THE BAND:
Marcell Russell (lead singer, lyrics, arranger, & writer), Charles "C.J." Bennett (drummer), Gerald "Fingas" Richardson (bass player, writer), Austin Caughlin (guitar), Mamadi (percussion), Mike Mackey (keys)
BACKGROUND VOCALS:
Kiss Browni & Crystal Brown.
..
Influences
Stax Records, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Stevie Wonder, Dave Matthews Band, Santana, John P. Kee, Darryl Coley, Sly & the Family Stone, Luther Vandross, Aretha Franklin, Parliment, Jeff Buckley, The Meters, Andre Crouch, The Isley Brothers, Nina Simone, Ray Charles, JAMES BROWN, Mint Condition, The Beatles, "The Motown Sound", Al Green, The Roots, The Weather Report, Cab Colloway, The Eagles, India Arie, Donnie Hathaway, Earth Wind & Fire, The Winans, Marvin Gaye and Prince.
Sounds Like
Marvin Winans meets Frankie Beverly & Maze featuring the Roots.
View Marcell & the Truth's EPK
CLICK SONIC EPK TO FIND OUT HOW TO BOOK MARCELL & THE TRUTH AND PERFOMANCE INFORMATION
ALSO VISIT STORES NEAR YOU TO PURCHASE CD: Simply Click on any store name and it will guide you to a M&TT CD:
M&TT were Nominated and/or Won in more than 10 categories as an Independent Artist in 2007:These are few of the Awards they Recieved
ChiSteppers 2007 Winner: Artist of the Year
Heatseekers - 2007 Winner:
R&B Artist of the Year
R&B Performance of the Year
R&B New Group/Duo of the Year
R&B Song of the Year
SoulTracks 2007 4 Nominations:
Group/Duo of the Year
Song of the Year
Album of the Year
New artist of the Year
Recent Reviews:
In a time when the music industry has grown too smart for itself, when radio is filled with overproduced, mechanical songs that are more about attitude than music, a casual listener would be led to believe that organic soul music no longer existed. And that's what makes an album like Hopes Too High that much more special. Sounding like they simply grabbed their instruments in a club and started playing, Marcell & the Truth deliver a stunning set of songs here that are equally inspired and inspiring. The group effecively mixes elements of jazz, soul and blues, sounding like the rightful heirs of Frankie Beverly and Maze, but with slightly rougher edges. And while the disc consists mostly of midtempo numbers and relatively simple arrangements, it never sounds repetitive or stale. To the contrary, the simplicity makes it more effective, allowing a bluesy guitar riff or a mournful organ note to alone carry the moment, and bringing even more attention to the fourteen excellent compositions that comprise Hopes Too High. Kudos to producer Teddy Douglas, who makes all the right moves in matching musical moods to lyrical content, from the innocent vocal harmonies of the title cut to the almost eerie tension (reminiscent of the the Dramatics' "In the Rain") underlying the break-up song "Maybe I'm Not the Man" to the joyous build-up throughout the standout track "Time Stops."
There will be many more popular and more critically trumpeted albums in 2007 than Hopes Too High, but it will be tough to find many that are better. This is a nearly timeless disc that would have been as notable in 1977 as it is in 2007. But by any measure, it is a keeper -- as are Marcell & the Truth. Very highly recommended.
-Chris Rizik
Soultracks.com USA
"a brand new name and band to me for 2006, this is definitely an album that should be investigated immediately!!"
-Roger Williams- Solarradio.com UK
".. but in honesty I kept coming back to "Hopes Too High" it's just one of those great recordings that only real soul people connect with, I guess you are so this is for you - honest."
-Bill Buckley - Blues and Soul Magazine UK
"Frontman, Marcell Russell, a soulful brother filled with southern hospitality hit the center of the floor .. to show what he is really made of and why so many are loudly whispering about Marcell & the Truth, the group of the year!"
-The VueScene USA
Marcell and the Truth are setting ablaze the New York soul scene with breath taking and awe-inspiring performances. The Truth turned out to be a group of young men with talent way beyond their years.
-Soul Grateful - AyeJay Da Muzik Hunta USA
(A Blue Note Performance Review - New York)
On this week's Cornfed's Corner: we share an intimate moment with future icon, Marcell Russell of the band Marcell and The Truth; and offer our usual assortment of notes, gossip, and 12 "new" tunes worth your gas money. One worthy of those sacred coins is the Missy-produced debut single, "Need U Bad," for the much-buzzed Jazmine Sullivan (more on Jazzie next week!). So, grab a chip, a chair and get corn-fed.
Intimate Moments on IM: Marcell Russell of Marcell and the Truth
Marcell and the Truth (M&TT) is a Baltimore-based soul band whose 2007 critically acclaimed debut, Hopes Too High, went on to be a cult classic, one nominated for multiple SoulTracks Awards. M&TT's dedication to classic music has sparked some high hopes for their forthcoming sophomore project and the future sustainability of bands in soul. Having experienced them in concert, I think MTT is this generation's answer to Frankie Beverly and Maze, but with a more socio-political twist. Come eavesdrop for a spell on my intimate moment with M&TT frontman, Marcell Russell.
If you want to read the actual interview between Marcell if M&TT and one of Soul Music's most prolific Editors & Critics: CLICK HERE:
http://www.soultracks.com/cornfed053108
-L. Michael Gibson
Soultracks - Cornfed Corner USA
M&TT: A Product of History's Friend Space (Top 31)
Hey M&tt, register at www.createaconcert.com for FREE to get some college concerts. We're here to help bands like you get way more grassroots exposure.
Let me know if you have any questions, I will personally respond to all myspace messages/wallposts.
Whats Poppin Fam? Shit going straight on ya side? Hope shit is well. I peeped them tracks you got up ya shit tuff keep grindin you got hella talent. Do me a favor come by my page and peep the new track I got wit Lil Wayne and Juelz Santana called Does What She Want. Shit is fire. check it out and let me know how you feel. get at me
Hey there A Product of History, how are you today? I hope you had a nice weekend. Just stopped by to say hello and to wish you a wonderful Monday. Love,
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