There are not many artists who can claim a brand-new album release at 84, but Sidney Barnes has never followed the usual path. His latest project, aptly titled Outstanding, is a collaboration with legendary UK producer and Northern Soul pioneer Ian Levine. The album delivers an impressive 18 new recordings plus three previously released bonus tracks, highlighting a career that has spanned an incredible 65 years in the ever-turbulent world of music.
Outstanding includes the monster single Standing on Solid Ground as well as Man in a Million and Dancing on the Weekend, all exemplifying Barnes’ signature blend of soul, funk, and rhythm-driven grooves. Fans will also find standout interpretations of classic material. Heart Trouble, co-written with George Clinton for The Parliaments in 1966, is recorded by Barnes for the first time, while his rendition of Anthony Newley’s Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory showcases Barnes’ tender, emotive phrasing.
Vocals take center stage with four duets featuring London-based Tahira Jumah, including the infectious Diversion and high-energy Back to Back. Additional duets with The Flirtations enrich the album’s texture, creating a dynamic interplay between veteran soul mastery and vibrant collaborative energy.
Barnes’ career traces back to the early 1960s as a Motown writer, with credits for George Clinton, The Jackson 5, The Supremes, and B.B. King, among many others. Over six decades, he has appeared on over 150 albums and compilations, proving himself an enduring innovator of soul music.
Released to coincide with his UK Tour, Outstanding is an album designed to make listeners smile, move, and celebrate life with Barnes’ unwavering vitality. Like the man himself, it lives up to its name.
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