Charles A. Kelly PHASE II

March 21, 2025

CHARLES A. KELLY

PHASE II

Innervision Records

Charles A. Kelly, piano/composer/arranger; Jerome Randall, bass; Billy ‘Shoes’ Johnson, drums; Michael Stever, trumpet; Andrew Neu, tenor & alto saxophone; Nick Lane, trombone; Jason Kelly, soprano saxophone; Miles Jenson & Billy ‘Meech’ Chase, electric guitars; Robert Washington, rapper; Quiahna, vocals.

Charles A. Kelly is a native of Philadelphia who has long called Los Angeles his home. This is his second album release in a trilogy series. It features Kelly’s original music and joyful piano and keyboard talents. The group opens with “That Groove” that sets the mood for a spirited and happy album of moderate and up-tempo tunes.

Track #2 follows with “Sunseeker,” another contemporary original with provocative chord changes and a relaxing, pretty melody. His song called “City Night” captures the spirit of the Philadelphia nightlife that he still remembers with great fondness.

Kelly said it reflects “The time I spent playing in the nightclubs by Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River. … I had the chance to feel the excitement of playing in front of crowds of people every night. …the thrill of being on stage and performing helped me know I wanted to make music my career.”

At one point in his career, Charles A. Kelly was a pianist with the popular R&B Philly International Records group, “Blue Magic.” He brings that R&B perspective to his productions and a bit of the Philly sound to his original compositions. All of them have an infectious ‘hook’ that makes you want to sing along with Kelly’s catchy melodies.

Kelly adds funk and fusion to the mix on a song he calls “Bring It to Compliance.” He invites electric guitar to the party, along with his impressive horn section. They add pizazz and spunk to the arrangement. “Amanirenas” is another funk inspired original. Kelly’s piano solo is notable and spontaneous, always taking care to showcase the melody first.

Percussion pushes a piece titled “Raindrops Under Glass” and this tune quickly becomes another one of my favorites. The trumpet of Michael Stever takes a muted solo. I’m not crazy about the mix. I think the mixologist should have brought the trumpet up during his spotlight performance. Additionally, the ending was strangely sudden and unexpected.

“I Only Want You” is a happy-go-lucky tune, once again pushed by percussion and Billy “Shoes” Johnson’s drums. This tune is a nod to island culture and music. Midway through it features Robert Washington on a ‘rap’ he wrote based on Ephesians 6:10-14 from the bible. Again, I think the mixologist buried the rap in the production.

“When We Are One” with its Smooth Jazz sensibility, pretty melody and soulful groove sure sounds like a hit record.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

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