Jason Masi – Power of a Woman
Primary URL: https://www.jasonmasi.com/
Jason Masi’s newest record, “Power Of A Woman”, released on October 2014, is smart, sexy, charming and reflective. The approach revisits much of the soulful pop sensibility of prior releases, but brings a fresh clarity and edginess to his next collection of heartfelt tunes. The tone and style of the album explores various genres, but maintains the honesty and focus that defines Masi’s sound on his fifth release. He got his start with Richmond, VA based group, Jubeus, opening for acts like Blind Melon, Everclear, and SOJA and releasing two well received albums, “Two Tone Circles” 2004 and “Natural Mood” 2007, respectively. The latter was named as a top DIY (Do-It-Yourself) release by Performing Songwriter Magazine ((Issue 107 – January/February 2008).
The CD comes with an exquisite cover design would catch any eye with its remarkable simplicity. Starting off with How To Be Rich, with a strong soulful vibe and a slight country feel behind it. This isn’t a pop heavy number that it has way too much soul to be limited to that. Masi’s voice is the type of thing demand is made of, and it instantly grabs you by the ear. On the title track Power Of A Woman things get even more country flavored, but that is not to say he isn’t a rock artist, it’s just a taste. This song kind of leaves me cold somehow, but it’s a good tune and the disc gets better as it goes, and the overall consensus is that it’s accessible at every turn. Other tracks worth noting are the blues heavy and jazzy I Will Make It Up To You shows a borderline r&b influence, and it’s one of the better tracks on offer. It all winds down nicely with the closer Amends, which enters more of the crooner in Masi, and it on the other hand does leave me warm. There aren’t many critical points about this release, especially if you’re familiar with his previous work. His vocals are practically flawless, so if I can find anything lacking it would be not even guitar bite in the songs. It’s the one thing I’d just like to hear him more backed with.
REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/jasonmasi
Cory Frye
Score: 8/10