Soul Express Album Review COGNAC: US David Recordings, 2006 1) Intro 2) Blast Off 3) Teach Me 4) Never Hate 5) Lose Everything 6) Heaven Lnows 7) Look So Good 8) Stranded Into (The Question) 9) Stranded 10) I'm Open 11) For The Moment 12) So Necessary 13) Vibe Tonight 14) Outro This release follows Brown's Bag essential release and comes courtesy of Soulchoonz. Whereas the Brown's Bag release was firmly rooted in traditional soul music, this album enters into a more contemporary R&B feel. Don't let this put you off. Cognac (not the same artist from the 70s) on his debut release has already alerted me to his excellent songwriting prowess. This is something that most R&B artists today simply cannot do. Cognac has an ear for interesting arrangements, a soulful and exuberant youthful delivery and songwriting skills that set him apart from his contemporaries. If Donnel Jones appeals to you – and he has written some cracking adult-orientated material, believe me – then this will also be of interest to you. The opening intro may be a bit too urban and Radio 1 for many, but I am rather interested in the intricacy of the beats which speaks to me of more intelligence than some young buck with a super-engineer/producer thumping info into a drum machine. The title song is very strong indeed and will appeal to both old and new soul heads. The soaring galactic sounds and the warm keys ally perfectly with the warm, percussive rhythm, coming together thanks to the fantastic backing singers. I cannot stop playing this song and for me is one of the strongest tracks to come out thus far in 2007. “Teach Me” reminded my wife of a track by a group called the Blessed Union of Souls. No, I haven't heard of them either but needless to say that it is a very good offering with a laid back, muzzy keyboard and lazy beat. The keys make it for me, and the jazzy edge that the piano gives adds another level to it. “Never Hate” ranks alongside the title cut for its ability to grab the attention. Cognac shows us that he has a lot more to offer than many when he produces material of this calibre. I mentioned songwriting earlier as being one of this gentleman's strongpoints. Take “Lose Everything” as exemplification of this. I'd say that it was more of a narrative than a song, though. I cannot imagine what Hurricane Katrina must have been like to have lived through, but Cognac paints a vivid picture as real eyewitness to this event. On a personal note having seen very recent footage of New Orleans STILL in a mess, I think that the richest Country in the world should hang its head in shame in allowing these lovely, wonderful people to suffer like this. All part of the plan, though, as anyone who's researched into it will tell you. It is nothing short of criminal, and my hat comes off to this man to putting his experience into song and giving us a feeling of what it is like to literally lose everything. My next favourite is the dreamy and bass-drum peppered “I'm Open”. OK, it is very modern but the gent carries it off and has a voice that we know can handle this and a lot more. He's showing a diversity of ability and the ambience of this I find rather appealing. Also, the sheer sexiness and retro vibe of “For The Moment” works for me. Perhaps traditionalists may not go for this, but there is a lot of promise within the boundaries of this. As a debut album this is very good. Cognac has displayed that although his approach is more youthful and contemporay R&B, he has proved that he is no vocal or lyrical lightweight. He reminds me of another Kino Watson but with more of a firm footing. I will watch with interest to see how this man progresses. Please check www.soulchoonz.com for information / purchase. -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 |