R&B artist brings true-to-roots soul music to Valley I

By Evan Riddell
Western Herald

In an age where most R&B singers rely on Auto-Tune and mechanical, soul-less beats to sell records, Javier Colon performs his signature brand of true-to-roots soul music in earnest.

Colon is giving a free performance tonight on Western Michigan University’s campus at Valley One’s Mug Shots Café.

The smooth voiced singer-songwriter mixes equal parts of Stevie Wonder and Babyface to create well-crafted, neo-soul tunes performed on an acoustic guitar.

Colon’s honey-sweet delivery is reminiscent of the great soul crooners of yesteryear while adding a fresh coat of gloss to the tried-and-true formula. His sparse but intricate guitar parts replace backing vocalists, and modern technology allows the guitarist to build the songs to life in front of the audience.

As part of the neo-soul movement, Colon’s organic instrumentation and gritty, impassioned vocals strike a chord with music fans.

“Now with people like Alicia Keys and John Legend… bringing soulful music back to the radio, it gives people like me a better chance at trying to succeed at radio,” said Colon in Audiofloss, an urban culture blog.

“…I try to stay focused on what I can do and what I can do is live shows; bringing my music to the people whether it’s on the radio or not.”

Hailing from Bridgeport, Conn., Colon graduated from the University of Hartford with a degree in music education, but after stints in musicals and an a cappella group, the young performer pursued a career as a recording artist. He began his pop music career as the lead singer for the acclaimed Derek Trucks Band. As a child of Dominican and Puerto-Rican parents, Colon gave the eclectic ensemble a pronounced Latin edge, but the singer left the group before their major label debut “Joyful Noise” was released.

His diverse influences carry over into his solo work, and Colon has two albums under his belt. His 2003 debut “Javier,” and 2006’s “Left of Center” both feature R&B barn-burners and crowd pleasing ballads. Colon’s experience in other genres added a new dimension to what could have been just more of the same over-produced pop music.

“I think for a minute R&B had kind of lost its way,” said Colon in an interview on FMQB.com.

“The title ‘Left of Center’ is just my way of saying to the listeners, ‘This is not just straight ahead R&B.’ I think there is more to it than what you’d hear on the average R&B album.”

Currently without a major label backing him, Colon relies on a rigorous touring schedule to get his music heard. Now deep into a long tour of the country’s many college campuses, Colon’s free performance at Mug Shots is sure to be an intimate and enjoyable listening experience, courtesy of Campus Activities Board. Colon’s set begins at 9 p.m.

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Posted by HeraldAdmin on Oct 15 2009. Filed under Weekend Scene. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Cody Kimball
Web Manager: I'm a Communication Student at WMU, a SCUBA Diver, Boater, Ordained Minister, Notary Public, Web Designer, Film Maker, DJ, and of course a Journalist. Born and raised in Port Huron, MI and a graduate of SC4. http://www.codykimball.com