Soul Express Album of the Month - March 2006  Buy this album from our CD Shop
DONALD McCOLLUM: UK Dome 2006 1) Lose My Kool 2) Creep 3) U Don't Want My Love 4) Be Thankful for What You Got 5) You're My Everything 6) You're in My Arms Again 7) Love Will Come Along 8) I Wanna Love You 9) Waiting in Vain 10) Let's Groove 11) I Thought You Were the One 12) Just Be True Produced by Rob Hardt and Harry Zier UK label Dome has provided us a string of solid club-oriented albums in recent years, and this album by Donald McCollum is no exception. In fact, I would argue that U Don't Want My Love is the strongest Dome album to date, and it's heartily recommended to long-time soul fans as well, not only to club-goers. Donald McCollum hails from Chicago, but he has spent the last few years in Europe. He is heavily influenced by 70s soul heroes like Curtis Mayfield, Teddy Pendergrass and Isaac Hayes, and the album also contains a quite impressive reading of the Isaac Hayes song You're in My Arms Again, a slow ballad tune with very Isaac-type of vocalising. Donald also covers William DeVaughn's 1974 classic Be Thankful for What You Got, and I can imagine this updated version getting lots of exposure in the UK Soul Weekenders - I personally witnessed how this swaying sweet soul tune received huge enthusiasm amongst the soul devotees in Blackpool last January, when Lenny Williams performed this anthem live. Still, the main course here is club-oriented soul with funky backings and strong, masculine vocalising. The opening track Lose My Kool sets the mood to the album with its intensive, slow groove and funky vibe, while Donald delivers the powerful vocals and lyrics referring to a lady who makes him sweat. Creep continues in the same, funky mood. However, the catchiest cuts on the album are the uptempo movers U Don't Want My Love (which was released last year as a 12" single) and especially the energetic, extremely captivating You're My Everything. The previously mentioned Isaac Hayes cover and Donald's own, laid back ballad song Love Will Come Along bring a short slow break to the club atmosphere, which continues with another real winner, the sunny and melodic swayer I Wanna Love You. It is followed by a mellow summery mid-tempo ballad Waiting in Vain, whereas I Thought You We're the One is a relaxed hand-clapper. There are no duds on the album, and if you have liked any of the tracks previously, you can safely buy the whole album. Highly recommended. (8/10) – Ismo Tenkanen Soul Express Editor Soul Express Albums of the Month in 2006 Albums of the Month in 2005 Albums of the Month in 2004 Albums of the Month in 2003 Albums of the Month in 2002 Albums of the Month in 2001 Albums of the Month in 2000 Albums of the Month in 1999 Albums of the Month in 1998 Albums of the Month in 1997 Other CD
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