Soul Express CD Review THE STYLISTICS Hurry Up This Way Again / Closer Than Close /1982 (UK Edsel, 2005) Driving Me Wild – And I’ll See You No More – Found A Love You Couldn’t Handle – Maybe It's Love This Time – Hurry Up This Way Again – It Started Out – I Have You, You Have Me – Is There Something On Your Mind / What’s Your Name? – I’ve Got This Feeling – Mine All Mine – Habit / Searchin’ – Its Only Love – Closer Than Close – Almost There / We Could Be Lovers – United – Call On You – My Heart – Always Something There To Remind Me – You’re Leaving – Don’t Come Telling Me Lies – Lighten Me Up These three albums, I feel, were not given anywhere near enough credit that they deserve. These followed a period of hit-making with H&L that spawned a number of hits under the eye of Van McCoy. I happen to agree with scribe Tony Rounce on his summary of that period. Please read the liner notes for this! Although these albums are far superior to the H&L material, these do not touch the magnificence of their early 1970s work with the legendary Thom Bell. Thankfully Thom Bell was at hand again and adds his unique, magic touch to a number of songs, the most impressing to me is the stupendous “Closer Than Close”. This is a classic Thom Bell moment from 1981 and matches the high quality material he gave to Deniece Williams, The Temptations, Lou Rawls and Dee Dee Bridgewater at the same time period. Dexter Wansel is one of my favourite artists (please check out his new CD on CD Baby!) and his productions here are just excellent. “And I’ll See You No More” really captures the warm, sweet soul vocal sound of the group but also encapsulates the unique Philadelphia International sound that we all know and love. If this isn’t classic enough the gorgeous Philly ballad, heavily laden with strings, harp and trademarked guitar all cram nicely into “Maybe Its Love This Time”. Tracks like this make me mourn the fact that this sort of material is no longer made. “Hurry Up This Way Again” musically comes across more as a Teddy Pendergrass song but Russell and the gang do great service to the tune. This is still a very popular song today and credit to all parties for this seminal piece. 1981’s “Closer Than Close” was not an essential album bar that classic, classic song that I have already highlighted. “Searchin’” is a very nice midtempo number which would have suited contemporary hit-makers McFadden & Whitehead pretty much and is also supported by the more tender and relaxed Dexter Wansel number “It's Only Love”. Their “1982” album contains the excellent, easy flowing midtempo “We Could Be Lovers” which was also ably covered by the late, great Phyllis Hyman. Both versions of this song are excellent and I think that I plumb more for this version, as the Philly flavour is more dominant. “United” is a very nice ballad complemented with swirling strings and piano and Gamble & Huff worked some real magic here. This was their third and final effort for Gamble & Huff, and also the only album released on the parent Philadelphia International label; the others resting on TSOP. Fourteen years later three members came together for the SUPERB “Love Is Back In Style” and saw the fellas reunited with Preston Glass from “1982”. What I say is please buy this release as it contains some real gems, some hidden, such as the understated yet devastating “You’re Leaving” which owes more to Walter and Scotty Scott from The Whispers than anything else. Also track down their aforementioned 1996 set if you can. Essentail listening too! - Barry Towler 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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