The Soul Express Album Review VARIOUS ARTISTS (UK Soul Brother, 2005) HESTON - If / TRACE ELLINGTON - Let Love In / ADRIANA EVANS - Remember The Love / ANTOINIQUE - Fell In Love / MONET - U Told Me / CONYA DOSS - Just Because / SWAMP 82 feat. NINA PROVENCAL - Falling / RHIAN - Ivory Moon / EMERALD JADE - I Found Love / ALISON CROCKETT - You Know What Happens / MAYA AZUCENA - Like No Other / YEWANDE - Run / THE REAL KOFY BROWN - Keep On Movin' / MARLON SAUNDERS - Love Serenade / MYRON - Darkside / GENO YOUNG - Honeydew The concept behind this CD is pretty solid, citing the classic Atlantic "This Is Soul" compilation from the late 1960s as its inspiration. As far as modern compilations of new material goes, this is rather astute and sound. The chaps at Soul Brother have really taken to the sounds that they rightly call "Organic Soul" and are doing their best to promote it and spread the word - as well as keeping the faith. As we all know, these are not the best of days for black music and it is fitting that it is a British company act as a standard bearer for quality US talent. Many names included on this set have been covered in my own writing - some have been missed due to ever-present financial restrictions, but what I can say is that this release neatly covers this new and burgeoning style of music and helps promote each and every artist included therein. Already Soul Brother have given life to the superb albums from N'Dambi, Marlon Saunders and The Real Kofy Brown and showcase many other talents who deserve to be checked out. A few names were new to me, and a few songs well known. Some tracks I am indifferent to, admittedly, but its all horses for courses and compared to the dross that the industry hysterically label as R&B, this material is far superior to anything you will hear in the mainstream black music arena. I have just realised that I have started sounding like some dear old friends who were avid Voices From The Shadows readers from some 17 years ago. This is concerning! LOL! The difference is that what is now underground was, then, rather mainstream, so we seem to be shifting down a gear but still raising the bar in today's real soul scene. This release harnesses real talents and should that be questioned track one will put any query to bed. Heston is an artist that I never got around to hearing, and this song, "If", is lifted from his now rare EP from last year. This smooth groover has a very nice bass line and highlights how fresh a vocalist he is. Heston reminds me of someone, but can I put my finger on it?! Anyway, someone else worthy of your interest is a gentleman from the great Duke Ellington dynasty. Trace Ellington has been likened to Curtis Mayfield, Sly Stone and Marvin Gaye and that I won't really dispute. I find myself thinking of Eric Benét from his first solo album, musically if not vocally. I love this track and the warm rhodes juxtapose the tapping beat hinting at that great organic sound. I was not favourable to the Adriana Evans' last effort early last year and the guys have chosen one of the better tracks for inclusion here. The uptempo rhythm is tantalisingly Brazilian. Shame about the spouting rapper at the start. Almost kills it off for me before its started. Let's hope her new album is more concerted, eh? Antoinique's CD is a real must-have and was Soul Express' Album Of The Month in April 2004 and was crammed with some fantastic songs. "Fell In Love" was definitely one of the crème de la crème and one to chill to with its head nodding beat and swirling strings. Love those keyboards too! "U Told Me" is my standout cut from the superb Monét CD from last year. The fluid early 80s appeal of this throws up aural images of all sorts of great material from that classic era. That is definitely one CD to get your hands on if you have yet to do so. Conya Doss is another familiar name to those in the know about quality music in 2005. Her "Just Because" is lifted from the CD of the same title which has just been released here in dear old Blighty by another great UK label, Dome. Emerald Jade has an inclusion and needless to say that is one hell of a CD which needs to be in every collection. Enough said about that one. Another CD that has sat on my 'wants list' for longer than I care to admit is "On Becoming A Woman" by the brilliant Alison Crockett. This is a nice track, but the cream cut for me on that CD is the bassy and essential "Crossroads". I can say similarly about Maya Azucena who has a great CD which should also be on your purchases list. "Like No Other" is a very subtle yet powerful little number and I particularly like the early 80s Capitol-like guitar and keyboards that set the backdrop. Superb indeed. The real killer inclusion for me is "Keep On Movin'" by The Real Koffy Brown. I admit to being completely ignorant of this group but after hearing this KILLER track I want to hear more. The groove is dead set in the late 70s / early 80s soul tradition with some fantastic keyboards and riffs. There is a very haunting synth solo part way through too. Raw, soulful, energetic and the title could not be more apt for this most kinetic of tracks. You will not fail to be moved by this track. Soul Brother have released her set here in the UK so that is very good news. We all know and love Marlon Saunders - his "Love Serenade" starts off irresistible and continues doing so for nearly 5 minutes on this 70s styled moody number. Another UK release from Soul Brother. Myron's "Free" album is also essential - as well as STILL being on my shopping list! "Darkside" sounds so much like Rahsaan Patterson that is unbelievable. Far better than his 1998 material for Island too, though I still play "Destiny" to death at home and in the car! Geno Young is a well known name for his association with Carmen Rogers, and if you like her CD then you will like this too. "Honeydew" is a dreamy neo-soul tapper that will weasel its way into your brain and resurface when you least expect it. From these inclusions it is evident that this compilation is essential in itself, but please also use it to springboard into the individual artists and CDs. These artists are doing their own thing, self funding and are doing us a great musical service. Without these types of artists today's music scene would be virtually dead for the likes of you and me. A worthy CD and a worthy array of artists. Essential. -Barry Towler 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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