Soul Express Album of the Month - February 1999

Expansion have seriously excelled themselves this time - no doubt about it. Apart from being an accomplished actor, Nicolas Bearde is a darn fine writer and singer. With a very strong distinctive voice, superb songs and real musicians, we are faced with classic sophistsoul territory from the word go. The jazzy and soulful Can We Pretend is a classic in itself as is his interpretation of Jon Lucien's 1973 classic Lady Love, which is very close to the original and further proves the massive vocal prowess of the man. The title cut is a real must, too, and is a delightfully catchy number - such an intelligent and well considered song coming towards us in the clothing of a classy early 1980s soul track - one the collectors would die for!

For these ears, though, the drop dead KILLER is Color Blind, which will blow you away. Imagine the classiest track from the latter part of 1986 - let's say Hush Productions or the Capitol label - but with the vocal qualities and delivery akin to Carl Anderson and delivered with sheer soulfulness and effortlessness then you may get an inkling of how good this is. But you must hear it to actually appreciate it - there's no good simply reading what I've written. This is the sort of track to kill for at all costs and I am quite content to label it as my TRACK OF 1998 so far. If the vocals don't blow you away, then wait for the sax to do the job instead!

The treats continue in the same moulding with Miracle Lover. (And) It All Goes Round and Round can be likened to the top quality classy jazz cut that Will Downing would deliver - and that we would expect Ronnie Foster to produce. No one can afford to miss this CD. Make it a priority and get it now.

- Barry Towler