MODERN SOUL and R'n'B REVIEWS

JAMES CONWELL - Let it all out - AM Tracks

Released on AM Tracks, POBox 23458 London SE26 6AY, email brian@amtracks.fsnet.co.uk, www.amtracks.freeola.com, and available from Timewarp Records on 020 7738 9488. This has been released to coincide with James' appearance at Togetherness Weekender this Autumn - Tickets from 01909 515150.

Jimmy Conwell is of course well known to the Northern Soul community for the classic CigaretteAshes (inst) /That Beating Rhythm (voc). That introduction and that riff is etched within every one ever associated with that scene. This album originates from1977, nad all tracks (bar one) are at least co written by James , and the legendary Len 'Jewell' Smith is heavily involved.

What shines throughout the album is James' excellent voice. His range both in tone and in style makes this a more than worthy purchase and there some 'must have' tracks.

LOVE is a gentle opener, a classic modern soul groover. I'm so glad is almost doowop -nice but probably a bit dated even for 1977 for mass appeal. Dreams of a shoeshine boy follows with a strong vocal.. Butterfly picks up the tempo again with a more falsetto lead, showing James versatility, though not a great track. Indian Giver is also not for me with its 'Western' noises - not sure that owuld be considered 'politically correct' these days!

From here though the album really picks up. Second Hand Happiness is again doo wop in feel but the vocal is strong - a good track. Let it all out is another heart rendering slowie, and we pick up again for the Modern Soul item in Another Sundown in Watts- Mellow and midtempo - a lovely track. Gotta have money is in a funkier groove. Then we have a version of Mellow mellow me - a track that I love by James Nelson but this cut does not fall foul of this and is equally as good, proving what a top Len Smith track it is.

The downsides are that there are a few weak tracks, and even with a 5 minute bonus track thrown in, there is little over 30mins playing time. Hey but I guess that's how vinyl used to be!

Not sure what this retails at but with 4 Modern Soul grooves and a couple of tracks I personally like this will be worth it.

LAMAR THOMAS - I get lifted - Single and Album

This one out of nowhere is a cracking Modern Soul side that I am sure will get many plays on the Modern Soul circuit. Already causing a bit of a stir following Soul 24-7 plays. Midtempo and melodic - excellent vocals and sparse backing vocals and meaningful lyrics. See the interview pages. Lets hope that a proposed tour takes off and this cut gets the release that it deserves. I am playing this at venues and it's going down well. Can't wait for the album.

Album now received which contains an extended mix of the above single - the more I hear this the more I like it. I do find the instrumental bits on the extended version a bit sparse though but, I don't know why - simplicity I guess - I just love the backing vocals.

I swear cross my heart - is slower slightly funkier, the backing is brightened up with a bit of sax. This is a very nice cut probably my pick of the lot although 'lifted ' is more obvious and better suited to club and radio play.

Shine (Come towards the light) - Lyrically we start to get harder here with social comment and inspirational message. Lyrically and vocally this is strong but I found the backing irritating.

Too many bitches in the temple - this is monologue style a la Curtis Mayfield or Gil Scott Heron with deep political commentary and I understand where this is coming from but there is a line that I thought was very controversial - 'seems like they're giving away the country to all the other countries and forgetting about the people who made America great'.

Don't make me lie to you - Back to a more mainstream soul groove - both musically and lyrically tho' not as strong as the first two cuts.

Woman don't be afraid - this was originally done for Lamar by Johnny Taylor on the Grammy nominated album 'Gotta get the groove back'. You can kinda here Johnnie Taylor in here - excellent supporting vocals making this a bit Stax like - remember the Johnnie Taylor - Carla Thomas duets.

All this adds up to a very fine album and I hope Lamar gets the attention he deserves from it.

The next four were obtained from Cdbaby.com. Firstly a few words about them. Terrific site for new and non major talent - small names and small labels abound with the ability to listen to snatches from a great deal of material. There's some quality stuff there. What is also great is the service and the off the wall customer relations. You'll have to buy to appreciate what I mean. Also they reduce postage by excluding the CD case and only send the CD and artwork. Simple but great idea especially when importing.

Maria Howell - Same old Story

This album seems to be a Japanese release although acquired through CD baby and recordedin Charlotte, North Carolina. This is a 9 track good quality R'n'B - Soul album. The R'n'B influenced tracks are not as 'hard' as some of the R'n'B out there which ensures that Maria's soulful voice shines through. All tracks were produced, written and arranged by Maria and /or Rodney Shelton.

'I got it bad' is in a mellow R'n'B style and is far better than some of the stuff charting these days. 'Please understand' is for me the stand out cut on the album. A soulful groove, soulful vocal and easy laid back chorus. 'Same old story', the title track continues this vibe - reminds me of something, maybe Latanya, which was one of my favourites of last year - so that's no bad comparison. Even slower and deeper on 'Turn it around'. Change of style with 'To sir with love' - bit poppier and I didn't like it too much. The tempo lifts with 'Lets get involved', and then back down to close

All in all a very good album and well worth buying.

One thing, the production is good and tight but a little mechanical - I could have done with the 'oomph' of some hard soulful horns or something with a bit of bite in places.

Lasonya Gunter - Black Gerl

This mini 7 track CD is getting some attention in the UK with some features in for example Echoes and, I believe, Soul 24-7. The opening track - This is how we living - is excellent conscious Modern Soul with an atmospheric groove is the best cut. Endlessly - is a nice track and the title track - Black Gerl - is a bit funkier.

All written by Lasonya (and lyrically it is a good album) and on her own label this has much to commend, although overall I was marginally disappointed with this given that it is creating some waves over here. Not as ballsy as I expected.

Karen Bernod - Some othaness for you

Sultry mellow jazzy soulful feel to this album. Conscious lyrics on Endangered Specie an excellent What's going on type of track. Chilling on the DL in a chillin' mood. Continued on Pray and Spirit with a not over the top Gospel tinge. Do ya wanna do is a bit Jill Scott. Looking for love is a favourite - very slow and relaxing. Reminiscing on yo' kissing is a Roger Williams favourite from last year. Closing with The pocket which is the most uptempo tho' it's not fast.

This is a top mellow album - good lyrics - relaxing -chillin -stylish

La' Trese

This is very much R'n'B and I liked this album a lot

Creepin is a brilliant R'n'B cut and with exposure could go big in those circles - certainly one for my Brannigans night where this kind of stuff is big. Love me like you is also good - needs a bit of an extended version- a bit short for this day and age. Can she and Jonesin are also very good in a similar vein - and by the way all tracks are written by La Trese.

Never say never is a bit different- less hard R'n'B and more soulful but I feel she's better on the R'n'B.

Back to R'n'B with Letters in my box and the rest. Let them know being the best.

A good quality album and the best ranks alongside much of the charting R'n'B out there - Not spectacular, a bit samey but not bad at all.

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