OCTOBER 2, 2009
ANNOUNCING THE RELEASE OF STEVE ARRINGTON'S NEW CD:
"PURE THANG"
Below you can check out some of the reviews that have been written.


Check out the reviews...

http://soulandfunkmusic.com/safm-related/safm-album-reviews/64-safm/785-steve-arrington-just-released-his-cd-qpure-thangq.html

Dayton, Ohio native Steve Arrington, former lead vocalist/drummer of the Funk Band "SLAVE", as well of his own Steve Arrington's Hall of Fame ensemble, just released his long awaited Urban Contemporary Gospel CD, "Pure Thang" on GOD FACTOR Records.
 In the eighties I never had the thoughts that i would do an album review of this Funk Legend when I danced my ass off on 'Feel so Real', and 'Dancin' in the key of life' in the famous dutch discotheque "Cartouch" in Utrecht, The Netherlands. This Funk Legend still knows how to make "The FUNK". With his Funk background this should be a peace of cake for him, and it is. His vocal sound is not changed and the music is still Arrington'sh.Almost all tracks on this album are Funk & nothing else but the funk. The first single serviced to radio off "Pure Thang" is entitled "I'm On Fire" the second track on this album. A great choice to start with. The pumpin bass line on 'Time to Ride' makes this tune very funky and enjoyable to listen too. Another preferable track to listen to is 'Nobody Else', could me the second single. Other 'Non' Funk songs are soulfull like the instrumentals 'Coolin' and 'Sunrise'. Other tracks are Gospel oriented such as track #6 'song for coretta and rosa', and 'Right there' feat. rev. brian coleman. Even some tracks are jazzy like the slowtempo 'Tones' accompanied by a piano. 'Soul Food' sounds seventies with that organ it. When the Soul Food hits you what you gonna do? The title track 'Pure Thang' is another real funk gem, with Sly's guitar work. 'Right On Time' a funky Gospel track contains the typical 'Slave' Bass. On the uptempo 'Power' Steve sings: 'I got this funky about me, you better know i'm comming through'. Yes Steve your Funk is still
comming through. You can buy this album on CDBaby
Mark Berbiers / Soulandfunkmusic.com

http://www.theblackgospelblog.com/search?updated-min=2009-01-01T00:00:00-06:00&updated-max=2010-01-01T00:00:00-06:00&max-results=50

THE BLACK GOSPEL BLOG
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009
Steve Arrington - Pure Thang
God Factor Records 2009
www.stevearringtonministries.com
On the title track of his latest release, Pure Thang, funk meister Steve Arrington declares, Just like Thelonious [Monk], Im known to be different/Its just the way I am, in this Im consistent. No time for foolishness cause Im on a mission. Truer words were never spoken. Former singer for the funk group Slave as well as the leader of his own funk ensemble, Steve Arrington moved from the secular to the sacred several years ago. He takes praising the Lord in all things to the nth degree by pouring the full force of his formidable musical arsenal into Pure Thang. Called a progenitor of gospel funk, Arrington lays down tracks that are complex, mood-altering, polyrhythmic, psychedelic and, yes, you can dance to them. Just like the metaphorical object of his track, Soul Food, there are lots of flavors here to savor. The seventeen songs on Pure Thang are like a dazzling electric parade that is scored by the Ohio Players, Prince and Outkast working in collaboration. Arringtons distinctive voice functions as a musical instrument or sample, as he croons, growls, raps, scats, shouts and hollers lyrics which sound like they are based on a prayer book written by Beat poets. In fact, his vocals come in powerful blasts as often as in extended lines. On The Devil Cant Sing Amazing Grace, my vote for most inventive song title of 2009, Arrington taunts the devil with Jesus didnt die for you in a tone that suggests the subtext is, Stick your pitchfork where the sun dont shine. Given where the devil resides, however, that could mean just about anywhere. Im On Fire is the current single and representative of the album in its sonic energy. Steve Arringtons Pure Thang isnt pie-eyed praise nor is it tough-guy street-credo but somewhere in between. More than anything, it presents an artist bursting to tell the Word in his own fantastic musical language. You may need to listen twice to get the full impactbecause the first time around, trust me, you will be too dazzled by the musical fireworks to focus much on the words.
Four of Five Stars
gPod Picks: Im On Fire, The Devil Cant Sing Amazing Grace, Soul Food.
Posted by Bob Marovich

http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/The_20_Best_Albums_Of_2009_/38022/p1/

STEVE ARRINGTON - Pure Thang (Independent)
It isn't often that an artist leaves 20 years between releases but that's what's happened for Arrington. Signed to a mainstream label in the '80s and enjoying successful singles in the UK charts (remember "Feel So Real"?), the newly saved Arrington combined spiritual themes with great soulful pop music before moving out of music into ministry. A couple of years ago, I tracked him down to his church in Ohio and discovered that he was about to return to music. And here it is, his first gospel project! 'Pure Thang" shows that Arrington still has the voice and the funky production and hook-filled songwriting are equally strong. With a pumping positive message of love to the world that pours out of every track from the opening "Right Here Right Now" to the closing "It's True" this has to be the comeback album of the year.
Mike Rimmer

http://www.powerhouseradio.com/classicsoulblog/index.php/site/comments/steve_arrington_slides_into_a_pure_funk_thang/

Steve Arrington Slides into a Pure Funk Thang
I was pleasantly surprised with the good news about Steve Arringtons new 2009 release, Pure Thang, a collection containing 17 tracks.
 Arrington was the vocalist fronting Slave, and Steve Arringtons Hall of Fame.
These groups brought us Just a Touch of Love, Slide, Weak at The Knees, as well as other hits.
When Steve left classic soul to become a minister in the early 1990s, one assumed that his funky grooves would forever take a back seat to sacred melodies.
Like the metamorphosis of Al Green, and to a greater extent former Isley Brother Chris Jasper, Pure Thang keeps a legacy sound authentic while seeding the songs with positive spiritual messages.
This record is definitely a funk album, however Steve subtlety works in lyrical references to reflect his faith and beliefs while keeping the devotional anecdotes about love respectful.
There are lots of positive messages to pick up on between the funky grooves.
Pure Thang is heavy on the bass and percussion, a signature Steve Arrington treatment.
He plays most of the instruments on several tracks. Guest musicians round out the sound on other songs throughout the project.
 Arrington has his own style. He improvises a lot lyrically travelling through these tunes keeping the pace lively.
Youll find two instrumentals, Coolin and Sunrise. These are jazzy mid tempo
movements providing a couple of time out breaks from his gritty n glorious groove.
The ballad Song for Coretta and Rosa is an ode to two great women of civil rights history.
Spiritual shout outs dont distract from the fun as the tone of Pure Thang is to entertain rather than to preach.
My favorite track is Soul Food, a driving culinary confection complete with yummy references to stick to your ribs delights.
Arrington praises all things wonderful at the dinner table, including family, tradition, and history. He then tips his hat to both Marvin Gaye, and the Staple Singers.
"Right On Time talks about the beauty of a romantic relationship blessed and guided by virtuous good.
In The Devil Cant Sing Amazing Grace, Steve asserts that the devil doesnt run the show any more.
"Its True follows the devil track and pulls no punches with its message of salvation.
Steve reminds us with glee that you know this funk its got power in Power. Funk rules.
Overall, Pure Thang is a welcome return for Steve Arrington. When an artist writes,
arranges, and produces their own album, its hard to objectively balance the right mix of creative variety while you wear all the hats.
I think some additional collaboration with other talent might have pushed Steve a little
further. With that said, the stand-out tracks help sustain continuity throughout the release.
The arrangements are not overly elaborate, keeping the funk groove up front without complicated distractions.
Listen to 30 seconds of Holla from Pure Thang, and visit Steve Arringtons official website.
Steve Arrington Pure Thang:
1. Right Here Right Now
2. Im on Fire
3. Time To Ride
4. Nobody Else
5. I Like What You Do
6. Song For Coretta and Rosa
7. Coolin
8. Right There
9. Power
10. Holla
11. Sunrise
12. Tones
13. Soul Food
14. Pure Thang
15. Right On Time
16. The Devil Cant Sing Amazing Grace
17. Its True
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Posted by King on 12/04 at 12:00 AM