KRUSH: – Krush Sounds To The Street – Slippin’ Away – Just Because – Sweet Thing – A Na ‘Sta Sis (The Resurrection) – If I Fell – World Wide – Wanna Be – Ah Ya Ya – Party Place – I’m On The Outside Looking In – Solo – Miss You – Never Say – Slippin’ Away (Go-Go)
(US Clout, 2004)
If you were big on the live, energetic and real flavours of Unified Tribe you will
definitely love this album. This album contains my ‘ballad of the moment’ among some
others that I consider seriously strong. Krush is a powerhouse combo of musicians,
cohesive and tight, complimented by two very strong vocalists who ooze class effortlessly.
The band confesses to being inspired by a number of artists, and that’s only natural.
The trick is to be inspired by – and not simply be a cheap replica of – the artists so admired.
This is where most UK artists fall flat on their backsides. Not so with Krush. They have their
own sound, and without surrendering that I hear in the first fantastic track echoes of
Jeff Lorber, Earth Wind & Fire and Kool & The Gang.
That isn’t a bad thing at all. Nicely executed and the band collaborate fantastically.
Couldn’t ask for more than that, really.
"Slippin’ Away" is a definite Unified Tribe moment, loose beat, jaunty horns and soulful
vocals. The jazzy piano adds some extra spice to this soulful track. Vocalist Milton Smith
certainly proves himself on this number. The arrangements are second to none, and definitely
more of what we would expect from the Major labels. Should they ever regain their sanity,
of course. The jostling, bouncy modern "Just Because" showcases this quality direction and
production.
Vocalist Heather Liverpool is very tasty on this, and even more so later on.
Although a strong, solid and dependable album I do have my favourites. One of these is the
excellent and supremely soulful "Sweet Thing". This is better than anything the Majors are
putting out right now, and the quality is beyond reproach. Although a lot of albums today
are good, great even fantastic, we have to acknowledge the lack of funding. That is sad and
inevitable today, but I feel that this album manages to buck the trend. I almost get the
feeling of the quality ballads from late 80s Manhattan / Capitol on songs
like this. Something rare and very desirable. This song is downtempo, classy and ESSENTIAL.
Contrasting with this smooth song is the uptempo and jazzy funk of "World Wide" which is a
nice piece of socially conscious commentary. This is good, but cannot stand a hope when
compared to my KILLER track which is "Wanna Be". This is haunting, sensual and showcases
Miriamm Wright’s angelic, beautiful vocal. This song gives me goose pimples and
I’ve nearly worn the CD out by having this song on repeat! Again, this is almost at the
quality end of the major label output of the late 1980s. Superb, absolutely superb.
The cover version of Little Anthony’s "I’m On The Outside Looking In" starts of fantastically
with smooth vocals, haunting synth and slap bass, but then falls into something a bit twee
which is quite sad. If only that intro had been placed onto an original track then it would
have been a lot better! Still a very nice track, but pales in comparison with the SUPERB ballad,
"Solo". I can imagine Skip Martin and The Dazz Band doing this. I love this
Lady’s vocals.
She chews up and spits out all these young female teenage R&B clones without a second
thought. You go, girl! More quality abounds on the excellent "Miss You" which instantly
reminds me of the sort of ballad that Solar would have released in the mid 80s by someone
like Dynasty or Lakeside.
However, I had more from the brassy and ultra soulful and midtepo "Never Say" … the band
are joined by the legendary Al Johnson and he sounds FANTASTIC. I hope that we have
a new album from him soon. His work with The Unifics and Desi this year has been essential.
His essential "My Heart Is An Open Book" in December 1998 was too long ago (this is still
available obn the Clout website by the way!) Let’s have some more solo action, Al, and soon.
Getting back to this album, though, I thoroughly recommend it. It’s a solid, honest album
and the tightness, the closeness and fraternity between these
musicians is superb. This sort of combo is rare today and wherever they appear and deliver
the goods they should be supported.
Please do not overlook this essential album of soul, funk, and a little jazz.
