Noel Gourdin's After My Time | Review by Chandra Kamaria

Growing up just outside of Boston, Noel Gourdin spent many summers in Biloxi, Mississippi with his grandparents so he knows a thing or two about Southern living. Undoubtedly influenced by his grandparents’ musings about life, Noel’s southern sensibilities are reflected in his debut album, ‘After My Time’, which is a 13 track, ‘full ride in the iPod’ must-have. His vocal delivery clearly reeks of old school crooners such as Sam Cooke and Teddy Pendergrass. If you’re looking for pimpisms, you won’t find them on this project, but if you’re looking for songs that express the sensitivity and the emotional aspects of a Black man, then After My Time is your best bet. It’s true R&B; bouncy, funky, three part harmonies, and beautifully arranged verses and choruses. Noel’s lyrics suggest a maturity beyond his 26 years, at the same time, he’s able to hold the attention of new schoolers.

Gourdin named the album, After My Time, as an effort to pay homage to those artists that paved the way for him. But clearly, he has his own flavor; just take a quick listen to joints like ‘P.Y.T’ which, by the way, is not a remake of the Michael Jackson classic of the same name, although it’s the same idea. Instead, the acronym means Precious Young Thing, and this alludes to the moniker that old Southern Black men use when making reference to big-hipped, pretty young girls walking down the street. On the joint, ‘Summertime’ Gourdin asserts that the heat of summer can be re-created even during the winter with some hot lovemaking. Now, who can argue with that concept?

Another stand out is ‘Reach’, a track that I predict will become the budget balla anthem, as he convinces his woman to hang in there with him until he can bling her out properly. The song, ‘Led You On’ uniquely rides through the verses sounding like an old school soul throwback, but transforms into a pop sounding ode during the choruses. Finally, I think that the tune, ‘I Fell’ should become his next single; it’s radio-friendly and hinges on the common topic of falling in love without sounding so predictable. If I had to pick an all time favorite from this project, it would have to be the debut single, ‘The River’. Maybe it’s because I’m a Mississippi native and it reminds me of home as I am just as familiar of ‘dirt roads and Confederate flags’. His ability to merge the memories of down South living with the love that he left behind was an exercise in eloquence and artistry. I appreciate that to the highest. Overall, After My Time is a hand clapping, finger snapping, head nodding, booty-wiggling experience into the mind and soul of Noel Gourdin. Have we convinced you enough to cop it? Yes. Good.

Chandra Kamaria
chandra@neosoulville.com