Soul Express CD Review VAL WATSON: – Urbal (US Thump, 2004) The Corner (Intro) - Pass The Vibe - Earth, Wind & Fire - That's Funked Up (Segue) - The Real (Do Do) (feat. MICHAEL COOPER and BOOTSY COLLINS) - Whether U Know It (feat. JANE EUGENE) - Soul Shack - Do What Come Funky (feat. GEORGE CLINTON) - High (It's My State Of Mind) - Flower (feat. GEORGE DUKE and GERALD ALBRIGHT) - Days Like This - Alright (feat. PATRICE RUSHEN) Another quality release on Thump. Val Watson, for those unfamiliar with the name, is the lead singer of Club Nouveau and very sexy she is to boot. This is not what I expected, but that is not always a bad thing. Vocally, and for the most part, Val adopts a nasal vocal style of the same ilk as Larry Blackmon. This took some getting used to. I originally found this to sound like a hybrid of Eartha Kitt with Phyllis Diller, but with laryngitis. In fact, in some places I am reminded of the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopez from TLC. However, this manic vocal brew has warmed to me a great deal and the style suits the funkiness of the CD and I would say that if you are a fan of hard, 80s funk then you would love this CD. If not, then there are a few delicious ballads that should get the taste buds going. The real gems start for me with a cover of "Earth, Wind & Fire" which is really smooth and not detrimental to the original classic one iota. In fact, it reminds me of the Woody Cunningham flavour from his "Universal Love" album. There are, as with Michael Cooper's set, some moments of pure fun funk and Michael Cooper and Bootsy Collins add vocal support to the SUPERB bass-trembling "The Real (Do Do)". My partner expressed much surprise to my even liking this kind of bass-heavy modern R&B funk style, but I do. I would LOVE to hear this pumped up in a Club with some proper wattage behind it. Michael adds his funky voice and Bootsy…well, is just the Bootsy we all know and love. A pure moment of bliss for my ears, especially when the Zapp-like vocoder crops up again. Britain's very own Jane Eugene from Loose Ends pops up and adds her lovely vocals to the excellent summer vibe of "Whether U Know It" which is a personal favourite of mine, complete with the strings, violin solo and warm, warm Fender Rhodes. This is a head-nodding ballad where Val sings in her ordinary and, in my opinion, far superior voice. An excellent example too of sultry soul for 2004 - a future favourite in the making I think and possibly a tune that will be criminally overlooked by those who are not followers of the funk. There is the rump-shaking funk of "Soul Shack" which on the outset apes the opening of the B-52s hit single from 1990. This is to savour, complete with funky EW&F type guitars and horns. Lovers of Steve Harvey's work with Impromp2 and The Temptations will adore this. The ESSENTIAL "Flower" features George Duke and Gerald Albright on flute and is just a phenomenal song and one of the jewels in the musical crown. The lazy, slinky jazz feel is sublime and Val's classy vocals are amazing on this. Another future in-demander. For lovers of real instrumentation head straight to the jazzy soul of "Days Like This" which features John Barnes on piano and rhodes, Michael White on drums and Gerald Albright on bass. The evergreen Patrice Rushen joins Val on the chunky plodder, "Alright" which is another one for the Impromp2 lovers out there. Gerald McCauley produces the set, alongside Val. Gerald is one of my favourite producers and has set about this style perfectly, though I do prefer his more soulful ballad-orientated approach. If you have not been aware of this producer then seek out and purchase "The McCauley Sessions" CD from 1999 if you can as it is ESSENTIAL listening. Do not overlook this album. - 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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