Soul Express Album Review TIM DILLINGER: The Muse US Icon’s Pen, 2006 1) The Road I Chose 2) That’s The Kind Of Love 3) I Wish 4) You’re Gone 5) The Universal Source 6) Never Let Them (Change You) 7) (I’m Not) Colorblind 8) Tell Me That I Can 9) I Looked For You This Morning 10) That’s The Kind Of Love (Reprise) (with FRANK McCOMB) 11) It’s In The Air 12) That’s What I Feel 13) You Are My Joy 14) I Will Stay 15) Ode To The Muse 16) Seasons Interlude 17) Seasons Of Change You may remember my review and subsequent interview with Tim back in 2004, and we spoke then about future projects. We saw some real insight into this real soulful gentleman, and it is with great pleasure that I write about his new album, "The Muse". This is not a mere CD, it is a serious project conceived with love, patience and a wish to communicate to the listener at every possible level. It is a solid, must-have album and no mistake about it. We have real singing, real instruments and more importantly intelligent lyrics. This is forefront from the word go; "The Road I Chose" lays out the policy stall of this album in a very classy way indeed. I hear volumes in this short-spoken intro and man does it speak to me. Cleverly orated by Jeff Obafemi Carr, he goes on to pitch his stall and says confidently "I never doubt the road I chose". I certainly don’t either and thank heavens to betsy he’s travelling on it as many simply go the easy way. Tim is an open book with regards to his loves and musical influences. It is, I feel, as praise to Earth, Wind & Fire that we have the SUPERB "That’s The Kind Of Love" is borne. Simply put, this is one of the most soulful, essential and classy cuts so far this year. ESSENTIAL. "(I’m Not) Colorblind" is an interesting take on racial differences and is a great positive statement of diversity and celebration. A big thumbs up to this and the excellent input of the great Frank McComb on "That’s The Kind Of Love (Reprise" too! I was hoping for more input and possibly a lot more vocal interplay but maybe on the third album? What a lovely reprise, though and a shame it isn’t’ a few minutes longer. I also am pleased with the funky Isley-ish "It’s In The Air" and brassy "That’s The Way I Feel". My favourite of all has to be the SUPERB "You Are My Joy". This song is as great as anything I could ever wish for at the moment. The vocal arrangement is out of this world and I really cannot stop playing it here, at the gym or in the car. This sort of song proves beyond any doubt – not that I had a modicum of that anyway – that Tim Dillinger is a serious talent. Records like this make me feel glad to be alive, and from a grumpy old git like me that’s some recommendation! The CD carries on in a classy fashion and ends superbly with the powerful ballad featuring Gospel legend Daryl Coley. This is a perfect mix of Brian McKnight’s more thoughful, melancholic tracks and Stevie Wonder’s more introspective cuts. In short, this album is a real must and should be approached with gusto as soon as you are able to do so. ESSENTIAL. -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 Other CD
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