Soul Express CD Review

Sean Franks is a dependable artist. He was nurtured in and around talent and exposed to a wide variety of music from a very early age. His musical lineage is unquestionable and the artists he cites as inspiration as wide as they are varied. I was, if you recall, very enthusiastic about his previous album and happily remain in a similar position over this one. In fact, I think that overall it’s a better and more consistent album. The album was recorded, so I understand, between travelling and performing. This explains to me why the set is defined, coherent and very tight.

The band supporting Sean on this set is Dave Patterson, David Scott, Les Falconer, Rob McDonald III and Masa Kohoma. All play a vital role and are superb in their respective fields. Again support is enlisted from other artists such as Greg Poree on acoustic guitar, Stanley Benders on percussion, Vincent Bonham on keyboards and backing vocals are by Patricia Maertens, Molodye Perry, Ken Fleming and Rob McDonald IV. Now we are acquainted with the players, what about the material played? Well, I would say that Steely Dan and Rufus would be a good comparison as both are cited as inspirations for Sean. As I love both groups equally I felt instantly at home amongst the smooth, yet raw style that defines “Guy Like Me”.

The spacious groove and light summery feel are a perfect accompaniment both at home or in the car, and there is only one song that I do not like – that being the cover of Bob Marley’s “Could You Be Loved”. This is purely as I do not care for Bob Marley or Reggae in general and this by no means is meant to rubbish the version here, its just my personal bias, that’s all. Rest assured Sean has done his own thing with this and has not plumbed for a reggae-hinted cover version.

I had been won over by track one, to be fair and anything else to me was a bonus. The fact that “Can This Be Love” is not my favourite should say about the way the bar has been raised on this CD! The really killers for me start with track 2, which is a Rhodes laced number called “Feelin’ You”. I particularly like the keyboards and the mere ghost of a synth in the background; the backing singers jut in at just the right time and make the song very classy indeed. “Missed Again” feels like quite a personal experience song, and one can only commiserate with Sean. Well performed and the music is exquisitely performed by all involved. The warm Rhodes and guitar really make this song the right sort of track for summer. If we’re actually going to get a summer, that is. You should have seen the rain here today. Yikes!

My favourite song, though, is the beautiful “Somebody” which has a lot in it that reminds me of Eric Tagg’s work with Lee Ritenour. Soft, gentle and beautiful is how I would describe this song. I really dig the lyrics to “Run Away” which deals with parents grabbing what relationship they can whilst the little one is asleep. Many young parents will associate the fun and games of trying to keep the home fires burning whilst bringing up young children. Try having 2 or more, that really is some juggling trick I assure you! Seriously though, Sean and his crew are very talented, competent and more than able to satisfy my musical tastes and this fun, energetic track filled with horns and sax really encapsulates the great thought processes that are needed to create quality, timeless music. It sure runs in the family! Available from CD Baby this is, I feel, another inclusion into my albums of 2005.
- Barry Towler