Soul Express CD Review OTIS COOPER US Behind Gates Entertainments, 2004 On Tonight - Baby I LOve You - "O" Life (feat E-40) - Marry U - Ooh Baby - Miss You - Mary Jane - I Will - Call Me - Putty Pie - Freak You - Sunshine I briefly mentioned this album when I reviewed the Otis & Shugg CD earlier this year. This solo album by Otis Cooper really is a mixed bag and is for me a bit of a bittersweet experience. This is not as classy as the Otis & Shugg, but there is enough comparison for lovers of that set to go for this set. I think my biggest complaint about this album that it is not adult enough. I think the pitch is definitely at the younger market, BUT Otis has the talent and savvy to deal with this competently and therefore appeal it to older ears as well. When I heard this CD I immediately thought about UK pop / soul sensation, Lemar. I think this is a fair comparison and definitely not meant as detrimental at all. Ironically, my favourite track is one such cut that I am mixed about. Musically I was gripped by the funkiness and dirtiness of the groove that will sit nicely with recently reviewed funkers by United We Funk, Val Watson and Michael Cooper. The lyrics, though, are distinctively juvenile and some beats in the 2-bar bag. I am not all that interested in grown men singing about "hanging with my crew". That should be left to the younger urban residuum that knows no better. One track that held a lot of promise was "O" Life" which was almost immediately sent into a nose-dive by some incomprehensible rapper who has what can only deemed as verbal diarrhea. Come on, Otis, you are a grown man! The groove is firmly in the quality Neo-Soul bag and is, for my money, ruined by some rapper who doesn't suit the tone or mood. I guess this is an attempt to appeal to the kiddies. More adult is "Baby I Love You" resplendent with Hammond organ. I am no fan, but the gospel feel definitely fits the testifying nature of Otis' love to this Lady. Nowt wrong with that. This organ always reminds me of 2 old British TV shows (World In Action and the great Dave Allen show), and I will never get over that, I fear! The first respectable quality ballad is the tender "Marry U". I would venture that connoisseurs would happily purchase this set on the strength of this alone. Vocally Otis is a treat and Otis sounds very much like Parkes Stewart in places. Very nice indeed and highly recommended. Similarly "Call Me", track 9, is an aural treat and would sit nicely alongside recent tracks by Shades Of Soul and New Birth. Superb stuff. "Ooh Baby" has a fine 80s sound to it, and I could again bring the Lemar comparisons in again, which may help paint a picture, but is still a very good track indeed so no worries. "Miss You" also fares well, and has a slight Mario Winans feel to it - I am talking about Mario Winans' 1997 Motown set and not the dreadful Bad Boy album from last year just in case you're having palpitations! The smooth groove is ladled with an atmospheric guitar and nice synth underpin. Enough said on that. I was not overly enamored with "Mary Jane", "Puttie Pie", "Freak You" or "Sunshine" which failed to connect with me. Again, a track aimed at the kiddies I think, so if they like that then no problems. As I said, this is a mixed bag, bitter sweet and something that I can heartily recommend even though the main slice of the pie is not to my adult taste. I guess Otis is casting his net wide - I hope he does well, but ask that the bar be raised for his next CD. - Barry Towler The Latest CD Reviews Albums of the Month in 2008 Albums of the Month in 2007 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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