Soul Express CD Review FREDDIE JACKSON - It's Your Move (US Martland Entertainment, 2004) Natural Thang - You Only Get (One Love) - How 'Bout Us? - Its On Tonight - Let Me Know - Say Yeah - Sealed With A Kiss - Over And Over - Its Your Move - Don't Give Up (On Our Love) - I Do - Stay - Natural Thang (Smooth Jazz Mix) - One Love (Remix) This is Freddie Jackson's first studio set since 1999's "Life After 30" an we find him more at home with this CD, as it is more settled in the ballad tradition. Fans of the great, great gentleman will be happy with this CD, and in many respects it is true to his style and delivery from days of old. In other respects it is more low-key and bare-boned in that modern 'independent' sort of way, and this was a bit of a struggle for me to reconcile Freddie's vocals with this more discreet production style. My lament, personally, is the fact that Paul Laurence and Barry J. Eastmond are not involved on the project. That, for me is certainly a shame. Still, I love Freddie's music full stop but I will be honest and warn that this set did take more listens to get used to than I had anticipated, but the set is very, very clever in that it grows on you with each play. I was, though, instantly struck with "Natural Thang" which is CLASSIC Freddie Jackson; this immense track is co-written and produced by "Lowdown" hero Bob Baldwin. This song is as fresh as the spring breeze that I so love when driving through my local countryside; quietly intoxicating and thoroughly wholesome! I can say, hand on heart that alongside Sheree Brown's "I'd Rather Be In Love With You" this is a track of the moment that I cannot get out of my head. I have it on repeat play more often than not. Track two is another instant love of mine, and I hear Atlantic Starr in the mix here (expect a new CD from them this year!) with their great late 80s mid-tempo sound. To be fair, folks, this CD is worth a purchase for the first two songs alone. The remix of the song at the tail end of the CD is far meatier and dancefloor orientated and apart from the rap is quite an 80s dancer, worthy of being played loud! "How 'Bout Us?" was not an instant hit for me, but its rumbly groove and modern arrangement soon made sure that I had flicked back with the old remote control; a song that we would not usually associate with Freddie, but vocally the Man is top-rate and the male / female backing vocal refrains are great. Back to the mid-tempo front is "Let Me Know" which is reminiscent of Keni Burke's more funkier offerings on Expansion; indeed, this would not be amiss on the new set from Kalvin Bishop. Track six is "Say Yeah" flows along a slinky, jazzy, smoky-room kind of vibe that we can identify with his "Me & Mrs Jones" cover from his 1992 set. Quality stuff, Freddie. Talking of quality, I must mention "Over And Over" with its brooding bassline, piano and guitar. I love this song, and again this was not an instant ear-grabber. Subtle is the key, and gently does the CD draw us in closer and closer until we end up with tunes stuck in our head, taunting melodies while driving or at work. Freddie takes a more modern R&B beat-ballad approach on the title track of the album and settles in very well with it I must say. This should be received well on radio in the US. "Don't Give Up (On Our Love)" treads a similar path and works equally as well. I imagine that a natural single release is "Stay" which interpolates Deniece Williams' "Free" turning it into a fresh, cheerful, 80s style stepper. Again, this took some time to hit me, but it has and now I thoroughly enjoy it. There are two remixes that close up the album, those being "Natural Thang" and "You Only Get (One Love)", the latter being the better of the two with a brilliant mid 80s vibe, as aforementioned. This set is far more consistant than his previous set, but cannot compare to his halcyon Capitol days. That said, it would be wrong to compare, as Freddie is the last person who would want to be stuck in a musical rut. Progressive, yet true to the man is what I would say about this set. Overlook at your peril. - 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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