Soul Express Album Review PRESTON GLASS Street Corner Prophecy (US BCS, 2006) 1) But You Don't Hear Me Though 2) Think Twice 3) Breakin' In A Brand New Heart 4) Ghetto Legacy 5) Hookup At The Heart 6) Street Corner Prophecy 7) Rekindle The Flame (Interlude) 8) Music Is My Heart And Soul 9) Snowball Effect 10) Hit 'Em High 11) Unwind (Interlude) 12) The Deeper You Go 13) Cream Rises To The Top 14) Welcome Home 15) The Weight Of The World 16) One Wonderful Day I have sat on this album for some time – don't ask me why! LOL. As far as I know it’s Preston Glass’s first release as an artist proper; we are all familiar with his excellent productions over the years and I for one was always assured of the quality of an album once I saw his name associated with it. Preston has called in a lot of favours, I imagine, with this album and has cobbled together a veritable Quincy Jones styled talent-a-thon of guests to make an appearance. The guest list is indeed impressive, and all collaborators give 100% to making this a real must of an album. My first star pick is “Think Twice” which features the evergreen tonsils of Al Jarreau. Al sounds as great as ever on this song which he co-wrote with Preston. It is a funky smooth number up to the standard of any track that he has delivered for GRP of late. I for one cannot fault it. Maurice White appears as
guest backing vocalist for the quirky and off-beat “Breakin’ In A Brand New Heart”. This song was not an immediate hit with me, but it is oddly infectious and I promise that it will get you eventually! Tony Lindsay is the featured vocalist (and co-writer) on the traditional styled vocal cut “Hookup At The Heart” (recently covered by David Sea.) We have quite a reflection of Glenn Jones in places which is quite nice, and this has to be the most commercial sounding song on offer here. Preston adds a touch of slinkiness to proceeding with a slyly captivating number that borders on funky jazz. “Street Corner Prophecy” features himself and sassy vocalist Juliette Ashby. The intriguingly titled “Snowball Effect” is in fact a great track featuring the fresh and clean-cut vocals of one Skyler Jett who
has the touch of Calvin Richardson cum Glenn Jones to his voice. I would like to hear more from this gentleman. A blast from the past is Evelyn “Champagne” King (who incidentally has a new CD out sometime this year) who adds her vocal skills to the semi-instrumental “Hit 'Em High”. This is smooth jazz with a raspy edge, I guess! The Lady has not lost one iota of her power and I for one cannot wait for a new album! More old favourites can be found on the happy, snare-driven jazzy hip-hoppy “Cream Rises To The Top”. The Spinners do backing vocals on here and sound great BUT I wish they were better used up front. Better still, let's have a new album, eh?! Jean Terrell is very surprising on “Welcome Home” in that she sounds very akin to Russell Thompkins Jr. I wonder whether he could not make the session? Preston has, as we know, worked with The Stylistics and this would easily slot into their must-have “Love Is Back In Style” album from
1996. The KILLER cut on here which has had tongues wagging here in the UK is the classy midtempo “The Weight Of The World”. Once you hear this song you will not forget it. This is happy, positive, feelgood soul music at its best – something that we don't get much of nowadays. The album is worth it if only for this song alone! Carrying on this happy, uplifting theme is the final cut, “One Wonderful Day”, which features the legendary Johnny Mathis sharing the limelight. This beefy modern groove suits Mathis very well indeed, and although in his 60s he sounds as fresh today as he did when he did back in the 50s. Mathis is a much overlooked artist amongst soul buyers due to the fact that most of his music is classed as 'easy listening' or 'pop'. Check out his outstanding work with Thom Bell, Leon Ware and Nick Martinelli in the 70s and 80s and you'll not be disappointed. - Barry Towler Other CD Reviews 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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