Modern Musings – Grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle – Summer 2003
(These reviews appear first in Soul Up North, available from Howard Earnshaw, 19 Rectory Drive, Kirkheaton 44 1484 535999 £2 per issue – email soulupnorthhfe@aol.com – web www.soulupnorth.org - Big thanks to Howard and all at Soul Up North for letting me feature this)
The Chestnut Brothers Travellin’ On (US Abdent CD “Peace Suite”)
I first heard this cut some 3-4 years ago when the mouth from south Yorkshire, Mike Ward, played it as an exclusive whilst guesting on Richard Searling’s Jazz FM show. I was totally blown away, and with the show on cassette tape, this choon was on constant rotation for weeks. Imagine then, my delight when via the www.soul24-7.com website I was informed that this track was at last available. Result!! The Chestnut Brothers may be more familiar to most of you as Brotherly Love, of “Whole Lotta You In Me” and “Hey Sweet Lady” fame from the late 80’s early 90’s. This is a gospel based sing-a-long, uplifting mid-paced dancer of the highest order, which has caused a stir in the last couple of weeks when I’ve played it “out”. You need this, trust me! An interesting sleeve too, which as with their “Stop The Violence” set from 1993 under the guise of Brotherly Love, leaves you in no doubt what their message is.
TriSpirit feat. Tonni Smith Rejoice (US Soundmen On Wax 12”)
It’s gospel fired soulful dance music time people. From the Soundmen on Wax imprint, this cut gets underway with vocal wails and borrows heavily from the chorus to the classic “Wade In The Water”. If the churches in America belted out this kind of stuff then they would surely be rammed. A pumping bass line, great keys and brass stabs, whilst atop Tonni wails “He makes me wanna sing for the love he’s given me”……..”sing hallelujah”……….”rejoice him”. Brilliant stuff. The vocal bridge in the middle temporarily takes the record “down” and the electric piano then picks it up again and drives it along to its conclusion, with brass also to the fore. This is a piece of absolutely essential soulful dance music.
Kelli Sae Can’t Wait (US OGW Ent. CD “Heroine”)
This cut is set for some serious dance floor action in the coming months. Hot on the heels of her recent work with Incognito and her debut solo set from 1998, this is actually a pretty good album all round, but it’s undoubtedly “Can’t Wait” which will have everyone on the scene in a spin through the summer. Here we have a striding dancer with a subtle and excellent bass line and such a catchy chorus. Huge! Her performances on record perhaps doesn’t quite convey just how strong and agile her voice is, demonstrated to full effect during her recent live appearances with Incognito…….vocal pyrotechnics or what? A must.
Kindred & The Family Soul Most cut’s (US Hidden Beach CD “Surrender To Love”)
Chardovoine Illusions/Layback (US Charmusic CD “Fifth Season”)
This album is actually dated 1999, but has only just surfaced, I think originally through Mike Ward. Chardovoine is a guitarist and this is a typical smooth jazz album. But as always, there are a couple of nice vocal tracks to tempt you to part with your hard earned. The cut’s in question are “Illusions”, which is a sure-fire dance floor winner with a great vocal performance from Carol Cooper, of whom I know nowt, and the radio-friendly “Layback” featuring Frank Williams. Sublime. This CD is definitely one of those future obscurities, all the more desirable for the killer dancer, so if I were you, I wouldn’t wait too long before picking this up. If only track eight “Passion Stroke” had most of the solo guitar replaced with a good vocal!!
The Isley Brothers Prize Possession/Superstar (US Dreamworks CD “Body Kiss”)
It seems in the year 2003 that Mr Robert Kelly Esq. can do no wrong (well, musically anyway, and as this is about soul music we’ll avoid those debates). Why am I introducing a review of the new Isley Brothers album in this way? Because all but one of the cuts on offer here were produced, written and arranged by the man, and I think it shows (just listen to the intro to “Superstar” and compare with “Up & Outta Here”!). The album is decent enough, but the cuts garnering most interest on our scene are the aforementioned “Superstar” and the slow, moody and bass heavy Marvin-esque “Prize Possession”. All the tracks relevant to us (i.e. without unwanted guests like Snoop Dogg) are mid/down tempo, but it doesn’t get much better than this, children. Essential music. Acquire.
Earth Wind & Fire Most cuts (US Kalimba CD “The Promise”)
It was put to me that this is the best Earth, Wind & Fire album ever made. Not being an E, W & F expert I can’t really comment on that, but I do know a great album when I hear it, and in the main, that’s what we have here. From the opening dancer (also on promo 12”) “All In The Way”, through the very ‘Randle’ two step of “Betcha” up to track twelve, and probably my favourite cut, “Suppose You Like Me” and beyond. This is quality. It’s an expensive summer for you lot!
Kelly Price Back In The Day (US Def Soul CD “Priceless”)
There was never any disputing Kelly Price’s vocal ability from the day I heard “Friend Of Mine” from her first album. She’s back with her third set, and this is a good album from an accomplished artist. It’s generally quite mellow, but I’ll just point you in the direction of “Back In The Day”, a superb R&B (hate that term, but you get my drift) styled dancer sampling Maze “Joy & Pain”. Killer!
Steve Cole Tonight It’s On/Every Little Thing (US Warner Brothers CD “NY LA”)
Another smooth jazz set laced with a couple of nifty vocal numbers. “Tonight It’s On” is a great dancer, featuring vocals from Charlean Hines and Mauli B and driving sax by Steve. The chorus has the feel of Island Inspirational All-Stars “Don’t Give Up…………or is it Company’s “Somebody’s Praying For You”…….not sure and it’s bugging me! The other notable cut is the mid-paced “Every Little Thing” featuring Mauli B again, which also reminds me of something else recent…..aaaaaggghhhhh!!
Lattimore You’re The Reason/Around The World (US Brittney CD “Latt Is Back”)
On the key cuts on his new set, Lattimore manages to stay on the right side of the budget restraints that seems to blight southern soul albums these days. It depends on your expectations in the first place, but the days of employing full brass and string sections on these kinds of projects have long passed, fact. Having said that, many artists could do better with their synthesisers, making the result a lot more tasteful. “You’re The Reason” is a good dancer with great sax work throughout, and “Around The World” is ideal Yarmuff material. Worth picking up…………is there any chicken gravy left?
Dwele Find A Way/Let Your Hair Down (US Virgin CD “Subject”)
Another good album, not big on dancers, but highlighted in these pages for the mid-paced “Find A Way” and the chugging “Let Your Hair Down”. Also take a listen to the rolling “Money Don’t Mean A Thing”. Nice. It would appear that “Let Your….” is a bonus cut only available on the CD, so be bloody careful!
Miles Jaye Should Have Been Strong (US Black Tree CD “Humanity”)
Oh yes sir ! Miles Jaye returns in fine form with this new set for his Black Tree label. This cut is one of my favourite dancers of the last few months, which I think I first heard at Fleetwood weekender in March. With a spoken intro that belies what’s to come, this then really kicks, with a bass line to die for. Quite why a guy with the vocal talent of Miles Jaye isn’t a star is one of life’s great mysteries. This is a decent enough album, including a credible rework of Jaye favourite “Irresistible”. Maybe a little overuse of the electric guitar is the main fault on the album, but you really need “Should Have…..”.
Finally, I’ll briefly mention the ace 4-track promo album sampler from Sara Devine, “The Truth”, on Columbia and the two excellent vocal cut’s (“Summer Kiss” feat. John Stephens and “Let’s Do It Again” feat. Jaguar Wright) on six-string bassist Gerald Vealey’s new “Velvet” album for the Heads Up label. On the soulful house tip, try the classy and different Rufuss ”Higher Together” on US Qola Mota 12”. And I haven’t even mentioned “Café de Soul Vol. 3” which is as essential as anything mentioned here, especially if mellow is your thing.
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