Soul Express CD Review

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Before commenting on this album, the first problem I had to surmount was that I immediately began comparing it to "Paris Rain" and on that basis this does not hold a candle to it.  But this is manifestly unfair, as that is one exceptional album - one of my all-time favourite sets, in fact.   The second was that I am upset that a Lady of the calibre of Brenda Russell has to sign to a UK label and not a Major US label, such as Hidden Beach.  Thank God she is with Dome, though.  Dome is a company that is willing to tread where the US Majors fear to tread.  Think Rahsaan Patterson and Dennis Taylor. 

I am not too sure about the involvement of UK artists where US legends are concerned, though.  Brenda is more than capable of looking after her own musical interests.  Simon Law, "The Funky Ginger" himself, and Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick add their skills, and I know many UK soul lovers adore Bluey, but I think I have to lay my cards down on the table.  I am not really a fan of Incognito.  I find them overrated and are held in more esteem than the US Greats; this is no fault of poor old Bluey, but one tends to tire of such arrant nonsense prattled from those in the UK who know no better. 

I always give credit when its due,  and both men add some real magic to this CD, but the bottom line for me is that soul music is more 'New York' than 'Neasden', 'Philadelphia' than 'Peckham', from 'Chicago' and not 'Camden'. Anyhow, the fact that I highly recommend the CD makes moot of my points, really. 

To begin with, I will highlight the most precious of gems from this set.  Jochem Van Der Saag works alongside Brenda and provides us with a song that is quite sublime, haunting and addictive. The slowed down flanged drumbeats are almost in the Simon Law bag, and Brenda's superior writing skills and head for melody marry well with Jochem's almost esoteric creations and the result is FANTASTIC.  "I Know You By Heart" has to rate as one of the best songs Brenda has made outside her Hidden Beach album.  Lovers of UK, and US soul cannot miss song that is so atmospheric it skims the frontiers of space; this is indeed a KILLER cut.  We stay in the upper stratosphere f or the slinkiness and jazziness of "When You Comin' Back To Me".  Believe me, this is another monumental track and when I play these over and over again I cannot understand why some dismiss Brenda as a MOR artist.  This has always irked me; to class the Lady in this light is the art of superficiality.  However we do, as the Great Oscar Wilde wisely said live in an age of surfaces and I believe this to be symptomatic of this. 

Later on the album we are treated to a STUNNING jazzy composition straight from halcyon days of old, and the DJs such as Robbie Vincent here in the UK will love it.  "You Know Our Day Will Come" is from the troika of Law, Russell and Lee Hamblin and all do a GREAT job, bouyed by Brenda's sheer brilliance, of course.  John Barnes is responsible for the SUPERB US-Adult orientated number, "Let Somebody Know".  Acoustic, gospel-tinged and reminiscent of a songs such as Tina Arena's "Sorrento Moon", St. Paul's "Somebody Like You" and Carole King's recent classic "You Can Do Anything". 

The man responsible for "Paris Rain" was Stephan Oberhoff and he steps in with one gem, "Between The Sun And The Moon" which features Patti Austin sharing vocals.  Very nice.  For me these are the crème de la crème and Dome needs thanking for releasing material of this calibre.  More from your label please fellas!

- Barry Towler