'The Soulful Sound of FER Records'
|
Quality Soul and R&B Music On CD, LP and
12" |
|
|
Mark (Fish) Coddington label out of the Midlands
is consistently finding top quality contemporary soulful sounds and getting
them out through his label. In addition some of his artists are often seen
showcasing some of the top Soul events in the country. It seems to me that Mark
is out there and he knows the look and feel first hand of what the people want
and what's going down. The basic of these components are always there but are
added to sometimes by some additional remixes that divert attention into other
popular genres, usually R'n'B.
You can never give any label a 100% seal of
approval for every disc releases but if you pick up any FER release it's
unlikely that you will go far wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BABY LEE –
GOODBYE - FERTW2 Sweet but
vocally strong soul over a clean modern soul backbeat. Some tinkley keys and
distant overdubs and scratches adds interest without detracting from a
quality vocal cut. The original mix though does it more for me as it's more
upfront vocally and has an intro to die for, |
|
|
|
|
|
SHABAZZ -
WILL YOU BE THERE FERTW3 A storming
tempo, a pounding guaranteed dancefloor filler, hook to get the dancers
singing and flaying their arms. Great stuff. The Urban mix is altogether
sparser, but still with some pace to the track, maybe too much in fact. |
|
|
|
|
|
THE
CYNTHIA BIGGS PROJECT feat Sharon Bryant - CAN'T OUTLOVE THIS LOVE
FERTW4 The Paul
Andrews mix is the one for the Modern Soul dancers. Great vocals from this
wonderful Philly songstress, diva indeed. Much preferred to the beat to the
front, vocals to the back M Doc remix. |
|
|
|
|
|
CORNELL
STONE
- NEVER GET ENOUGH OF YOUR LOVE FERTW5 Nights over
Egypt which still gets plays in it's own right even do, makes this instantly
recognizable as Cornell adds a quality soulful vocal to it. Sort of sweet
midtempo as the lead and the harmonies intertwine. And do you
like Luther, then turn this over for a sublime ballad, close your eyes and
it's Luther, both in vocal style and lyric content. |
|
|
|
|
|
JAMECIA
BENNETT
- IF I GO BOY - FERTW6 This is still
pretty good and it would be a shame to diss it but on a comparison to the
other output this is a tad weeker. Doesn't quite have enough. Conversely
though Jamecia on Bonie and Clyde she crosses over to the R'n'B side better
than both Cynthia and Shabazz. |
|
|
|
|
|
HEADQUARTERS
- COME TO MY WORLD FERTW7 There is so
much uninspiring backing tracks on independent product these days it is
usually refreshing to find a band where that is not the case, where you can
feel the punchy horns or percussion. Thus when such a thing is fronted by
strong soulful vocals you can't go wrong. Come to my world is more instant,
Betcha is funkier and a bit of a throw back to disco days |
|
|
|
|
|
GARY
DES-ETAGES - ALL I WANNA DO / DANCE WITH ME FERTW8 Gary is one
of the labels mainstays. This pounding beat but a bit stop start,somewhere in
between soul and R'n'B. I find this one a bit difficult to get into, but
there is an alternative mix see below. Of the two on this 12 Dance with me is
the better cut. |
|
|
|
|
|
GARY
DES-ETAGES - ALL I WANNA DO FERTW9 Remixes of
the tracks on the previous – but here we get the inspirational gospel house
mix. I don't know who selects the tracks that will maybe go R'n'B or House
and get the remixes done, but good choice on this one. Much smoother, though
obviously very House, than the previous mix. Similarly Dance with me gets an
upgrade to a Modern Soul beat. So out of 8 and 9 it's number 9 for me. |
|
|
|
|
|
SHABAZZ -
HAVE A GOOD TIME FERTW10 Another label
stalwart Shabazz, and his album is great, but I am not too convinced with the
first mix. The Freak one for me is the best. Whilst on the subject though the
labels mixes of whatever type are always clean and crisp. |
|
|
|
|
|
GARY
DES-ETAGES – ANYTHING FERTW11 Straight
R'n'B mix on this one, has the Urban head nodding beat (Freaky that – I
honestly did that before I read some of the other cuttings!) that is
currently hitting the youth dancehalls on a Friday night. This one not out of
place amongst all the big names. So logic should dictate that Gary becomes a
big name. Let us hope so! The more I feel this the more it hits on me. I think
Gary is well suited to this material as I sometimes find the vocal a bit
monotonous but it feels real upbeat on this. Style variety
on the reverse with one for the Soul Headz. A great pairing. What is good for
me is that the tracks are not necessarily instant like some of the real big
tunes (on the Modern scene). The turnover of product these days is so great
it is good to have something that builds over time so persevere with them. No
monotony on here as the voice range is allowed to soar. |
|
|
|
|
|
HEADQUARTERS - SET YOUR SPIRIT
FREE FERTW12 Featuring
Anjelai Anuforo on vocals takes Headquarters off in a slightly different
direction. Gospelly, housey amd soulful. Feel the vibe indeed, this is a
track I find myself returning to and is fast becoming one of my favourites
listed here. Free is even
more pounding and more upbeat yet the vocals still come through strongly.
Nothing particularly wrong with the 'club' version but the album is about as
club-by as it needs to be. |
|
EP's |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PARK PLACE
- THE INVISIBLE MAN – EP FEREP2 |
|
|
|
|
Albums |
|
GARY DES ETAGES – NO COMPROMISE – FERCD10 August 26 release for this long awaited debut album from Uk
soul/ r'n'b singer Gary Des Etages. Gary has built up a following and
reputation at the Prestatyn and Cologne Weekenders, as well as shows at
Southport, Fleetwood and the Soul Village weekender events. Laced with the tracks mentioned above ding the rounds on 12, the
excellent R'n'B of Anything through to the Groove tracks like All I wanna do,
Don't I know you and Dance with Me. I don't have the full tracks available but My mind won't let me
(shake free) is good sounding upbeat R'n'B with perfectly fitting vocals, Bad
Mutha Luv in a similar vein but a bit messier. The title track No Compromise cuts a groove, quite mellow but
yet still a good enough beat for the dancefloor, and I would assume is being
saved up for later release. Can we ever, has a bit of a retro feel to it. U don't try to change me, complete with sample of the Dramatics
Whatcha see is what you get, giving it a familiarity not to mention a feel.
The pace is down for a piece of Urban loving on How can I love you down. If
one of the urban upbeat tunes hit this one could go down as a follow up. A
track of sure fire quality that would compete with say a Tyrese if given half
a chance. Continuing on a slower tip with 2 much 2 lose, Why, before picking
up the 'disco beat' with a cover of Change's Glow of love. Then concluding
with the aforementioned beats. The album cuts across several areas and styles and hopefully one
of the tracks will ascend Gary Des Etages into a position of some prominence.
Tracks – Anything, My mind won't let me shake
free, Don't I know you, Bad Mutha Luv, No Compromise, Can we ever, U don't
try to change me, I knew, How can I love you down, 2 much 2 lose, Why, Glow
of love, All I wanna do, Dance with me. |
Reviews
Index - Reviews
Visitors: 114989
Programming
Get a degree today
Click Here!
Bravenet.com
(View Stats)
Visitors: