“Stunning Album” says Solar Radio

Stunning album, very instant and likeable with several standout tracks. Mixing old school sensibilities, very Southern Funky kind of vibe, but still very much an album for now. Rock with me. Midtempo, mellow vibe, catchy and I’m sure the UK will love this, sort of crossover (UK definition) type sound, and already getting plays by me at SoulFreedom events.

Mr. Shonuff has that southern funky feel, bit kind of stax-y bit kind of TK, but again
Instantly likeable and this is where the album scores heavily, the easiness that it feels.

That said there’s heavier soul stuff too and it’s about you is possibly my favorite cut of all, a top ballad.

But all tracks are strong; a very powerful deep soul blues “you’ll Never Know” is growing on me by the minute and might soon be my favorite. Sometimes with instant tracks, I worry that they may lose longevity but this kind of track stays in you forever.

So Melissa can cut it at lots of levels and this should bring good success if there is any justice.

-Mike Ashley/ Solar Radio

SoulPatrol Highly Recommends “Just Up The Road”

** Melissa Young - “Just Up The Road”
(Supersonic Southern Soul)

I like this young lady from Atlanta, Ga. She’s a badd mama jamma and
she’s very reminiscent of another young woman from Atlanta we like a
whole lot named Ms. Monique. Melissa Young is in your face just like
artists Betty Wright, Barbara Mason, Millie Jackson, etc. from the past.

In addition to the lyrics & lead singing this album features soulful
guitar licks (a’la Bobby Womack/Wah Wah Watson), Drums that snap (a’ la
James Gadsden) and spoken word interludes that would make most rappers
wish they could go back to their high school English classes. Black
music needs more female artists like Melissa Young. I’m sick and tired
of hearing “passionless female singers” with beautiful voices, seems
like they are a dime a dozen in 2007. These are terrible times we are
living in and Black music needs strong females who are willing to
confront issues & problems directly. In fact it could be argued that
part of the reason why Black people are in the sorry shape they are in
right now is because Black females have “let stuff slide.” The evidence
of that can be seen the god awful behavior of young people today. Now I
realize that I may be on thin ice with some of yall and if that is the
case, so be it. But I have a feeling that Melissa Young wouldn’t allow
her son to sport a mouthful of gold teeth or wear his pants down around
his ankles & displaying his underwear for the world to see. Melissa
Young doesn’t tolerate “bad behavior” from her men, so I know she
wouldn’t tolerate it from her son. Kicking off with the monster slow jam
called “Rock Me”, Melissa Young is telling her young man exactly what
she wants, when she wants it and exactly how she wants it. On “Mr. Show
Neff” a song where Melissa Young seems to be describing her “deal man”,
she asks her prospective lover “did you get your stuff from your momma
or daddy?” Later in the song she she says “your momma must be proud of
you.” When was the last time that you heard an artist suggest that
“good parenting” might be a part of the criteria for finding the right
mate? There are more of these types of philosophies sprinkled through the
album and it’s refreshing to hear. Melissa Young - “Just Up The Road” is
a heavy & serious album that should be warmly welcomed by fans of true
soul music everywhere. This album is highly recommended

-Bob Davis, Soul Patrol

SoulTracks says “She hits it out of the ball park”

The opening tune, “Rock With Me”, immediately sets the mood of a silk scarf draped over a boudoir lamp. The tune’s teasing guitar chords and classic bassline showcase musicians successfully evoking the stepper’s set seductive mood. Here Ms. Young produces a timeless lyric that is tender, tentative and universal for grown folks struggling through first date sexual decisions. She hits it out of the ball park again with the inspirational title track “Just Up The Road.” The tune sports an endearing duet with her father, whose well-laid vocals surprisingly sound like the grits and gravy Ron Isley readily dished out back in the day. Funky bass guitar and hot chocolate harmonies accompany Ms. Young’s arched back declarations about her “Mr. Shonuff” fan-waving sexual appeal. On these tunes, Ms. Young is a striking, fun-loving figure who enthralls. Speaking of declarations, set against a stunning backdrop of horns, organ flashes and saucy backing vocals, Melissa’s no-nonsense delivery of “Just A Girl” is the ultimate “take me as I am or move the hell on” ode to self-love.
-L. Michael Gipson, SoulTracks

Blues And Soul Review’s “Just Up The Road”

MELISSA YOUNG; Suga Shack Music
JUST UP THE ROAD
Rating 4 out of 5

Melissa Young hails from Greenville, South Carolina and, surprise, surprise – she started her singing career in the Church. ‘Just Up The Road’ is the young lady’s debut set and both those CV items are self-evident from the word go. The opener here, ‘Rock With Me’ is a delicious slab of modern soul. It’s subtle and sophisticated and though in no way frenetic and frantic it’s a perfect dancer – especially fro the growing number of arthritic-afflicted modern soul people (age is wonderful, isn’t it?). You’ll love the little instrumental hook, too. The next three cuts are almost as good – gentle and subtle – but still right for dancing in the appropriate arena. One of the trio - ‘Its About You’ boasts an interesting production – starting like a ballad with hints of ‘If You Don’t Know Me By Now’, it develops into a clipped, medium beater. It’s a good cut – but best of the bunch is a wonderful ‘Funny’. It’s a very gentle tune, given an edge by Melissa’s Church-reared vocal. The melody’s enhanced by some sweet harmonies and in short, it reminds me of why I got mixed up in this crazy soul world in the first place. Elsewhere there’s some sweet ballads in ‘You’ll Never Know’ and ‘Stay’ while ‘Be There’ and ‘Silver Buttons’ lean towards the R&B tip – but nothing really wrong with that. However I keep coming back to ‘Funny’ and that lovely opener, ‘Rock With Me’ – proper music for grown ups.
—BILL BUCKLEY, Blues And Soul

“Sweetly Melodic” - Soul Buffet London

Melissa Young Delivers A Fine Debut Album That Take You On A Journey Yet - “Just Up The Road”

YOU DON”T HAVE TO GO FAR TO HEAR THIS SOUTHERN FRIED VOICE FILLED WITH HEART AND SOUL- 11 TRACKS OF SWEETNESS.

IN STORES- September 11, 2007 on SugaShack Music

Hailing from the South and residing in Atlanta – Melissa Young was born into music. A songstress soaking all the flavor of home into her art. This vocalist draws from her rich, southern roots to bring forth a tasteful blend of soul, funk and R&B grooves that take you back, but yet remains totally fresh and of the moment.

There is a lot of variety on this album and her father even lends his voice on the title track ‘Just Up The Road’. All-and-all, listeners will be quietly escorted through a colorful journey and it is sure to be a treat to the ears, and the soul. Ms. Young gets up close and personal and it’s hard not to be drawn into the soulful-poetic life experiences that she so vividly sings about.

Her album, “Just Up The Road”, is set for release in 2007 as one of SugaShack Music’s debut projects.

Blues & Soul Gives Melissa Young A Review