Groove Stu is a nine piece band from the Baltimore/DC area and like another band from this area (Yamama'Nym) their overall sound has a nice live feeling to it.
Musicwise Groove Stu is quite versatile, combining soul, funk, urban, hip hop and reggae influences to good effect, an effort and originality that you don't hear so often in these days of formatted music. So their debut album Authentic 4.10 Sessions really has something to offer for everyone.
All of the members of the band are professionally trained musicians, who have worked with some well-known artists before. For example, lead vocalist Tiffany Gilliam-Countess has worked with Joe, Bass guitarist/Producer Myron “Big Huss” Missouri has worked with Patti LaBelle. Guitarist/vocalist Tony Love was a founding member of the reggae group Jah Works and has performed with the jazz group Mainstream. Keyboardist/vocalist Omar Sharif is also featured on the jazz release album of Full Circle.
In my opinion Groove Stu's potential really shines through on the midtempo and downtempo tracks, that make me wish it would be spring or summer already since they all have this late-warm-summer-night-feeling to it. Like I've mentioned on various other reviews here, I'm not really into hip hop so I really can't judge songs like The Anthem, which features Jerrod Simpson as rapper, or the urban-influenced Gone 4 Good or Ummm although the latter both sound nice in the concept of the whole album.
But there are enough other songs that will make any lover of quality soul music happy. Listen to Curiosity for example, a fine ballad sung by Tiffany Gilliam-Countess with ad-libs by Tommy "Black" Brown and a pleasant Isley Brothers like guitar solo.
One of the highlights for me is I Don't Know, a deep soulful song that sounds like Seek or Five Point Plan at their best.
Cool With U is another highlight with Omar Sharif (I just love this name!) singing on this Maxwell inspired track. Maybe Tonight is also an instant winner with Tiffany singing again on this lovely song.
Omar and Tiffany are featured as lead vocalists on the wonderful ballad Am I Dreaming that wouldn't have been out of place on the Kindred The Family Soul album for example.
The mentioned soul songs all have a warm instrumentation and reflect some of Groove Stu's musical influences (like Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, Anita Baker or Prince) in the best possible way.
True Independence is a reggae-inspired tune which shows Groove Stu's musical diversity that in some ways is reminiscent of Fertile Ground.
Athentic 4.10 Sessions is a good album with some great soul songs, that grows on you with each listening and that makes Groove Stu a band with a promising future.