CD Review

Artist: Eric Solomon

Album: My Reality

Label: Rocky Mountain Entertainment Inc., Universal Music

Release Date: May 09, 2008

Reviewed by Alexander Hutt (Vancouver Correspondent)

After being born and raised in the Congo, Africa and being deported to Canada as a teenager, a collection of diverse and interesting songs is natural for someone like Eric Solomon. For that is the main draw for Solomon’s premiere release, from Rocky Mountain Entertainment; the diversity in subject matter and the intense exploration of the pop music genre. Here is just a sample of Solomon’s creativity in his thirteen track album My Reality; he starts the album with four tracks of personal experiences growing up, then travels into the dark side of sexuality, and balances out the album with a smattering of pop-love ballads.

Solomon lends his voice and keyboard skills to the songs well, as his vocals are a welcoming fit to the rhythms and melodies of the music. Too often artists attempt to strain their voice in contradiction to their musical style, but Solomon finds the right tone for his music and voice. That is not to say that his smooth, silky voice does not have it’s own range, it certainly stretches the boundaries of pop music.

The best tracks on the album are when Solomon takes the personal and combines it with his songwriting. “Livin’ A Lie” speaks about the hypocrisy in people, but carries an upbeat, snazzy pop piano tune that allows us to take some optimism. “My Reality” is in much the same vein. What is the most appealing aspect of Solomon`s album is that you can literally hear Solomon’s life in the Congo (to “Livin’ A Lie”) and his journey to Canada (in “My Reality”) within the tracks. As a result, Eric Solomon is more than a generic pop singer. Rather, his compositions allot space for thought; a thinking man’s pop.

Still, Solomon is flexible and walks the dark side as well in “Dirty Man” and “Step Off”, where subjects such as stalking and lust are featured. Solomon is not afraid to touch on subjects that are taboo in modern culture, most of which he points to be on the mind of the public anyways. Nevertheless, Solomon does pepper his album with conventional pop ballads, but keep in mind that is not a negative aspect. “Rain” and “Roses” are both catchy tunes that are complemented by the band behind Solomon.

Behind this talent-laden collection of music, Solomon has garnered himself a contract with Universal Records. Listening to My Reality, it is obvious that this achievement is well warranted. My Reality was released May 09, 2008, and will be finishing up his tour in Vancouver on Nov.22, 2008.

Track Listing:

Livin’ A Lie

My Reality

Rain

Blue Skies

Dirty Man

Step Off

Make It Real

Build Myself Again

Roses

She Knows Me

‘Til Then

Bali

Who’s The Man