If there were such a thing as an urban beatnik, Citizen Cope, aka Clarence Greenwood, would be it. His unique message-oriented self-titled debut is in the spirit of music by Wyclef Jean and Arrested Development, but rich in his own brand of underground street stylings, which find their flavor in the sounds and soul of the Deep South. The album combines an ever-so-slight bit of island flavor, R&B, hip-hop, smoky-club lounge, and blues. The former live keyboardist and DJ for {$Basehea...   [ read more ]

CD $13.25

When a singer/songwriter fights the big record label -- in this case Dreamworks -- because the label doesn't understand the artist's vision, then buys back a record so he can find someone else who cares enough to release it, it's admirable and has a "this must be good" allure for sure. One listen to The Clarence Greenwood Recordings and you might have a guess at why Dreamworks said "no." It's a wandering album, one that Greenwood's fan base can connect with, but more difficult for everyone e...   [ read more ]

CD $9.49

There are a number of artists -- Everlast, G. Love, Mat Kearney -- who, while staying firmly within blues and rock, bring in hip-hop tendencies, with varying degrees of success. Citizen Cope is another one who could be added to that group, although the only "rap" he actually incorporates into his music is relegated to an occasional singsongy, quickly spoken line and some internal rhyme. This, along with the characters he created and sang about, was what won him fans on his first two...   [ read more ]

CD $7.59