Soul Express Album Review 
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JEFF HENDRICK: Canadian Soul Time, 2005 Celebrate – Old School Party – I Just Wanna Dance – I( Like The Way – Summertime – You’re All I Ever Wanted – She’s So Sexy – Love U Down – One Ya Want – Old School Party (Feat. Spek) I was, on the strength of his debut CD, really looking forward to this sophomore set. I have not been let down or disappointed in any way at all. In fact, I think it is actually stronger and more consistent than his previous album – and if you remember I really liked that set!!! Again, Jeff is unapologetically positive in his music making; happy, uptempo boogie tunes that should get the heart swelling, the feet tapping and the smile spreading on your face. Jeff is blue-eyed soul of the highest calibre and any doubting Thomas out there should be silenced by "Soul Celebration". Mainstream R&B seems very serious and dark to me, and has no warmth, no heart and definitely no soul. Jeff has enough of this in abundance, and I promise that his work will put faith back into real soul music for you. For those who are unaware of his type of groove, think late 70s / early 80s with a modern flourish a la Zhané "Groove Thang" or "Saturday Night". In other words – essential!!!! "Celebrate" does exactly what it says on the tin: an unabashed boogie-tune, which should be partied to. He’s right, of course, we all worry too much. We should all celebrate and have a good time. The world is always attacking us, demanding our attention. Let this song, and the sentiment behind I, allow you to relieve yourself of these burdens. The halcyon days of Keni Burke and other classic early 80s dancers flood into my memory when music had spirit. Jeff has a clarion call to take things back to how they used to be when the music moved him. "I don’t want to hear no CDs, everything from LPs" he states and calls for some Philly Soul. The horns that accompany this, as well as the dreamy keyboard refrain really is tip-top. With "I Just Wanna Dance" Jeff still has his dancing shoes and has a great, funky rumbling underpinning it to boot. Again, the groove of "I Like The Way" is fantastic. The warm rhodes keyboards are very subtle in this, but when paid attention to add an extra dimension to a tasty and quirky stepper. "Summertime". I cannot wait for summer. Lots to do in the garden, and plenty of places to take the kids, but Jeff also invokes some great ideas with rollerbladin’, basketball and barbeques – and of course summer ladies. Won’t find any of them in my potato patch, I’m afraid but at least I should have the sunshine! Should being the hopeful word, there. The tempo drops a little for the excellent Dino type effort "You’re All I Ever Wanted" and is excellent – yes, those keyboards are there again! The funkiest effort has to be the jiggly, rattly and vibrant "She’s So Sexy". I like the use of percussion and keys here. Jeff really is comfortable with this warm, goodtime groove and I really look forward to more like this in the future. Saying that, I would like to explore further the more downtempo material that is in rather short supply – BUT when he does attempt it here it is FANTASTIC. I am a sucker for the type of quality soul that Elektra etc released in the 1979 – 1982 period…"Love U Down" really is there amongst it and the warm fender rhodes take me straight back to the days of Twennynine, Chameleon, Leon Ware and Leroy Hutson. Superb. This is my choice, killer tune and already it has made my list of favourites for 2006. The tempo ups a bit for the excellent "One Ya Want" and a remake of "Old School Party" but features an not unpleasant rap from a chap called Spek. There has already been a wealth of great music released in 2006 – this set definitely rates as one of my choice releases so far! ESSENTIAL SOUL. -Barry Towler Other Fresh CD Reviews 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 |