Modern Musings – Grooves from the Modern Side with Mark Randle – January 2004

Previous reviews here : - Summer 2003 modernmusings October 2003 modernmusingsoct

(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)

Mary J Blige                      Willing & Waiting                                         (US Geffen CD “Love & Life”)

Not particularly new, but one of the problems with a quarterly column is that sometimes things find there way into yer grubby mits just after a column has been submitted.  Such was the case with this album, and yes it’s just another MJB album really, until you reach track 9 that is.  “Willing & Waiting” will surely be seen as one 2003’s top dancers at year-end.  Using Atlantic Stars “When Love Calls” to fine effect, this is as instant as they get when it comes to swinging those hips.  Monster!!

Rue Davis                         Let Me Lay You Down                                                (US Knock On Wood CD “Dapp Daddy”)

Southern soul is not to everyone’s taste, but this cut just slays me.  Any doubters of the genre, who dismiss this kinda stuff without so much as a listen, need to change their ways or run the risk of missing music as good as this.  A real soul singer and a real soul song………what more could you want.  If memory serves, this is the same label that brought us the Lasha Jackson albums from a couple of years back.

Willie Clayton                     Tell Me                                                    (US Endzone CD “Classic Soul Volume 1”)

Short and sweet this………….another Willie Clayton CD, and complimenting the Rue Davis’ cut is Willie’s version of General Crooks “Tell Me”.  Willie’s a great vocalist and this is superb real soul music.  You’re spoilt for real soul quality this time around people.

Hardsoul feat. Ron Carroll                               Back Together                    (US Soulfuric 12”)

Now then, I know this is another one that is not particularly new, but I’ve just got to give this a mention.  This record should be looked back on in years to come as THE choon that changed the face of the traditional Modern scene.  This transcends all barriers and pigeon holes that people care to put on our music, it’s simply fantastic 21^st century soul.  Even the guys that see “soulful dance” music as a vehicle for the anti-christ actually like this record.  The synth strings that open the cut have anthem stamped all over them, with great keys throughout and Ron’s pleading real-life tale of wanting to get back with his love after a break up.  Absolutely awesome music, which had ‘em all jumpin’ when performed live at Southport I hear. 

Walter Thomas                                            Open Up My Heart               (US Walter Thomas CD “Well Done”)

This album is being touted for the dancer “Holy Grace”, decent enough, but I couldn’t believe my ears when I first heard this cut.  This is an absolutely fantastic example of glorious inspirational mid-tempo soul music, with it’s rolling bass and drum, plucked strings and floating light and airy vocal.  I can’t believe this cut has remained unmentioned.   This choon definitely contains that “feel good factor”………wonderful stuff!!

Israel & New Breed                           Real                                            (US Epic CD “Real”)

This is probably the biggest gospel dancer in the country at the moment, and I think credit goes to Miles Eastwick for getting this one away and preventing it from disappearing into obscurity.  Having a long, slow, spoken introduction and a slow break in the middle might make this a less than obvious dance floor choice for some, but Miles had the vision and belief in the quality of the song and performance to go with it.  Sounding not unlike the great Howard Hewett……..miss it at your peril.

Aretha Franklin                               Holdin’ On/Wonderful                                                            (US Arista CD “So Damn Happy”)          

Aretha’s back with a mighty fine album in 2003.   Two really solid dancers to single out though, both going down equally well on the nations dance floors.  The plodding “Holdin’ On” may be the most obvious of the two, but “Wonderful” is just what it says on the tin!!  Arista has seen fit to release this on a 7”, which is intriguing, but will please the old skool amongst you.  It seems to be fashionable to do this at present, with J Records releasing both Luther and Alicia Keys recently in this format.  Back to Aretha, and I must just warn you to look out for remixes of “The Only Thing Missin’” and “Wonderful”.  I think many folk may find the Blaze remix of the former just acceptable, but the remix of “Wonderful” I’ve heard was doggy dooo’s…….anything but wonderful!!

Gary Des Etages                              Glow Of Love/No Compromise/You Don’t Try To Change Me      (UK FER CD “No Compromise”)

After years of effort, the odd cut released via compilation or promo CD-R, and a successful string of PA’s, Gary Des Etages has finally come to the fore via Mark Coddington’s FER imprint.  Credit to ol’ Fishy boy for having the courage in his convictions and laying some money on the line to enable this guys unquestionable talent to shine.  I have read mixed reviews of the album elsewhere, the main thrust of the negative vibes being that this album doesn’t know which direction it wants to take…………soul or R&B?  To me, and I’ve said it many times on these very pages, this is a shrewd move by the label owner, to appeal to a broad fan base, thus maximising sales and Gary’s exposure.  Good business sense and the right move for all involved I’d say.  You’ll be familiar with the cuts that are relevant to these pages, “Glow Of Love” being particularly popular at present, but the title track is a great dancer too, and is also available as a 12”.  Music like this by a UK artist on a UK label needs your support.  Buy it!

Dennis Taylor                                 Most cuts                                     (UK Dome CD “In The Mood”)

This is the third album for Dome records from Dennis Taylor and it follows on in the same vein as the previous two.  That will please some but infuriate others, it depends on your school of thought.  Artists are criticised for being samey, but in my opinion if you happen to be a fan of their style you’ll lap it up, and wouldn’t want the format to change.  That’s how I feel about Dennis Taylor and, say, Gary Taylor…….I could listen to them all day.  Anyway, as a result of this, I don’t really need to describe any of the cuts in real detail, but you need to look out for the likes the dance floor friendly grooves of “At The Place” and the title track.  It’s as solid an album as you’ll find in this column.

Seek                                           All cuts                                        (UK Dome CD “Journey Into Day”)

The third album from Seek sees them getting a UK release through Dome.  Being part of the same Atlanta scene as Donnie and Sirius B, here the six strong outfit deliver Dome another solid album for their catalogue.  This is one of those rare occasions where you can forget the skip button.  Too many good cuts to single anything out, but the very Naked Music (a la Petalpusher) sounding “Something Real” takes some beating down.  What makes this album so good for me is the real musicianship on display.  Unmissable. 

A. Ray Fuller                                  Work To Do                                   (US A Ray Artists CD “The Weeper”)

Tucked away on well-known session guitarist/producer Ray Fuller’s latest album, is this fine version of the Isley’s “Work To Do” featuring THE MAN, Phil Perry.  The album’s a who’s who of big names in the session world, and whilst being a quality affair, it is essentially an instrumental workout with “Work To Do” the standout cut for us.  Quality guitar work from Ray underpins the voice of big Phil.  This is very funky and perfect shuffling dance floor fodder for the quality venues, with not a bouncing castle in sight.  This is a total quality cut that could have quite easily slipped the net.

Tiffany Laing                                 All Cuts                                        (US 12 Tribes CD “The Return”)

Tiffany Laing’s “Better Than Before” was one of my favourite choons of 2001, getting mucho early doors rotation from me at the excellent Hardinge Arms gigs.  She returns with what I believe to be her second album, and what a stunner it is.  Gospel based, with nearly all of the songs written and produced by Tiffany and husband Lew, this is one of those amazing indie albums which defies logic as to why it doesn’t make it to a major.  With indie set-ups now able to achieve the kind of production qualities required of digital media, it seems this is the way to go for many talented artists, being able to retain their musical integrity.  With music as good as this, these artists only have to get the word out on the streets (something which is becoming more and more achievable with the internet) and they will be flying.  The title track is a real instant mid-tempo dancer…..very “Prestwich”, if you get my drift.  “He Lovez Me” is a real deliciously dreamy number with Tiffany doing her little girl lost vocals…..just beautiful.

“That Tree” is a jazzy number with a catchy chorus containing wonderful female backing vocals.  Other cuts to look out for are “Fly Away”, further dancers in “Brand New Reason” and “Free”……oh, this is pointless really………it’s a solid album and you need it in the collection. 

Ja’Nel                                         My Groove                                     (US Jellybean Soul 12”)

 The Jellybean Soul label quietly releases some consistent, quality stuff, Abicah Soul’s jazzy instrumental “Lacumbia” from 2002 being still on heavy rotation in the Randle household.  This release is as good as they get though, and this is a strong vocal cut more appropriate for these pages.  Big Moses Smuv Gruv Vocal Mix is the one to go for, a great dancer with a hook that will go round in your head for days once you’ve heard it.  Ja’Nel pronounces that “My groove may not make you move…..” but I tell you it will!  A choppy rhythm punctuated sharply by clever percussion, topped by Ja’Nel’s not particularly powerful but accomplished gospel inspired vocal.  I believe Jellybean is THE Jellybean of 1980’s fame.

Duron Tarik feat. Children Speak           Not Over                                      (US Space Kat 12”)

This is a cut I first heard back in May when I guested at Cagneys in Bournemouth, where it was played as a pre-release, by Soulshyne main man Paul Sutton.  Another killer cut from cult label Space Kat records, this is now available for all to own.  Set to quite an urgent beat, this uses a kind of child’s choir on the chorus (hence Children speak I guess), which on paper could make it seem a bit twee, but it works really well……honest guv.  There are a couple of nice jazzy breaks along the way too, which help to keep the listeners interest.  Nice stuff and a collectable label for the future. 

Owusu & Green                                Nevermore                                     (US Naked Music 12”)

The 12” releases on Naked Music records seem to have slowed down in 2003, but the latest offering for the imprint is a real goodie.  It’s a little different in style to the usual 12” releases, in a way probably more akin to the some of the material on their “Carte Blanche” album compilations.  Not an instant record but once it’s in your head it will stay there.  I’ve never heard of these guys, but I believe they are actually from somewhere like Denmark.  Quality music seems to come form all corners of the globe these days doesn’t it?

Erykah Badu                                  Back In The Day                             (US Motown 12”)                

Erykah returns with her third album, the second for Motown, and the killer cut sees a release on 12” too.  “Back In The Day” pays homage to yesteryear according to Erykah, growing up with music that was real and not hearing the same songs on the radio all day……….how true!!  This is as quirky and catchy as hell and sees Miss Badu in winning form.  I’ve heard mixed reactions to the album but I like it…..she’s a class act. 

Alicia Keys                                                You Don’t Know My Name                    (US J Records 12”)             

The lead single from Alicia Keys’ follow up album to her “Songs In A-Minor” debut has really got all the boys in a spin!  Taken from the forthcoming “Diary of Alicia Keys” set, this has apparently brought grown men to their knees, drowning in a puddle of tears.  She’s appeared on the likes of Top Of The Pops with this song, so there’s hope that the times may be a-changing, and that the real quality stuff that we like will have a place in the mainstream in the not too distant future……………now wouldn’t that be nice?

Al Green                                       I Can’t Stop/Million To One                 (US Blue Note CD “I Can’t Stop”)

Al Green returns with an album for Blue Note records, produced, arranged and mostly co-written by the legendary Willie Mitchell.  This drips with old school sensibilities, as you might imagine.  Al’s last set for MCA produced two popular dancers in “Keep On Pushing Love” and the title track, “Your Heart’s In Good Hands” and again, it’s the title track here that will cause a stir on educated dance floors.  But this is about far more than that track alone, it’s a great album……….full of strings, horns and fantastic arrangements.  Just listen to the would be Yarmuff-style winner “Million To One”…….awesome.  Do check this album out…..it’s essential!!

 I’ll briefly mention some other things worth looking out for…….the full album on Anthony Hamilton, the great Sirius B Project material at last sees a release through Café de Soul, the excellent Musiq 12” “Forthenight” on Def Soul, and a hot off the press 12” on Irma that’s just snook in the door……..Don Carlos feat. Michelle Weeks “Take Me Higher”………blistering vocals.

Cheers        Mark Randle        December 2003                                                                                         

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