Speech Thomas & Teddy Kane
Lightyear Video, 2019, DVD
Instrument: Male Vocals
Issue: 26.1
Jazz Ruler Type: R&B+Jazz
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 93
O’s Notes: Todd “Speech” Thomas of Arrested Development went into the Richmond, VA City Jail to lead a workshop for volunteer inmates in a rehabilitation program. It was a two-week venture that showed us the tremendous talent that exists in our jails but more importantly showed us the tragic stories of most of the incarcerated. The documentary followed the stories of four very talented men, three black and one white. Drugs, abuse and robbery lead to their incarceration. Music was a probable path out and Speech made an album with some of the music he recorded during his experience. We’d like to tell you that we can celebrate at least one of these stories but the only success story here is Speech accumulating funds for the artists if and when they ever can re-emerge. All are either caught in the circular cycle or on the street homeless. It’s a powerful movie.
Publicist: Music Video Distributors
