Billboard Magazine
On the duo front, get your fix for adult soul music with a live vibe via Brown Baby Girl (BBG Spot Records). The pair - musician/composer Jamie Finegan, son of Grammy Award-nominated composer/arranger Bill Finegan and singer/songwriter Lorenda Robinson - released their self-titled debut CD earlier this year.
Brown Baby Girl's simple yet warm mix of jazz grooves and soulful vocals comes together on such tracks as “Stay” and the memorable ballad “Been Here Before.” The acts subtle originality calls into play the members varied backgrounds...
• Gail Mitchell
Jamie Finegan and Lorenda Robinson make beautiful music together! When this duo wrote their first song together, “Ignorant Bliss,” the foundation was laid for Brown Baby Girl. Brown Baby Girl’s sound is a cool mixture of nu-jazz, jazz, R&B, soul and pure bliss! The collaboration of Jamie and Lorenda go together like hand in glove. Lorenda’s smooth and seductive vocals are easy to listen to and even easier to fall in love with. Combine that talent with Jamie’s composing, arranging, trumpet and piano work and you have true inspiration.
• Susan L. Lozinak, JazzReview.com
Brown Baby Girl just does it for me. Their poetic nature and the prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly, they’re not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artists from their original vision.
• Rob Young, Contemporaryjazz.com
Combining authentic jazz vibes with Lorenda Robinson's soulful vocals, the album successfully walks a fine line and accomplishes something that few acts can: creating a soulful, jazzy collection that is smooth without being smooth jazz.
• Chris Rizik, Soultracks.com
The duo's self-titled debut shines from start to finish, as Lorenda's voice and affecting songwriting take center stage throughout the 13-song set. One listen to Brown Baby Girl's debut reveals that there's nothing programmed or processed about this record • just flawless vocals, supreme musicianship, and solid production.
• Deborah Hines, Planet Soul
The fundamental qualities of this jewel are simply supreme! What I find most intriguing about Brown Baby Girl is that, Lorenda envelopes you with her warm vocals, and irresistible lyrics anchored by the savoring instrumentation of Jamie Finegan and the crew. Brown Baby Girl just does for me, their poetic nature and prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly they’re not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artist from their original vision.
• Rob Young, The Urban Music Scene
Outstanding jazz-tinged soul album with an edge from BBG (Lorenda Robinson vocals and Jamie Finegan Keyboards/trumpet, aided by other musicians). Lorenda's powerful jazzy but soulful vocals are great throughout and the music really grooves (think Lesette Wilson)...This is an album to really get into as it gets better with each play.
• Laurence Prangell, Soul Brother Records
This album is beyond genres • it’s both universal and timeless. Brown Baby Girl is like setting Nikki Giovanni and Gwendolyn Brooks to the sounds of John Coltrane and Max Roach.
• AyeJay, ArtHaus NYC
Lorenda's voice should be prescribed to soothe the ear! One listen and her rich, warm tone...set like a precious gem in these beautiful “Brown Baby Girl” arrangements...and you'll be sold! BBG is universal, international, and irresistible!
• James Day, Expansion Records Artist
Yes, yes, yes! Quality music with a capitol Q! Proper soul music with a twist of jazz - well done!
• Andreas Hellingh, Soul of Amsterdam Radio Show
SOBO Magazine
Every now and then you run across an album that gives you hope for the music industry! Brown Baby Girl gives me that hope. The themes of their songs range from love, lust and all that falls between. I've been told to tread te line between fan and journalist very lightly...but I'm sorry y'all! I'm a Brown Baby Girl FAN!!! I'm glad to introduce te readers of SOBO to my bundle of joy, Brown Baby Girl!
• Georgette Johnson-Whaley
The Urban Music Scene
One of the most fastinating characteristics about music is there are a few surprises waiting for you to bump into from time to time. Last month, I was hanging out at one of my favorite spots on the web looking for some fresh music to bite into, woe and behold I was attracted to this duo with an unique name called Brown Baby Girl!
Honestly, my curiousity about new music always manages to get the best of me. Fortunately, I decided to click on the hyperlink to sample the music and take “Brown Baby Girl” for a brief spin. Brown Baby Girl features two fabulous artist, first we have the vivacious Lorenda Robinson on vocals and the multifactet Jamie Finegan who is described as being a musician's musician on flugelhorn, trumpet, drum programming and keyboards.
On the first spin, I immediately notice the intimacy, depth and soulfulness on the opening track “Devotion.” Sonically, it's captivating with traces of toxic rhythms and jazz flavors woven into the heart of the melody. Yes, the skillful vocal styling of Lorenda gathers strength with each lyric nuance throughout the project as she playfully draws you into the body of the music. As I continue too listen, the music of Brown Baby Girl gradually marinates by refining itself thru various harmonic structures and changes with the splendor of their contemporaries (Incognito instrumentally) Seawind, and Fertile Ground (lyrically and vocally). The key voices behind Brown Baby Girl ...
Jamie Finegan on keyboards, trumpet, flugelhorn, and drum programming
Lorenda Robinson on vocals
Eric Seats, and Mike Nappi - drums
Mike Nunno, Joe Digiiorgi & Harold Davis - guitar
Greg Burrows - percussion
Steve Moran - sax
The fundamental qualities of this jewel are simply supreme! What I find most intriguing about Brown Baby Girl is that, Lorenda envelopes you with her warm vocals,and irresistible lyrics anchored by the savoring instrumentation of Jamie Finegan and the crew. Brown Baby Girl just does for me, their poetic nature and prophetically fresh content of their music is inspiring ... something we do not hear often enough these days. Most importantly their not driven by the coldness of commercialism that distracts so many talented artist from their original vision.
• Rob Young
Show less
