In an era where AI-generated hooks and synthetic beats crowd the airwaves, Neal Conway is boldly rewriting the rules. A legend in his own right—known for co-producing the iconic house anthem “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)”, Conway is trading algorithms for authenticity, ushering in a renaissance with his label, Urban Retro Music Group (URMG).
For Conway, URMG isn’t just a label, it’s a declaration of artistic independence and cultural responsibility. Rooted in the legacy of Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and Curtis Mayfield, Conway is on a mission to bring soul, storytelling, and social awareness back to the forefront of music. His toolkit? Live instruments, meaningful lyrics, and arrangements that breathe with the spontaneity of real musicians.
A Sound Rebellion
Conway’s approach is a refreshing counterpoint to the hyper-digitized soundscape of today. URMG embraces lush orchestration, horns, strings, percussion and shuns formulaic production. “Music is almost not music anymore,” Conway laments. “We’ve lost the human fingerprint.” His call: a return to groove over gimmick, emotion over automation.
Broadcasting the Revolution
Through URM SoulPowerRadio, Conway’s sonic rebellion extends beyond the studio. The station doesn’t just play music, it curates legacy, educates youth, and bridges generations. While mainstream radio loops overplayed hits, SoulPowerRadio unearths underground gems and offers deep dives into the roots of hip-hop, house, jazz, and soul. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, it’s not just nostalgia, it’s discovery.
The Urban Retropolitan Movement
Conway’s upcoming passion project—the Urban Retropolitan Movement Project, is a genre-blending, boundary-breaking album inspired by Quincy Jones’s eclectic vision. Featuring powerhouse artists like Deborah Bond, Lori Williams, Colie Williams, and SOULe, the record will be a showcase of rich collaboration, heart, and heritage. It’s not just an album; it’s a manifesto in musical form.
Teaching, Not Preaching
Having taught music tech at UMBC, Conway sees a new curiosity brewing. “Young artists are digging for vinyl, experimenting with analog gear, they’re craving something real.” That hunger fuels his optimism. While corporate radio gate keeps much of the market, Conway believes the tide is turning. With college radio, digital platforms like Mixcloud, and a growing global appetite for substance over spectacle, the movement is gaining ground.
From Club Classic to Cultural Catalyst
If “Gypsy Woman” taught the world anything, it’s that raw, soulful music can cross continents and connect hearts. Today, Conway is harnessing that same magic—this time, with a vision bigger than any single hit. URMG isn’t here to compete with trends; it’s here to outlast them.
Looking Ahead
With goals of three Grammy-nominated projects and 100,000 dedicated SoulPowerRadio listeners in the next three years, Conway isn’t just playing for today, he’s building the future of timeless music. Programs like “The Iggie Da Que Show” and other deep-dive broadcasts are redefining what radio can be: not just a playlist, but a place.
Conclusion: A Movement, Not a Moment
Neal Conway is more than a producer, he’s a preservationist and a visionary. In a time of cultural noise, he’s offering clarity: real musicianship, real message, real music. The next chapter of urban retro isn’t about revival. It’s about revolution, one soul-driven beat at a time.
hoodcriticmagazine.com 