“Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things in life it’s showing you? Where are you going to? Do you know?” - Mahogany Theme - Diana Ross


The music industry is not an easy road to travel with its many twists and turns. When you set out to start and chart your own course it may be a bit bumpy. You think you are going down the correct path and then you’re told your material is all wrong. You crash and burn and learn from your mistakes, but you keep at it, because you know you’ve got what it takes. Sometimes you just have to take over the steering wheel and feel the music you want others to experience. It’s about carving out your own niche and ditch any thoughts of giving up just giving it your all. Even when it seems like you’re taking your last breath, keep on persevering not veering off to the left. ATL’s Michael Stewart is making a connection and heading in the right direction with his debut CD “Where I’m Going”.

On the keyboard driven “Happy” feat. Focist, Michael simply sings about the little things his lady does to keep him content “..the way you smile, you say my name got me in the ride switching lanes.” Flavored w/strings of the Orient, Michael puts a sukiyaki spin on the tune “It’s All About You” feat. Jae B “Baby you stay heavy on my mind and lately you are the love I thought I’d never find.” Bringing the Bolly sound into the mix, Michael makes “Try My Love” a song worth sampling “Girl be careful my love will make you lose all sense of direction take you places that you ain’t been..” The title cut, “Where I’m Going”, is a guitar strumming hook humming melody in which Michael maps out his destiny. It’s the type of tune to get you in the mood to take a road trip. “My dreams are so close I can taste it it’s my life and I know I can’t waste it /so close yet so far away, but I keep trying till the day...” On “Just Wanna Love You” Michael masters the acoustic guitar and will mesmerize you with his mantra “I just wanna love you, love you like you’ve never loved, love you unconditionally, baby.”

Michael takes a stroll down memory lane with a 60’s soul inspired song “Deep In Love” feat. Neysa. The chemistry of their vocals on this song is makes you think of a modern day Marvin Gaye and Tami Terrell. “Said I’m feeling you you’re so beautiful girl you really got me think about wifing you, this is crazy.” On the laid back “Feel Good Music”, Michael longs for the songs of substance and sounds that will stand the test of time “I want that feel good music the kind that makes me wanna just groove with my baby holding hands candlelight or just maybe chillaxing in the crib doing whatever we like.” Everyone wants to have a happy ending, but sometimes things don’t work out and you have to work through the pain. After a relationship has ran its course, Michael makes you feel like it’s possible to move on with “When It’s All Over” “..I would lie awake thinking what did I do wrong and so I sat and wrote this song it’s all that I could do.”

The ballad “Baby Yeah Yeah Yeah” Michael keeps it basic with breathy vocals that blow effortlessly over a jazz infused guitar. “..there’s no substitute our love is absolute can’t deny baby come what may.” Michael offers words of comfort and will make you melt on the heartfelt “Let Me Hold You”. His delivery on this song will bring a lump to your throat with each note. The song is reminiscent of neo-soul sounds of Chico DeBarge and D’Angelo with the haunting Pentecostal organ melody. “.. and I need you to understand that I only want the best for you, only want the best baby/and I know, I know it gets hard sometimes so let me take your stress away.” On “Why”, Michael is mauling over mistakes and makes an attempt to make it right. His flow is like Joe on this track and this is one song you’ll want to keep playing back. “You may not think that I deserve, but I know it’s worth it.”

Michael shift gears and steers in another direction incorporating relaxed island rhythms into the next couple of tunes. “Together” is about toughing it out even if it means going a different route “We gotta stick together don’t let them bring you down/we gotta stick together life can be so much better if we can just spread love around.” Michael stirs up memories of growing up on the Island of Jamaican the idyllic and irie “Back Home”. This song is also featured in the upcoming play by Marcia P. Samuels “Back Home Where Da Banana Tree Grows”. “See how much I miss the simple things cooked food and the sweet smile my mama brings don’t know when I’ll be back again, can’t wait til I get back again.”

Set the mood on cruise control as Michael maneuvers into a commercial cut, “Can’t Nobody.” Not much on lyrics, but the repetitive hook and mid-tempo melody will make this one memorable. “Can’t nobody love me the way you do there's no mistake, cause I wanna spend all my time with you, and girl you turn my grey skies to blue.” I’m having mixed feelings about “Island Girl”, a shout out to all the women of the Caribbean. It just feels like something is missing, maybe the music is too smooth. This song I would be feeling and would be more appealing if it was revved up with a riddim remix. Makes you think of Billy Ocean instead of more current crooners like Sean Paul or Wayne Wonder. “The way you wind you’re blowing my mind every time you’re genuine it’s your time to shine.” Michael teams up once again with Neysa ending on a good note with “Love Solo”. “It took awhile for me to see that you just weren’t the one for me /I’m tired of being in love solo so go on, bye, bye get the hell on.”

“Where I’m’ Going “ takes you on a journey of love and ventures musically where some men may be afraid to go. But not Michael Stewart, because music is his first love and he shares intimate thoughts without reveling in R&B raunchiness. This CD sets the tone when you want to be alone with that special someone or the need for your very own alone time. So come along for the ride and discover Michael Stewart’s “Where I’m Going”.




-Review by Jillina Baxter, Freelance writer