Rick Duff (https://www.rickyduff.com) is making his bones with High Life, a new record from Osean Entertainment, an independent label out of the South. A rapper and R&B artist Rick Duff takes his craft seriously and this is evident with every of the 7 songs on this album. Each is marked by a strong performance, steady arrangements and production, as well as solid compositions. For a new artist this is a very worthy way of breaking into the game.
The title track from High Life is probably the most commercially viable of the lot in today’s market. It starts out with a throwback to the Motown Records sort of sound in its use of the gospel style voicing of the harmonies in the introduction. This really lends a nice sense of soul to the opening 8 measures. Before he even gets on the mic you already have your head gently bobbing and once he starts singing your fingers are popping. A very punchy synth bass line next provides the part you shake your booty to and then you’re off to get your groove on like it’s nobody’s business.
Rick Duff is really keeping it a hundred with what he’s talking about through his music. On My Way he speaks of how you not only have to remember where you’re from but that the way you’re going to get to where you wants to be involves having a little help from your friends. The lesson of being humble and grateful to those who’ve rallied around you is not lost on this striving musician. Even if you have the chops you’re going have your ups and downs, so those are the folks you’ll need in your life to pick you back up again.
Another pick of the litter off of High Life is B&B. For me this is the kind of tune for when you want to turn those lights down low and get busy with that special someone who gets your heart going boom-boom-boom! What I’m trying to say is if you’re going to slow dance to this number than be sure to use some protection unless you’re ready to have those little babies on their way out and into your life. Rick Duff just may be responsible for increasing the population level with music like this. LOL
The remaining 4 cuts on this album are as good as the 3 I’ve already mentioned, so I’d suggest you hear them for yourself (https://soundcloud.com/rick-duff) then form your own opinions. If High Life is the way Rick Duff starts it all off then what he follows it up with should be quite interesting. He’s out of the Houston, Texas, area so if he’s performing around there and any of you are lucky enough to catch him on stage, then holler at me and share your thoughts. Remember, we’re all in this thing together.
