Soul Express CD Review THE SUNBURST BAND: – Until The End Of Time We Will Turn You On - Until The End Of Time - Twinkle - SB Rock The Go Go - Love Trouble - Fly Away (Part 1) - Flay Away (Part 2) - Far Beyond - Just Do It - Thin Air - He Is - Everyday - Strollin' (UK ZR Records, 2004) This CD is a BRILLIANT example of quality soulful dance / house at its very best. The colourful cover artwork sums up the feelings this CD encapsulates. I cannot begin to start when pouring accolades onto this outstanding dance CD. As a lover of quality black music from all eras I consider this CD to be thoroughly essential and should appeal to anybody who adores real grooves. This heady brew treats us to superbly crafted steppers that are an exhilarating mix of Salsoul flavours, the Chic sound and the best disco sounds of the 1977 - 1980 period. I hear elements of Fat Larry's Band, D-Train, the Universal Robot Band and heaps and heaps of THAT Mizell Brothers' synth that I just can't get enough of (it always reminds me of the theme tune that used to be used on '70s lunchtime UK TV show "Paint With Nancy". I hope that has not ruined it for many older readers!) Moreover, this CD is great FUN. Fun, infectious and happy, goodtime grooves is something that was once plentiful but is now seriously lacking. The real and proper US house / garage movement are still carrying the standard - the likes of Blaze, Ron Carroll, Master At Work and Miguel Migs are releasing some cracking house flavours, and definitely NOT the dross that your average teenager listens to! I would say that there are a few crafty samples here and there, but the band do play their own instruments and do it jolly well to boot. Joey Negro oversees this CD and ensures that the partytime flow does not stop. For me there are no fillers and no throwaways, but I do have favourites. The opening stomper features Norma Jean from Chic and it is so obvious that she loves this kind of groove. I hope the new Chic album this autumn will be as good as this and better than their last effort in 1992! The superb brass elements in "Until The End Of Time" are provided by The London Horns and Jim Knight's sax solo is very good indeed. Love the percussion, too! Our old friend Linda Clifford deolivers the goods with the funky 70s based "Twinkle". It's only the stars that shine on this - Linda is simply amazing! These Ladies on here show the young generation of pretty little R&B squeekies and whiners the door and no mistake. If the Go Go beat is to your liking then the early 80s party groove of "SB Rock The Go Go" will offer some high modicum of delight. What really works for me is the excellent flute work and chord changes. For sheer fun and indulgence check out the blaxpoitation groove of "Love Trouble". The sampled ministry of the representive of soul is just the ticket. "Fly Away" comes in 2 parts - the first is a slapping, stomping house / garage groove with an Earth, Wind & Fire feel and for me the track comes into its own on Part Two…an obvious sample but a FANTASTIC slice of Mizell magic complete with slap bass and astro-space effects. My favourite of all favourites is the ESSENTIAL "Far Beyond". This song makes me feel so happy, so invigorated that I cannot describe how essential to me it is. Thank you Joey Negro, thank you Sunburst Band! Thank you for bringing back 1980 TODAY! Other dizzying cuts include Lucy Martin and Norma Jean's "Just Do It" and Taka Boom's "Everyday" which I first heard on Richard Searling's excellent "Soul Sauce" a few months ago. This is an amazing CD and I cannot recommend it enough. I only wish that I could hear more quality dancefloor stuff like this. Those who are solely into this bland, repetitive R&B / Rap dirge really do not know what they are missing. Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing! MANDATORY. - 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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