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Paris Toon "Baptism by Fire" CD Jazz Soul Classic

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It's rare that you hear an artist create a personal album these days, what with most of today's mainstream entertainers usually having their lyrics manufactured by anyone else other than themselves. That's not the case, however, with Phoenix based artist Paris Toon. Paris, known as the brainchild behind jazz/soul/funk band Mother's Favorite Child, created his own project based on life, love, and pain...literally.

It took Paris Toon a year and a half to create Baptism by Fire, and the result is an unquestionably intimate album that speaks to the ups and downs he was going through when he recorded the project. “Baptism by Fire" is exactly that; Paris's experiences of love, divorce, death, heartache, deception, and finding the strength to live and love again, as he encountered them, head on. Toon didn't originally intend to release an album so personal to the public, but after encouragement from friends and band mates, he finally decided to let the world hear his project.

In past decades, an album as personal as Baptism by Fire would be nothing new. Artists like Marvin Gaye made a living off intimate albums such as “Hear, My Dear," after all. That's why it's refreshing to hear an album that speaks to what the artist is feeling exactly at the moment he recorded the song in today's homogenous music world. Musically, the album is more of an experimental jazz project with inflections of soul and funk. The project begins with the mellow jazzy tune, “No Longer Sees Me," a song heavy on organic jazz keyboard with love-inspired lyrics and heartfelt vocals by Toon. “U I Will" is a funky song that's both spacey and jazzy, if that makes sense.

“Brooklyn Baby" is a sweet tune that expresses the admiration of the female species thru experimental jazz. “The Difference" is a mellow, mid-tempo song, heavy on the organic sound. “The Gift" offers a beautiful orchestral intro that evolves into a mellow soul love song. “Pops Barbershop" delves into some Billy Preston-esque keyboard work filled with gospel and a soul. The song is Toon's call for the good old days of good music over commercialism. On “You Must Think I'm," Paris offers up some soul sounds reminiscent of 70's Stevie Wonder, but the lyrics are clearly personal and reflect on lies and deceit. “Aya Ros Lived" is an incendiary tale sang by Paris in a soulful, jazzy package.

With “You Need Geezus," Paris uses experimental jazz to address a deceitful woman. “P.U.M.P." is an acronym (I'll let you figure out what it means), and song title flows around experimental jazz from the late 1960's and early 70's. “Testify" is an organic jazz tune that doesn't hold back on its testimony.

All in all, I'm glad Paris Toon decided to share Baptism by Fire with us. The album offers some excellent music, and the subject matter is something most all of us can identify with. If you're into heartfelt music, then “Baptism by Fire" is an album you will enjoy.

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Personnel

Paris Toon 2
producer

Album information

Title: Baptism by Fire fea. Morris Alan | Year Released: 2012 | Record Label: Island / Def Jam

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