Taste of Soul closed down the 'Shaw Oct. 13 and attracted 50,000, according the LA Sentinel. And amid a trove of RandB starts, a resurgent Bobby Brown stole the show, according to Jeff Kuryack of LA2Day.com, who estimated 75,000 attended the second annual Taste of Soul.

"Last year was a wake up call that South Los Angeles is alive with its own vibrant drumbeat of heart-stopping music, taste-tantalizing foods and a unique multiculturalism," said event founder Danny Bakewell Sr. in his Los Angeles Sentinel.

Brown, Angie Stone and Evelyn "Champagne" King were among the performers down a mile-long stretch of Crenshaw Boulevard between MLK and Rodeo.

"Flanked by members of The Polyester Players and Mary Jane Girls, Brown provided the day’s uniquely memorable apex, freely pouring his passion to whoever would soak it up," Kuryak wrote. "Grateful for the opportunity to perform, the stage seemed a therapeutic relief for the man."

“I’m not all that they’ve said I am; I’m not a thug, I’m an entertainer,” Brown explained.

The set featured jazzed-out renditions of “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Roni”, and “My Prerogative.” At the bewilderment of the incredibly skilled band, Brown brought “My Prerogative” to a halt then re-worked it into a slow, syrupy groove, once again baring a scarred soul. Over this, Brown began singing the lyrics to Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition,” in poignant, bluesy fashion.

Kuryak then reported: Brown’s emotional whirlwind of a set seemed to come to a premature end as the event’s increasingly nervous organizers crimped Brown’s flow – maybe the powers that were felt he was starting to get a little too comfortable on stage. It left a bitter taste seeing his mic get cut off in mid-sentence as he was promoting his new single. A maturing Bobby Brown took it in stride, though, posing for photos with event coordinators before ducking back into his awaiting limo.