Soul Express CD Review

Imagine Jonathan Butler singing lead vocals for the Tower Of Power and bob’s your uncle you have Mike Jimenez! This gentleman has been around for a number of years, singly and jointly with his band, The Power. The Power features Tony Hernandez on Keyboards, Richard Dominguez and Andre Berry on bass; George Luna and Daniel Bejarano on drums; Walter McKinney, Maurice Ramirez, Vince LaBauve, and Joe Elliott on electric guitar and Rafael Carrion on acoustic guitar. Trumpets are courtesy of John Fumo and Roberto Loya; trombones by Arturo Velasco, Mike Diegeau, and Ken Tussing. Victor Cisneros and Mike Acosta provide the saxy moments and the Latin Congas & Timbales are provided ably by Victor Baez. Phew – what a line up and what a band! These are real musicians and real songs.

BUT this was not a CD that hit me straight away; it did take a few plays for it to sink in, but believe me once the old grey matter realised what it was listening to I could not believe that the album had not hit me first time around. The uptempo tracks definitely smack of TOP – even the jolly old horns are there in full flow – and are very, very happy, infectious and promising little numbers to boot. My favourite cut has to be "Girl Walk Away" which reminds me in places of The Four Tops "Hot Nights", even right down to the melody and opening sax. This is an irresistible groove and has quality written all over it. "Blessing" is where the action starts for me; the horns blow and the happy, joyful groove is as jaunty as you like and then some. We really cannot beat listening to real, live instruments when they are played well and used in the right setting. Superb.

"U Know It" follows a funkier path, full of meaty drum beats and horn licks. I can seriously hear Jonathan Butler singing this. Barbara Jimenez sings alongside Mike on the saxy cover version of Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes’ "Hope That We Can Be 2gether Soon". Great song, but I wish artists would give up replacing letters with numbers it is annoying and rather passé. I hope that we hear more from this talented Lady in the future. For fans of TOP, you can’t go wrong with the brassy and fresh "Just Don’t Want 2 Be Lonely" and the Lenny Williams-ish tracks "The Girl Is Right For Me", and "Someday We’ll Get By" which features Stacie Jimenez. Think "There’s Nothing Like It" from the last TOP album and we’re in the same ballpark. It looks like we’re keeping it in the family on this – and with talents like this who can blame them?

"The Girl Is Right For Me" is an enjoyable dancer and stands apart like a sore thumb from a lot of the dark, dirgy electronic tripe that passes itself off as soul / R&B from the majors these days. There is a mid- 80s flavour to the superb "I Want 2 Thank U" and hints at summer breezes and warm nights. A nice addition, I have found, is the Funk flavoured "Can We Funk" which is very much in the bag of The Average White Band. I’m not too sure about the opening melody, though … reminds me of being sat in a big top. Not one of my favourite places. Electric guitar licks and passionate a nd raspy vocals add a 70s Larry Graham touch too. I would not overlook this album at all; although it did not strike me greatly on first hearing, "The Power Project" really did work on me like a bottle of home-made wine. It snuck up from behind and bang! Varied, energetic, vivacious and colourful, the album deserves its title of "The Power Project". A "Power Project 2" is already out and consists of covers. Should be rather interesting and both sets can be ordered here in the UK from Soul Brother records and www.cdbaby.com. Don’t let this slip away!
- Barry Towler