a bell through its octaves. With a slow and subtle reggae beat “How I Feel” feat. T. Nayah is nothing sort of captivating.

On “One Minute”, Lexisugar croons his devotion, while “I do” feat. Jisola is an uplifting love pledge with its progressive use of chord changes and the duet’s interchanging vocals.

Another track that shines above the rest is the album closer “Count on me” feat. Mannywellz and Todi, which finds its strength in its mainstream urban beat and the variety of appealing vocals present in the arrangement.

All-in-all, Lexisugar showcases his talents on “The Journey” while showing everyone what true R&B and Soul music is about. It’s not the voice, and it’s not the sound. This music is about sharing the core of who you are. And this is who Lexisugar is…so far…