Soul Express CD Review CHARLIE WILSON Charlie, Last Name Wilson US Jive, 2005 Magic - Charlie, Last Name Wilson – So Hot – Let’s Chill – No Words – Floatin’ – Asking Questions – What If I’m The One – You Got Nerve – Thru It All – My Guarantee – Cry No More I always welcome a new album from Charlie Wilson. What a voice this man possesses; the voice that launched countless copycat artists in the New Jack Swing days, before that style became known as what we bravely call R&B. This is a very interesting album in that it expertly moulds styles into an album that will cater for both fans of old and whippersnappers alike. Chicago’s R Kelly has overseen this album and I think we are seeing a more evolved R Kelly as time progresses. He works well with Charlie and manages to cross the age boundary very well. Cuts such as “Magic”, “Charlie, Last Name Wilson”, “No Words” and “Let’s Chill” will appeal to older ears and “So Hot” featuring some rapper called Twista, “You Got Nerve” with the distinctive and unmistakeable Snoop Dogg and “Floatin’” featuring Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am from the Black Eyed Peas will do the business for the twenty-somethings who would normally relegate the likes of Charlie Wilson to the dustbin of music history. Although I do NOT like these tracks one jot I can see what everyone is attempting to do, and it would be very fair to say that Charlie deals with these recordings deftly and he does not sound out of place. Anyone who has followed this gentleman’s career should not be surprised or overtly shocked by this album. For my money it is not the best thing he has recorded – not by a long chalk – but a number of songs really are worthwhile, and one in particular has had a LOT of play throughout the summer at home when I first had an advance taster of this set. “Charlie, Last Name Wilson” is the first single to be released and was not an immediate favourite of mine. It is VERY R Kelly but after a few spins it really did start making a positive impression on me. I really and honestly like this now, and I hope it does Charlie well. I have to say that “Uncle” Charlie has been more respectfully conjured up than the ridiculous alter-ego of Ronald Isley, “Mr. Biggs”, so we must be thankful for small mercies. The likelihood is that “Magic” will be the second song lifted from here, and that will be great as it is a real cracker. This gentle stepper is both classic R Kelly and classic Charlie Wilson in one felt swoop. I really love this song, and chances are you will too. It was inevitable, I suppose, that we would eventually have a cover of “Let’s Chill” which was a classy Guy track from 1990. Aaron Hall does owe a LOT to Charlie Wilson and on this version Charlie not only does a good job he makes it his own – musically – and much improves it. “No Words” owes a lot to 70s Stevie Wonder without it being a complete and utter apeing. R Kelly is responsible for this clever, quality ballad. If only he would be as adult in all his work as he was with this effort. Well done, that man! Another very nice effort is the slick, smooth “Asking Questions” which will definitely appeal us older, more refined ears. The Underdogs (no, I don’t know either) produce a nice ballad “What If I’m The One” but does not reach the parts that “Magic” reaches! More quality resides with the melancholic “Thru It All” which (I think!) is co-penned by a certain Eric Roberson. This was not the album I would have liked from Charlie, but as expected he literally produces the rabbit out of the hat with a number of tunes, “Magic” being the best of the bunch. Please do not overlook this album as I feel that you will be missing out on some very nice work. Although there is no “Confess Your Love” or “Wednesday Lover” on here there is enough to satisfy all portions of the fickle and tumultuous record market today. Recommended. - Barry Towler The Latest CD Reviews 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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