TY CAUSEY: – N-Tysing
(US Apria Records, 2004)
Rise Up - Keep It Smooth - Lifetime Friend - I Feel Her Shadow - Your Love's A Mystery -
Love Light - Sands Of Love - Everything About Cha - Reminisce In The Moonlight -
Sweet Talking - Vibin' - Until Sunrise
This really is an excellent CD - it falls into the rare category of being a "no risk disc".
All readers of "The Lowdown" will warm to this album, be they soul lovers or jazz lovers
as it definitely crosses over the boundaries on more than one occasion and to me the
boundaries are rather blurred all the way through. Loving quality soul and vocal
jazz as I do then this is a very comfortable zone to sit in!
Ty Causey is a name that will be familiar to those who enjoyed the 1998 set from
Najee, "Morning Tenderness", where Ty provided vocals. In turn, Najee pays his
dues and appears on this album as a performer and producer on two acclaimed songs.
Guitarist, Nelson Braxton, also puts in an appearance, and adds his special
blend of playing to the musical brew. So, if you love the quality side of
vocal soul-jazz then this is the CD for you.
If you loved the more soulful and midtempo songs by Richard Rogers on his
"Soul Talking" set for Expansion in 1996 then this will be up your street.
Ty has great vocal similarities with Richard Rogers and this, to me, is a definite plus.
Production-wise this is in the major label league and not in the more modest realms
of some independent recordings that presently flourish.
The majority of this CD is in the midtempo bag, and only track one, "Rise Up"
is an instrumental. I have many favourites, the first being the SUPERB ballad
"Your Love's A Mystery" which has a slight Paul Laurence / Kashif feeling to it,
especially with how the backing vocals are arranged. Sax solo comes courtesy of
Najee, of course! If you love the better vocal cuts from Najee / Marion Meadows
etc. then you will love this to bits. This is the cream that rises to the top
of the track listing, along with the KILLER "Until Sunrise".
Those who have George Duke's "Snapshot" CD from 1992 in their collection will
recognise this song instantly. The original is a high quality instrumental,
and what Ty has done is embellish this gorgeous, dreamy song with warm
and sensual vocals. I always hit the repeat play button with this track
and I know that lovers of the 'quiet storm' will really appreciate this.
The synth, the slap bass and Ty's gentle, wispish vocals do great justice
to this fine song. And...you will find Najee and Nelson Braxton involved here too.
Simply wonderful.
The midtempo songs that I rate are plentiful: "Keep It Smooth" really has
Ty in a Richard Rogers groove, "Lifetime Friend" being meatier and more
funky really hits the right spot and I think the lyrics are great. Vocally,
Ty's voice floats superbly; he really has a control over this style of groove
with grace and agility. "I Feel Her Shadow" features a great, great vibe
solo too adding extra jazziness where necessary. The bluesy funk of "Love Light"
is another gemstone in this crown and features more excellent vocals from this
amazing artist.
With each listen I become more hooked; the grooves and basslines are insistent
and demand repeat plays. "Sands Of Love" reminded me both vocally and musically
of Larry Springfield's better songs from 1992's "I'm Just A Man". Excellent.
If you are not grabbed by this CD first time, then I beg your indulgence
to play this again - the groove is irresistible and the production and
vocals of a highest quality indeed.
Consistent, safe and as far as I am concerned essential listening.
- Barry Towler
