Reviewed by - Al Santana
"Used to sit and worry about the future. Worrying about the future don't change the past. Used to think that tomorrow would be better. But now I know that I'm doing the best I can. I'm just a man trying to find the reasons why I stand. Took some time to realize that I am what I am. And I wanna be rich, I wanna be happy, and live inside a love that shines bright enough to last a lifetime. I wanna be rich more than a fantasy, ride the winds and climb, 'cause it's all a state of mind!" Not only can this first verse of the first cut, the title song to "State Of Mind," be words of wisdom no matter who you are, it sets the stage for a rare talent who comes around perhaps once a year to keep the music industry honest. Throw out all the rules! Raul Midon is pure in every sense.
Blind from birth, the New Mexico-born, New York based Midon has made, in no time at all, an amazing impact on the music scene. With traces of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Jose Feliciano, and Richie Havens evident, his 13-track collection of originals is an incredible balance of r&b, soul, pop, jazz, flamenco, and Latin. The singer-composer-guitarist, son of an African-American mother and Argentinean father, possesses an approach for sound that can't be taught. And he claims it has nothing to do with being blind. "Just listening to windshield wipers, I would come up with a beat!"
The beat goes on from a collaboration with one of his biggest inspirations, Stevie Wonder, on "Expressions Of Love," where Stevie lends his one-of-a-kind tone of his harmonica. Another duet includes a vocal arrangement with Jason Mraz on the raggae-tinged "Keep On Hoping." Other all-stars include Latin jazz flutist Dave Valentin and percussionist Sammy Figueroa on the Afro-Cuban number "I Would Do Anything." Vibraphonist Stefon Harris is featured on the laid-back "All In Your Mind," and more harmonica work is rendered by Gregoire Maret on one of my favorites "Sunshine (I Can Fly)" which also includes percussion work by Cyro Baptista (of Manfredo Fest fame). By the way, he performed this song in our WSJT studio during an in-house interview by himself, sounding like three musicians rolled into one. I still can't find my jaw! And lets not forget the tune "Everybody," where he lets loose his incredible vocal range.
But there are two songs, as if that's not enough, that really stand out on this debut recording. "Sittin' In The Middle" is an up-tempo groove dedicated to Donny Hathaway, where part of the lyrics include those famous words from one of Donny's hits..."where is the love." The other is the one that put him on the map..."If You're Gonna Leave," (talk about the phone ringing off the hook)!
The project is produced by Arif Mardin and Joe Mardin, who provide an impressive balance with Raul's versatility. Take it from me, this guy is the real deal! He is currently on tour as the opening act for George Benson and Al Jarreau, providing a knockout punch to the 2006 concert scene all over the world. |
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