The ROOFTOP: Press

All About Jazz - CD Review
The Rooftop
A Live Shot
Rooftop Music
2006

A musical message of hope sent from a city built on an island to a city stranded in water, A Live Shot documents a New York City performance by rising East Coast neo-soul stars, a benefit concert for New Orleans musicians recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

Guitarist Christian Ver Halen wrote or co-wrote all the music and leads the house band behind a series of rotating lead vocalists, mostly female, and in front of a series of grooves that build upon the funky foundation constructed by UK soul hipsters The Brand New Heavies with singer N’dea Davenport. Drummer Gintus Janusonis and bassist Lonnie Plaxico helpfully shape and steer the loping instrumentation. Plaxico fits this scene nicely in the pocket, but the most evident characteristic of the music is its spirit: “What can we do to help these folks? Let’s put on a show!”

“Warriors” rampages and spotlights Maya Azucena, who rips through the third verse with hot freestyle as the band often leaves the last three beats empty in the measures of four so that her voice swings dangerously free. Azucena also reverently dons the closing rearrangement of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that forms an elegant, respectful elegy, their soulful recessional.

Plaxico most convincingly thumps “Wasteland” with a reggae bottom that rocks deep and hard and tosses about Abby Dobson’s voice rough and blue and deep, like troubled churning waters. Ver Halen works out a rare solo in “I Got You,” electric jazz-rock fusion guitar both tasty and smart.

It all comes together most effectively in the spiritually charged “Set You Free,” built upon the rock of Janusonis’ and Plaxico’s drum/bass pop and Ver Halen’s guitar drone. Azucena’s voice is filled with promise and angels, her words no small source of comfort, a message from the mover to the moved: “I am the rock/ That you build upon/ I am ‘I Am’/ And you are my son/ And I’ll set you free/ Just look to me…”

One hundred percent of A Live Shot’s sale benefit the Music Rising Foundation, part of the Grammy's Musicares program. You can learn more about A Live Shot at www.musicrising.org.

CD Review
Maya Azucena - Junkyard Jewel

Though this is only her second album, Maya Azucena has already established a sizeable and eclectic following around the world, principally as a guest vocalist on dozens of albums or singles by other artists in the soul, R&B, house, jazz, dance, rock and hip-hop genres. And while covering a broad spectrum of sounds, Azucena has always brought a palpably subversive approach to her music that has made it all the more unusual and attractive. Let's just say you wouldn't hear her singing Whitney Houston covers on American Idol.

Because of her wide ranging musical taste, many of Maya's fans wondered in what direction she would go on her sophomore album. But almost typically, Azucena surprises on Junkyard Jewel. She is likely known by most as a dance music artist, but here counters modern radio trends by releasing an entirely acoustic album -- not the type of Norah Jones clone or "unplugged" album that are being pumped out by others, but a live, coffee house-feeling album that has a distinct "edge" without having any drums or electronics. The songs are mostly written by Azucena and producer Christian Ver Halen (The Rooftop), and bear an intelligent, somewhat idealistic lyrical slant that fits nicely in the near-folk musical surroundings.

Junkyard Jewel is fueled by the guitar work of Ver Halen and a solid band consisting of percussionist Ivan Katz, bassist Jason DiMatteo, violinist Tarrah Reynolds and cellist David Gotay. But Azucena's strong, expressive voice is clearly the lead instrument, running effectively through fine midtempo songs such as "Set You Free," "Runaway Blues" and "Like No Other" as well as a handful of ballads that include "Wash Over" and the title cut, the latter of which has been the stunningly beautiful highlight of her shows for over a year.

Some soul fans may have difficulty warming to an album that sounds more at home at a Starbucks than at a club, but those who are open will find a lot to like on Junkyard Jewel, another unusual but positive step for an extremely talented young artist who should continue to blaze trails for years to come. Recommended.

MTV News

THE ROOFTOP GIVES BACK. The Rooftop, a collective of indie soul singers has a new album called A Live Shot. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the sale of the disc go to the Music Rising Foundation a non-profit that assists musicians from New Orleans devastated by Hurricane Katrina. The CD is on sale via their Website www.TheRoofTopMusic.com or head to their MySpace page at MySpace.com./TheRoofTopMusic.com.

CD Review
The ROOFTOP
'A Live Shot'

The Rooftop, a collection of some of New York’s brightest independent singers and musicians led by guitarist Christian Ver Halen (CVH), put this live CD together to support the Music Rising non-profit foundation, which assists musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina. But one doesn’t have to be charitable to fall in love with this recording. The band is excellent and its soulful, acoustic grooves are fronted by rising star singers including Selan, Abby Dobson, Monet and Kendra Ross. The whole disc is worthwhile, and hits its peak on two contributions by Maya Azucena, “Junkyard Jewel” and “Hallelujah.” Her vocals are sterling and the tracks are among the most beautiful you’ll hear this year. This one’s recommended for the cause and for the music.

MUSIC THERAPY

The ROOFTOP's "A Live Shot" CD is from a group of up-and-coming New York soul stars who recently joined forces to help their fellow musicians in New Orleans. The result, a unique blend of soul, jazz, blues and gospel, is a delight. This benefit CD is a great feel-good purchase that rewards you with quality music.

EbonyEbony - Japan

I’m introducing the project “The Rooftop” which was organized by guitarist Christian Ver Halen (CVH) and features musicians from NY’s Indie Soul scene. As the title suggests, this is a live album. Maya Azucena participated in 4 songs. It also features Abby Dobson, who we introduced before, and Kendra Ross, who was featured on Talib Kweli’s masterpiece, “Quality,” and the flutist and singer, Monet, whose album is already released in Japan. It’s produced by CVH who co-wrote all of the songs. Let me review first the songs that have Ms. Maya Azucena as a vocalist. “Set You Free” has a grand tone as the title suggests. Her sensitive vocal on “Junkyard Jewel” is impressive. On this track she is backed by CVH’s guitar, subtle percussion, and Monet’s flute solo in the middle is great. “Warriors” is uptempo and we can fully enjoy Ms. Maya’s funky and powerful vocal. She presents her superb soulful voice calmly and gracefully on “Hallelujah”, the last track on the album. The next is Ms. Kendra Ross who participated on 3 songs. On “I Got You” CVH’s guitar solo is great with a speedy and driven rhythm section. “Real Deal” is a good medium tempo song to enjoy her vocal with mature quality. She starts singing with guitar’s backing only in the intro and gets grander in the slow song “Very Well”. You can fully enjoy Kendra’s talent. She is another artist whom we look forward to an album release. The next one is Ms. Abby Dobson. She participates on 2 songs. Simple guitar backing, cello and violin intertwine on “Fly”. This song is quiet yet passionate and folky. Another one is the contrasting reggae number, “Wasteland”. Her deep and soulful alto voice hits the audience’s heart. She really is a great singer. The last one is Ms. Monet, who participated in 3 songs. She performs together with Maya on “Junkyard Jewel”. Monet’s flute introduces Selan’s sweet vocal in the impressive and beautiful “Washed Away” in a quiet way. On “Deep In The Water” she performs beautiful vocals. This album has bonus video footage of live performances of “I Got You”, “Warriors” and “Hallelujah”. A great value for some beautiful music.

Soul Patrol
CD REVIEW
THE ROOFTOP
A Live Shot

Growing up on the legendary giants of R&B, I unfortunately find that a number of today’s younger stars generally pale in comparison.
Sure, I respect and support such tremendous talents deserving wider recognition as Raheem DeVaughn, Bilal, Rahsaan Patterson, and a select few others. But to discover someone new who is worth following is far from an everyday occurrence for this jaded old-school fan.
With that in mind, I am pleased to recommend The Rooftop, a band featuring up and coming stars from various artist collectives in the NYC Soul scene. Guitarist/composer CVH (Christian Ver Halen) combines the talents of not only fine vocalists, but also MCs, poets and musicians. Blending soul, jazz, blues, gospel, and acoustic world music, this CD proves to be thoroughly enjoyable and even soothing. CVH claims there’s “no rules to bound the performances,” and the enthusiastic crowd reactions on A Live Shot indicates just that- young fans grooving to great new talent as they jam.
Imagine that in today’s corporate music world.
I recommend this ambitious project. Even better, the CD is a benefit for Music rising, part of the Grammy Awards Musicares program bringing aid to musicians affected by Hurricane Katrina.
In The Rooftop’s A Live Shot, you have great music for a great cause. You just can’t beat that combination.
Check it out.

Evan Ginzburg

This beautifully crafted album by The ROOFTOP fuses elements of jazz, blues, soul, gospel, reggae and acoustic world music. Guitarist Christian Ver Halen gathered a brilliant lineup for the creation of this benefit album, including a number of outstanding vocalists.

On The Arts - CD Review
The ROOFTOP
'A Live Shot'

This CD contains elements of Reggae, Jazz, and Gospel. The vocals have a smooth, uplifting quality, and each track has a unique fusion of percussion, strings, and vocals, including the rare cello and violin. Various vocalists infuse soulful musicality to Christian Ver Halen’s 11 collaborative tracks.

Notable tracks:

#1 – Set You Free – Composed by Ver Halen and Azucena. This very spiritual and liberating vocal track to piano, guitar, drums, builds in volume and emotion. Maya Azucena has a clear, rich voice and creates fullness and texture as the track ends with drums and tambourines.

#5 – Wasteland – Composed by Ver Halen and Dobson. Abby Dobson’s vocals and collaborative composition combines reggae and gospel, with soft rock and a bit of new age. She works with a rhythmic guitar, bass, and percussion to achieve buoyancy and tempo.

#6 – Washed Away – Composed by Ver Halen and Lerner. Featuring Selan and Monet on vocals and keyboards, with generous guitar backup, this folk-infused melody maintains a slow meandering mood. This is a very nurturing, song.

#8 – Deep in the Water – Composed by Ver Halen and Monet. Featuring Monet on vocals and flute, this track has a tribal rhythm, funky bass, and soulful melody. The music would be well served with additional flute accompaniment.

Roberta Zlokower and Jake Laughlin
for www.RobertaOnTheArts.com