Royal’s 4-song EP begins with an electronic groove track called “Love Like A Freak” that serves up a clean mix with synthesized bass, sparse tasteful guitar and a hooky chorus line. The vocal effect at the end of track one is perfectly placed and Jones while dishing out a cool vamp, does not over sing the material with his unusual voice. “Make Things Nice” sounds like it came right off an early 1970’s Temptation album and Royal definitely steps into David Ruffin’s talented shoes. The keyboard parts and vocal harmonies sounded sweet as Rocky Mountain Chocolate through my headphones and I enjoyed the retro soul oozing out of my stereo. “Pain Stain” is more contemporary sounding electronic soul offering; but the vocal lines on this one sound a bit off for my tastes, notwithstanding the excellent musical effects. “Make Things Nice” closes the short EP with a heavy ½ time beat, laid back hip-hop vocals and horn parts weaved around them. The Royal Jones EP is a perfect calling card to hear what he can do as a vocalist and songwriter; and producer 'Codee' has done a masterful job recording and delineating the musical parts. As you may know, I believe in less is more and enjoy when music is not overpowered with too many instruments and overdubs and this effort never swims in those waters. Madmonk Grade A exerpt from TAXI Review of single "Pain Stain" ...you shouldn't be shy about showing off your brilliance. ... Posted by Wally Bangs ... some of the most off kilter, unique, and fractured funk and soul songs around. It’s electronic funk music for dancing in the clubs, but possessed of a chilled out ghostliness at times that makes you wonder who let the trip-hop in the door. ~ This CD has one of the most credible street vibes I've heard in a long time. My favorite track is "Ride Out of Control," a tribute to 70s funk, complete with a horn section and lazy, drawling rapping. The hook is the refrain, "If I ever come down, I'll behave, I'll be good." The bottom line is that you will move to this. Yes, it's sample-happy and completely synthesized, but it's bursting with soul. Make it your soundtrack for a Saturday night and see if you don't sound like Sylvia from Boston the next morning. this article comes from Indie-Music.com