Soul Express CD Review

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It is an unbelievable 35 years since The Persuaders entered the heart and minds of soul lovers with their hits "Peace In The Valley Of Love", "Love’s Gonna Pack Up" and "Thin Line Between Love And Hate". It now, after a gap of far too many years, the guys return with a glittering album of quality adult-orientated soul music for 2006. You know, I love to discover a new, young artists who carry on the legacy and hold true to their history and culture, but I also love it when old friends from the past – who you never expect to grace the new release lists – pop up out of nowhere and delight.

This is exactly what Richard Poindexter and the guys have done. Stores in the UK such as Soul Brother and Crazy Beat have picked up on this gem and are equally forward in their praises, so its great to add my words of approval and sing from the same hymn sheet. I have always leaned towards powerful, rough and gritty vocalists as to me they let rip their soul in an explosive fashion. That is what we have here – good old fashioned, traditional soul vocals set in a quality 2006 setting. The Unifics managed this recently and is a set still spun in my house today, and so the Persuaders new set will join it in its frequency in the CD player.

The harmonies displayed throughout this CD hark back to the sweet soul era, and the sensibility is definitely what the ‘wet behind the ears brigade’ would deem "old skool", but let’s not take that on face value. The guys have not sat on their laurels and they have moved with the times but have still retained that certain magic which, I think, has a foundation in strong writing. With Richard Poindexter what else could we expect. I think this man is a lyrical master and he should be exulted more than he already is.

The album does not take prisoners and hits hard from word go. The title song kicks in with some superb harmony, an irresistible groove and some vocals that would please anyone who finds the likes of Gene Rice a must. This is also true for the excellent midtempo cut "Never Stop Loving You" as well, and I promise that this will not disappoint. This is group soul at its best. The song that really has me hitting repeat is the superb "Don’t Think I Won’t Leave" – this is traditional, real adult R&B served in today’s clothing at its very best. I cannot get enough of this song and it will definitely find a place in my year’s end listing.

I mentioned lyrics earlier – I like in particular the monologue at the outset of the sexy and sensuous "What About You" – very clever indeed. How many younger minds could even think of such comparisons? Yep, you’re right. This sort of song would not have been out of place on the last – and thoroughly essential – set from the Main Ingredient.

I found "Mama" an intriguing song. The groove is as perky as they come, and the song is very clever as it deals with bereavement in a positive way that is precautionary more than maudlin. Had I gone through such a trauma I don’t think I could manage to write and deliver something as good and poignant as this. An excellent and intensely personal track and well executed to boot. Odd, really that soul music comes from the heart and many people identify with love songs as we all – I hope! – fall in love and have relationships, good or bad. The other part of life that seems almost taboo in song writing is death. Good then that the guys tackle it with such panache.

I move onto the beautiful flute-laden "This Time Next Year which for me has a great Philly flavour to it. The meandering piano could almost be Leon Huff and the style and lyric falls into the Bunny Sigler bag of song craft. If that’s not a recommendation I don’t know what is!

Following this is an interesting beat ballad that has a foundation in today’s hip hop flavour, complete with post-modern crackling vinyl effects. The tapping beat soon leads into a more well-rounded type of soul groove with scratchy guitar, piano and expansive synth. Lovely! "I Don’t Think So" falls into a mid 80s dance groove – not my favourite track but the quirky keyboards, bongos and raspy, soul tearing vocals are enough to shave the bottom off my lounge door!

I rather like the cover of "A House Is Not A Home" too – I can hear the Dells doing this; their style is remarkably similar on this song. "Hypnotized" is another Dells moment – the harmonies are spine-tingling and the brass is perfectly matched. Seventies sensibilities prove yet again that they are timeless. Original group member Will B. Holland joins the group for the excellent socially conscious belter "All The People". Harold Melvin would appreciate this sort of groove and would definitely approve of this effort. Let’s hope people are listening. I am thrilled to bits with the Persuaders return, and I for one think that you will need little or no persuading in purchasing this CD. Not to be missed.
- Barry Towler