Soul Express CD Review

This CD is not widely advertised and I was not aware of it's existance until Ismo, the Editor of Soul Express, made me aware of it. If you are expecting a return to the disco hayday of Chic then forget it. I loved that era and their superb work with Nile Rodgers and the late, great Bernard Edwards, and this album really is a separate entity from that time period for which they will always be known. This CD, though, still does see a marked change in the style of these four talented sisters, even from their excellent "African Eyes" set back in 1997. "Style" is a spectrum of sounds that include jazz, rap, R&B and well known and loved standards by the likes of Gershwin. The result is sheer brilliance, and even the youthful rap cut which is actually an ode to Philadelphia and its rich musical heritage appeals to me. This song, "The Philly Song", also bemoans the fact that the music has died and has to come back. Damn right, Sisters!

Well, Debbie, Joni, Kim and Kathy Sledge do their bit to pep up the current trashy R&B scene with this excellent set. Listening to this again and again, I am always thinking of how the songs on this CD would stand great stead as a live show or tour and would certainly appeal to all ages, all tastes and all sets of ears.

For me, the better cuts are the jazzy vocal cuts. If you love the classiness of Nancy Wilson's later musical backdrops, or even Norah Jones, then you will lap up the opening song, "Love's Abyss" which is a KILLER. It's a lazy, sultry Latin effort crammed with real instruments and percussion. This song really is superb and is contrasted well with the party funk of "Style" complete with James Brown's much sampled 1972 classic "Papa Don't Take No Mess" guitar riff.

The following song is a weird, fanciful but totally embraceable mix of Latin flavours, contemporary R&B beats and rap. Eclectic but it somehow works! "Amber's Song" is a KILLER cut by any standard. The real instruments are really set off by a Stanley Clarke slap-bass groove. This is classy, classy and classier still. The sisters' remind me, vocally, of a younger version of The Emotions. This is really pleasing for my ears and the Ladies shine especially on the aforementioned song.

From The Emotions we enter a great En Vogue "My Lovin' (Never Gonna Get It)" accapella moment with the funky "Sass / Nothin' But A Party". The guitar in this has a great Nile Rodgers feel at the beginning and helps solidify a great song which includes hi hat beats and that familiar, fun, new jack swing squeak that was son in fashion in the early 90s. A great dancer and a lot of fun.

For me the most essential song on this CD is the delightfully jazzy "Purple And Gold", a joyful excursion by any standards. Those of you who love vocal jazz in a Latin vein will love this; I can imagine this being on a David Benoit CD - it really is that good.

The CD ends with some delicious covers of traditional songs such as "When I Fall In Love", "My Funny Valentine", Embraceable You" and "Until It's Time". These songs are thoroughly essential and are profusely filled with real instruments and delivered such class and finesse.
What a great album this is and it is only available via their website: www.SisterSledge.com. Worth every penny.
- Barry Towler