Soul Express CD Review  Buy this album from our CD Shop
PENNY WELLS Shine US A.M.A.C Records, 2004 Fertile Ground - Everything to You - Shine - Don't Give Up - Which One Are You? (Interlude) - Stay - Superman - My Love Will Be Yours - Compared To Lovin' You - Free To Walk Away - Meet Again Penny Wells is a young, fresh, vibrant newcomer and has certainly impressed these ears at least. Very subtle and smooth, Penny glides over some fantastically soulful melodies and takes all 11 tracks in her stride. I hear more velvety undertones of Mica Paris in places, and musically we are not far away from the excellent Dalia who delighted us with he "It Ain't Easy" set back in 1997. Not unlike my recent words on Janita, I would say that Penny's song writing was also considered; definitely adult orientated and she nods her head towards the Anita Baker market and reaches a great level of success in so doing. The shuffly, mindful opening song "Fertile Ground" is instantly a winner for me, and is one of the more 'programmed' tracks on offer here. I love this song, and to be honest would have purchased this set for this song alone. My joy was to be increased with the better "Everything To You" which features some tasty drums from Ron Otis and piano from Al McKenzie. "Shine" is yet another instant favourite and compares well with the opening song. The level and tone of the backing music is perfectly symbiotic with Penny's delivery; the resulting experience is therefore highly enjoyable and easy on the ear. Many songs today in all musical genres tend to attack our senses rather than sooth them, and this CD cannot be said to do this at all. Quite a nice change actually not to have to strain to hear the vocals over the bassline! From soulful whispers to jazzy movements, Penny has it all. The inspirational "Don't Give Up" augers well for the rest of the album and will be a favourite of those of you out there who can't get enough of jazzy soul. I certainly cannot get enough of the SUPERB mid 80s sounding quality ballad, "Stay", which would not be out of place on a contemporary album of Pieces Of A Dream during their Elektra days - think "Imagine This" or "We Are One". Some lovely vibes are present on this CD and run throughout the album and these are present on the racy and jazzy "Superman" which is a fun and optimistic jazz number. This contrasts to the laid back "My Love Will Be Yours" which is, to my taste at any rate, the most MOR song on offer. However this is still very much as good as any other offering. Al McKenzie adds some lovely Rhodes to the slightly mechanical "Compared To Loving You" and Penny's lyrics are really great on this - her comparisons of defying gravity and trigonometry with trying to love her man is rather an interesting concept. If I were you, dear, I'd dump him for someone else. I certainly won't bother. I hated trigonometry at school and after all these years that hasn't changed! "Meet Again" finally closes the album with a quality flourish and after hearing this CD I hope that my ears will meet with new music from Penny in the years ahead. Talent like this is too good to just have fade away into the crowd. Please drop by CD Baby and have a listen to the sound bites. You will not be disappointed. - 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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