A sweet
solo record from Philly singer Carla Benson – a vocalist you'll probably know
best for her role in the Sweethearts Of Sigma trio, where she backed up
countless soul singers in the 70s! The set's a new one, but has a nicely
classic vibe – done in more of an 80s Philly modern soul mode, with production
and arrangements by Butch Ingram that nicely match his other recent work for
the Society Hill imprint. Carla's vocals are richly expressive – maybe more so
now than ever – and the set is mostly mellower numbers and midtempo cuts, with
titles that include "You Show Me", "I Dreamed A Dream",
"You Should Be Here", "Autumn Leaves",
"Outstanding", and "Ready For Love". ~ Dusty Groove
First Time Ever on CD Release. Includes 4 Bonus Tracks Liner Notes by Alex Henderson Re-Mastered using the Original Master Tapes by Sean Brennan at Battery Studio s New York Bobbi Humphrey's major-label swan song eradicates the final traces of jazz remaining in her music's elemental makeup. Produced by Ralph MacDonald and William Eaton, The Good Life is a 1979 straight-up R&B record. Humphrey always embraced commercial sounds and sensibilities regardless of jazz conventions, but this music is simply too slick for comfort. Her skills as a flutist remain exceptional, which gives The Good Life the funky grooves and gossamer textures that buoyed her classic Blue Note sides. The Good Life is quite an unashamedly commercial album for Bobbi Humphrey as she has drops the high class approach of her earlier albums and opted for making a full-on in-your-face disco album. This is a big fat disco cliché, even right down to the electronic bongos, But my bet is you'll be so impressed that you'll make an easy move to get some of the Good Life. ~ Amazon
The
wonderful return of Philly Cream – a group who made some great records at the
end of the 70s, and who seem like they haven't missed a beat at all! The style
here is really in the old school Philly harmony mode – maybe the modern soul
variant, with some slight contemporary touches in the instrumentation – but an
overall feel that has all the vocals coming together wonderfully! Old group
member Art Austin is working here with younger female singers Simone Talley and
Adrienne Aje – and the record has plenty of musical support from Ingram, with
Butch Ingram at the production helm – in a similar mode to the other great
recent sides on Society Hill. Titles include "Somebody Told Me",
"A Beautiful Morning", "Crystal Blue Persuasion",
"Slow Down", "Cowboys To Girls", and "I Still Haven't
Found What I'm Looking For". ~
Dusty Groove
No comments:
Post a Comment