Soul Express CD Review

Kevin Nash returns to us in 2006 with a most impressive album of special love songs that have been inspired by two very special people in his life – his mother and father. His parents are the cornerstone of this album, and in the opening oratory, Kevin details why. His parents had been married 61 years before his mother sadly passed away; his father following 7 months later. They had 9 children and had a love for each other that is the envy of anyone who hears of it. This couple knew how to love and how to raise their family and now perpetrate their love ‘beyond space and time’.

Kevin’s album is much more than a personal and sentimental project. His parents can teach all of us a lesson, a great lesson. Kevin has studied well and is dedicated to teaching those willing to listen of what is the basis of all that is important in this world: love, tenderness and togetherness. Those of you who know Kevin from his first two outings in the early 90s will not need any further convincing. All I would like to add is that I feel this particular album has raised the bar in terms of song writing and in its level of production.

This is more of a Major effort – minus the dogma of course! This album is a journey of romance, love and seduction. It is tender, low-key in places and promises the listener of some latent eroticism. The melodies, the considered arrangements and Kevin’s sensuous vocals ally themselves together in a natural fashion. The result, for this man’s money, is fantastic. There is no cliché here, just passion. The first musical track is a very jazzy number with rambling piano, brushed cymbals and bass; very basic and no-nonsense smoky room material is this, and vocals are dreamily tailored to suit this amalgam. This works particularly well, and so does the beautiful and serene ballad "You And Me" which will easily be a favourite of those who buy this CD.

The only complaint I have is the presence of the "crackly vinyl effect", especially noticeable at the end. I’ve never been a fan of this! "Like Oooh" speaks of the flush of first love; a most amazing feeling indeed, and perfectly encapsulated in song here. The set contains – to my foggy memory at any rate – two remakes of earlier Nash recordings. The first is "Without You" which was a highlight from 1994’s "Love Ya Nine Tymes", the other being "Its True" which was contained on his 1992 eponymous EP. Both are spectacular revisions, changes and regenerated enough to be new songs in their own right. In fact, "Without You" is probably better than its previous incarnation. Its more atmospheric, sexy and detailed. I can’t get enough of this version, BUT I still like the original. Kevin has managed something many cannot do – recreate with imagination! The Temptations please take note!!!

The other is "It’s True" which bears little resemblance to his 1992 effort. There is more emphasis, elongated stress and dynamism in the vocal phrasing, and a more sexy feeling. This by no means does disservice to the original. I still adore the original version as it was perfect for 1992, but this version is perfect for the here and now. I love it. Simple as that. Another song I love (let’s face it, I like the whole darn set!) is the jaunty "Hope You Don’t Mind" – the additional finger-clicks, the key flourishes and jazzy undertone really is the dog’s dangly bits!! I always like listening to the sounds of nature, especially when married with sexy soul music. Here on "Sexy Song" we have tropical birds and a running stream along with Kevin’s monologue, and a bit of sax to boot courtesy of Panther. This is a lovely song and will not disappoint. This also appears alongside thunder in "Bubble Bath", which is a very tasty – albeit relatively short - instrumental. Wish it were a wee bit longer. I only hope the local wildlife doesn’t make off with the soap! Could be tricky, that. Anyhow, the gentle, bubbly "Let’s Make Love Tonight" with its Spanish guitar and knocking, clicking rhythm has the fait ghost of a Leon Ware production to it, and in my mind that’s not a bad thing at all!

"Wooh Oooh" has a title that had given me every fear of being a cookie-cutter effort for the kids, but in no way is this the case. This is intelligent, soulful and befitting with the rest of the album. "Everyday Love" ups the stakes again and possibly has the most contemporary feel, along with a spoken part – I won’t call it rap. It’s more adult than that. I cannot recommend this album enough. Its one for the romantics out there and for those who like sheer unadulterated quality soulful music. Available from CD Baby.

- Barry Towler