Soul Express CD Review

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This was a CD that many people have waited so long for; it has been 10 years since Conversation Peace after all, and so what has Mr. Morris dealt us? I had already read and spoken to people whose responses were either ecstatic to the point of orgasm, and others who really do not rate it. Someone said to me in no uncertain terms that “ the album is dreadful. I don’t know what’s wrong with the man”. Make of all this what you will. All I can say is that I do love this CD, but my level of acceptance falls somewhere between these two poles.

Although Stevie Wonder has not wholly reverted to his classic style of composing that he did so well in the 1970s, this album is definitely not of the standard of much of his later material either. When you listen to the album all the way through one can hear that the genius is still there, the chord changes really are in tune with his finest 70s efforts, and the melodies and vocals are FANTASTIC.

Importantly, we do not have a 21st Century equivalent of “I Just Called To Say I Love You” so that is a definite plus in anybody’s book! Stevie’s classic style has, I guess, been updated and no better illustration of this comes with the superb “If Your Love Cannot Be Moved” which features Gospel singer, Kim Burrell. The two singers really are matched, and from this union I would LOVE to hear a set from this Lady produced by Stevie himself.

This song was a great appetiser enough; quality through and through, but nothing could compare me for the BEAUTIFUL “Sweetest Somebody I Know”. This is without doubt an amazing track, and I cannot stop playing it. What beautiful lyrics, a lush, sophisticated, light Latin, melody and has Stevie vocally right in the pocket. How anybody cannot warm to this CD I really don’t know. This song is worth the price sticker alone, let alone the jaw-dropping jazzy number “Blue Moon” which is serenely paced with silky smooth backing vocals. This is a classic Stevie moment.

You should all be familiar with the first single, “So What The Fuss”, which is a strong slab of FUNK featuring none other than Prince on guitar. This cannot fail to appeal to any long-term fans of the man. The fact this song did not really receive much airplay on mainstream radio here in the UK is SCANDALOUS. This is a choice jam, as is the second single release, “From The Bottom Of My Heart” and this really is a return to his 70s / early 80s style. I love this song to pieces, and like the aforementioned song deserves to be a hit.

“Please Don’t Hurt My Baby” follows along a very tight and dirty funky path along the lines of “Superstition” and is a MONSTER stepper. Miss this song at your peril.

Stevie, as we know, has a firm and undeniable root in jazz. His duet with daughter Aisha Morris is fantastic. The gentle, swishing tempo and dinner jazz feel is well suited to both singers. More jazzy moments can be found with “True Love” which features the talented saxophonist Mike Phillips.

“My Love Is On Fire” returns to more soulful territory - Stevie has a great selection of backing musicians featuring Doc Powell, Herman Jackson, Hubert Laws and with the legendary Paul Riser arranging and conducting the strings. Lynn Fiddemont adds her vocals alongside a number of talents including long-time associate, Keith John. Again, there is nothing about this song that you could possibly dislike. Again, this quality runs unstoppable with Munyungo Jackson, Nathan East, Paul Jackson, Rickey Lawson and Dave Blumberg orchestrating the strings. This is a superb track and another song in heavy rotation at home.

“Shelter With The Rain” is another quality song to rejoice in, and a typical Wonder composition. Narada Michael Walden appears on drums, and Gospel golden boy, Kirk Franklin, oversees the brilliant Gospel choir. The only songs on here I don’t really feel are “Positivity” and the title song which features India.Arie. This must have been a dream come true for India as she is a MASSIVE fan of Stevie. This socially orientated track is OK, but I feel that it is misplaced as the final cut on the CD.

So, all in all I have to conclude that this has to be - for me at any rate - is the best Stevie Wonder album since the 1970s. It is consistent, is undeniably Stevie and those who love his 70s material will definitely be touched by this album. The roster of musicians is second to none and this will definitely be in my list of favourite CDs for 2005. Thank you Stevie, thank you also to Sylvia Rhone and all at Motown too. Mind you, I don’t care for the new label. Deary me!
- Barry Towler