Kenyata Sullivan-“North Carolina” A masterpiece of singer/songwriter lo-fi. Kenyata has been a major force in the underground for some years now and this tape shows why. He exposes his soul, sings his heart out and understands dynamics. This tape may be known as the missing link someday. Damn, he’s good. (Lonely Whistle) KENYATA SULLIVAN “NORTH CAROLINA” One of the greatest zines ever was/is that Opulence/Crap thing from North Carolina, full of those kinda mad rants where someone else speaks the thoughts you never thought you had. Most of them were written by Kenyata Sullivan – yeah, it’s sometimes like there’s only about 60 talented people on the planet, all of us/you making most of the best music and writing the best stuff and in about eight million bands and doing about 30000 dozen zines. Kenyata’s also in a band called Pandora’s Lunchbox, know that ‘cause there’s a pic of them up by this table here, been here for years. Kenyata on his own goes for that US singer/songwriter stuff – some of it’s gorgeous and warm and moving, especially when he’s at the piano. Imagine self-whining trailer-park Randy Newman ultimate no-fi. Sadly, when Kenyata plays his guitar he thinks it’s compulsory to be wacky and zany and all that unbearable shite – though sometimes even here Kenyata pulls it off – like Will Oldham, but better. (From Dddd fanzine) KENYATA SULLIVAN-North Carolina Disarmingly beautiful and charming acoustic songs recorded with ambient mics. The same simple formula that made the FRANK PECK tape so devastatingly great works to the same effect here. KENYATA's songwriting is hauntingly melancholic, and touching in weird ways. Not all of it is ballady and mopey, there are upbeat moments as well which have a pungent American-ness to them. I don't know how else to describe it. "Old Man By The Highway" for example, sounds like a cross between prehistoric swamp blues and STEVEN STILLS. To me anyway. The confused vitriol of "The Things That Make Me Bitter" is like a BUSH song redone by BOB DYLAN (not vice versa). And "I've Done Everything" is more straight-ahead pop than anything, with a fairly giddy chorus. Breaking these songs down to their base elements and recording them so intimately is a very potent combination, and one I think more artists should explore. And if there was any doubt that KENYATA is the fuckin' man, this tape alone will put it to bed. Y'all need this. (AutoReverse fanzine) KENYATA SULLIVAN - self titled Solo tape that opens with a highly touching piano instrumental, which sets the somewhat morose tone for the rest of the tape. Acoustic guitar, earnestly strummed, accompanied by KENYATA's impassioned vocals. Could he be the male ANI DI FRANCO? I haven't listened to her enough to really comment, but so far I'd have to say "quite probably." He's a deft purveyor (if I can call someone such a thing) of the craft, he has definitely studied the masters and come away with something unique and useful. "Estuary" adds a clean electric guitar to the mix and is somewhat upbeat by comparison. The songwriting is tight and well-performed. The lo-fi recording brings it all a little closer too. Awesome. (AutoReverse fanzine)