Soul Express CD Review

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I did not hold out much hope for this album, but thankfully I was soon put in my place. I unashamedly adore this artist and was fearful of what this superfine Lady may deliver to us in 2005 after a gap of 12 years. It is a patchy set, but far superior to that last effort for Pendulum, which after listening to never made an entrance into my collection. This certainly has and has received a lot of play from me here at home. I think Meli’sa Morgan has to be a REAL Diva. Yes, let us banter that word about. I don’t particularly like it and it’s a much bastardised term but if that’s the common parlence then so be it. Stand aside, squeeky, glittery all fur coat and no knickers singers, Meli’sa Morgan is a Diva and that’s the end of it. She is a powerhouse vocalist, stylish, has more sass than all the rest put together and is breathtakingly beautiful to boot. There. Does this rank her as a Diva? I jolly well think so.

The set is a homage to the past, it has its feet firmly set in the present and sets out a stall for what Meli’sa feels the future should be. In this she is assisted by the wonderful Ashford and Simpson. There is a monologue about "Old School … New Scool … the class begins here" then we enter a brief yet spine-tingling chorus of "Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing". If that isn’t a clarion call to the music industry then I don’t know what is! Of course she is correct, but as connoisseurs we know this already and it is the young audience that she is aiming this at. To which end there are some real "today" tracks on here that do not appeal to me, but I can see kids getting something out of it.

The anthemic and timeless Flack / Hathaway song "Back Together Again" is given a spirited invocation by Meli’sa and Freddie Jackson, and I must say that a great deal of justice has been done to this. The old magic is still there and this excites me no end. The album is peppered with reverential musical asides to the likes of Aretha Franklin etc, and this is good and helps return some sense of history to today’s scene which has no recollection further back than the last rump-shaking video hit on MTV.

"I Remember" proves my assertion right on Divadom for this great Lady. She is a singer of great stature and power who should be up there with the Greats. I mentioned some modern efforts earlier – "Will You" comes under that dubious umbrella, and should appeal to those who would normally languish around the Beyonce or Destiny’s Child racks. But this Lady is far more talented, that’s the main difference. I soon cast this aside for the SEXY "Feel You". I loved this from the word go with its modern yet very 80s Mtume atmosphere. This is a very candid, explicitly worded song from a Lady who is obviously very at ease with herself and knows what she wants to do to her man! Oh how I envy whoever this chap is!!! Oh well, ‘twas always thus. An essential, dirty, sexy and sensual cut to say the least.

My favourite cut, though, is the SUPERB "Let You Go" which is exquisitely arranged with its 80s sensibilities. The superb, warm fender rhodes also are a staple part of this track and simply add to its magic. Talking of magic I come to "There’ll Never Be" which has echoes of her classic late 80s output for Capitol. This midtempo number is a real gem and is a cornerstone cut on this CD. I defy anyone not to like this song. There’s an interesting housey track as well called "Do You Want It" – on the face of it I was wary but WOW! It works, and if you liked the uptempo works from Masters At Work a few years back, then this will be for you. Excellent real soulful dance music from a real singer.

I think that although the set is patchy, there are more than enough gems on here to warrant a definite purchase. It’s a welcome return for sure, and a return to form. Welcome back!
- Barry Towler