The Degrees find it's "All Said and Done"
(December 30, 2021) Neo-soul is a label that a lot of artists reject. Still, while some artists (and fans) find the neo-soul term to be problematic, music fans know the sound when they hear it --and they like it. When neo-soul emerged in the mid-1990s, people’s ears perked up because balancing of the lyricism and instrumental arrangements of 1970s soul music with some of the elements of hip-hop and 1990s R&B had an instant appeal. Many of us hoped that neo-soul would have had a longer mainstream run, regardless of how we chose to label it, and that is why music fans react so strongly to artists who keep that level of artistry and musicianship in their work.
The Degrees find it's "All Said and Done"
(December 30, 2021) Neo-soul is a label that a lot of artists reject. Still, while some artists (and fans) find the neo-soul term to be problematic, music fans know the sound when they hear it --and they like it. When neo-soul emerged in the mid-1990s, people’s ears perked up because balancing of the lyricism and instrumental arrangements of 1970s soul music with some of the elements of hip-hop and 1990s R&B had an instant appeal. Many of us hoped that neo-soul would have had a longer mainstream run, regardless of how we chose to label it, and that is why music fans react so strongly to artists who keep that level of artistry and musicianship in their work.
That is why I think those fans will like the duo The Degrees and their new song “All Said And Done.” The track fuses funk and jazz, courtesy of an understated yet pumping bass line, improvisational flourishes on the piano, and clever work on the electric organ. The tune ushers in contemporary R&B/hip-hop elements in the form of 808 drumbeats, a digital counterpoint to the low key stroll of the bass line. Lyrically, “All Said And Done” is a pensive and reflective song about seeking contentment in your life. Check “All Said And Done” out below and tell us what you think.
By Howard Dukes
The Degrees - "All Said And Done"