CARLTON J. SMITH SIDE 1: I'd Better SIDE 2:Love
UK Soulchoonz 7” Single, 2007
OK, so its 2007 and her I am with a flamin' NEW 7” single in my paws. Again, a CD Single or mp3
would have soothed my troubled brow more, but I have to say I was seriously impressed with the
quality of this single. The pressing quality is really spot-on, and that from someone who has
suffered with “CD Ear” for almost 20 years.
So, to the music. This gentleman will certainly be a name to look out for.
Carlton J. Smith is very much in the Ward Brown bag and he has cleverly added a
gritty, preaching southern soul sound with Stax sensibilities to a heavier, modern soul type beat.
In fact, its almost genius. The horns – I'm sure they aren't sampled but one can never always
tell – are straight out of Hi Records and the beat is a stepper's dream. A perfect single
release. The flip side treads a similar path.
“Love” simply trips along with a skipping, clapping beat and is an assured radio hit.
Again the horns add some grit to the tight drumbeat and hand clap beat. This man is a serious talent.
When I see so many folks pouring heaps of praise on children's R&B throwaways like Tank (who? What?)
or Lloyd and all these other ephemeral nonentities then its a CRIME that artists like this are
not on major labels either. Thanks to the likes of Soulchoonz and UK radio to know real talent
when they hear it. This, as well as the Confection are very limited indeed so I suggest that
you check these out online and order asap. You do not want to miss out on these – even though
they are on (shudder) vinyl!
- Barry Towler
