OffBeat Magazine
Keyboardist, vocalist and composer Kyle Roussel immediately brightens the atmosphere with wonderful choir-like harmony of “Daylight,” the opening song of his album
Church of New Orleans. As the title of the release suggests, Roussel’s background in gospel music comes into play, along with secular styles such as the New Orleans piano tradition, rhythm and blues and a bit of street beat. This ambitious disc finds the talented Crescent City native over-dubbing his own voice and performing on acoustic piano as well as an array of electronic keyboards and percussion instruments. Joining him are some dozen musicians making up full horn sections that include some of this city’s masters such as drummers Herlin Riley and Shannon Powell; saxophonists Roderick Paulin and Roger Lewis; trumpeter Andrew Baham; trombonist Terence Taplin and more. Obviously, there’s a lot going on.