It looks like Peak Records is becoming a label whose new releases should not be missed. After good releases by Phil Perry, Miki Howard and Regina Belle we now get the Peak debut by the Braxton Brothers.
The Braxton Brothers are the twins Wayne (saxophone, piano, keys) and Nelson Braxton (bass, keys, Fender Rhodes) who are making music since their schooldays and were both once part of the San Francisco Youth Orchestra.
So it's no surprise that some of San Francisco's finest musicans are involved on Both Sides as guests. Starting with a nice intro that features LeGerald Norman (those who also buy house records by Naked Music may know his name) we get some more organic soul-influenced songs like Stop Sayin' That (featuring Kisha Griffin on vocals) or What Did I Say (ft. Seabron Sawyer on vocals), a song that use a string section to good effect.
Another ex-Naked Music-singer, who made an impressive debut with Soulsinger some years ago, is featured on three songs (although she only sings some backgrounds at the end of If You Love Me): Ledisi. Better Than Nothing? is a fine soul song that wouldn't have been out of place on Ledisi's own album and definitely one of the hightlights on Both Sides. As is the other Ledisi sung track is the bluesy Do What You Feel.
Another highlight comes in the shape of the string-laden So Divine that features Kenny Washington as vocalist. Inbetween we get some more instrumental tracks sometimes with a few vocals thrown into (like Do You Like It with Martin Luther and Kisha Griffin or the aforementioned If You Love Me). Generally I'm more the vocal lover (as you may judge from my choice of music) and I must confess that I missed previous albums like Steppin' Out and Now And Forever by Wayne and Nelson Braxton because they sounded too relaxed and Smooth-Jazz-like for my taste. But this time it's different. Both Sides is in it's total a good, more relaxed album that doesn't drift away into Smooth Jazz territory too much.